The Lorne Trottier Public Science Symposium is organized in the Faculty of Science through the generous support of Dr. Lorne Trottier "to hold a public forum to inform, inspire debate and raise public awareness on contemporary issues confronting society today." The Symposium Office relocates annually to a Host Department which plays an important role in the assembling of leading scientific experts and the organization of each public debate. The current host department is Earth and Planetary Sciences.
Current Host Department
The Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences (EPS) has a distinguished history in geological sciences. J.W. Dawson, later Sir William, brought geology to McGill when he became 5th Principal of the University in 1855. F.D. Adams, the founder of modern structural geology, joined the department in 1889. Current faculty members conduct research spanning a wide range of disciplines from oceanography through planetary sciences, volcanology and geochemistry, to economic geology. The mission of the Department is to contribute to the body of knowledge on the origin and evolution of the Earth and terrestrial planets, the resources therein, and the environmental consequences of natural and anthropogenic perturbations. The EPS website is www.eps.mcgill.ca.
Organizers
Professor Hojatollah Vali is Associate Professor in the Departments of Earth & Planetary Sciences and Anatomy & Cell Biology, and the Faculty of Dentistry. He is also Director of the McGill Facility for Electron Microscopy Research (FEMR). It was through Professor Vali's research activities in astrobiology and the search for life on Mars that he was able to assemble an exceptional Panel.
A special acknowledgement goes to the following individuals who are members of the organizing committee: Dr. Lorne Trottier, President and co-founder, Matrox; Martin Grant, Dean of Science; Kathryn Peterson, Director of Administration, Faculty of Science; and Carole Kleingrib, Director of Development (Major Gifts); Faculty of Science; all of whom have lent their time and talents to the Symposium over the last few months.
Acknowledgements
Professor John Stix is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences. The Symposium is grateful for the resources and support provided by Prof. Stix and Earth & Planetary Sciences.
Special thanks to Dr S. Kelly Sears of the Facility for Electron Microscopy Research, McGill University for his assistance; and to Professor Brigitte Vachon, of the Physics Department, and Professors Hanadi Sleiman and David Harpp, of the Chemistry Department for their cooperation.
The Coordinator wishes to acknowledge the support provided by the Staff of Earth & Planetary Sciences: Anne Kosowski and Kristy Thornton. A special mention must also go to Victor Chisholm of the Dean of Science's Secretariat who put together our web page!
The Symposium Office
The Symposium Office relocates annually to the Host Department. The Coordinator, Delores LaPratt, can be reached year-round. For additional information contact:
Delores LaPratt
trottiersymposium.science [at] mcgill.ca (Coordinator)
The Lorne Trottier Public Science Symposium Series
Tel.: 514-398-2852