On Saturday, July 20, the UPEI Physics department in partnership with the Charlottetown branch of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will put on free public viewing within our telescope dome on the top of the Memorial Building. This is a weather dependent event, so please check http://physics.upei.ca/astronomy for any cancellation notice.

Join Dr. Alexander A. Oraevsky, a scientist and pioneer in the field of biomedical optoacoustics, for a research lecture on "Laser Optoacoustic Ultrasonic Imaging System and Biomedical Applications," on Wednesday, August 7 at 2:00 pm in Lecture Theatre A, AVC. Dr. Oraevsky will discuss the principles of operation, methods of signal processing and image reconstruction, advantages, limitations and biomedical applications of a recently developed, combined laser optoacoustic ultrasonic imaging system (LOUIS). The idea of combining the optoacoustic and laser ultrasonic tomography in one modality for the purposes of co-registration of functional and anatomical images drives present developments in the field of optoacoustic imaging. Optoacoustic images can provide natural and useful enhancement of almost every application of medical ultrasound. Deep tissue imaging with high contrast and resolution is the most important niche for optoacoustic tomography, unattainable neither in pure optical imaging or pure ultrasonic imaging. Dr. Oraevsky presently leads TomoWave Labs as Chief Technology Officer holds an adjunct professor position at the Biomedical Engineering Department of the University of Houston. Dr. Oraevsky is the recipient of multiple research awards advancing biomedical applications of optoacoustic imaging, sensing and monitoring. Alexander is the primary inventor of 17 patents, has published five book chapters and over 200 scientific papers dealing with novel laser technologies applicable in biology and medicine.

Join Rob Wickham from the University of Guelph for a lecture entitled “Simulation of dynamics and structure in the disordered micelle regime of diblock copolymer melts," on Monday, July 22, 2013, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. The lecture will be held in the Duffy Science Building, Room 204. All are welcome to attend.

Join the Faculty of Science Graduate Studies Committee for a Master of Science thesis defense on Friday, July 26 at 1:00 PM in the Duffy Science Centre, room 204. Liane Leclair will defend her Master of Science thesis entitled: In vitro reproductive-endocrine, and in vivo immunological responses to extracted oil sands-derived naphthenic acids All are welcome to attend.

Join the Faculty of Science Graduate Studies Committee for a Master of Science thesis defense on Monday, July 29 at 8:30 am in the Main Building, room 113. Christopher Rock will defend his Master of Science thesis entitled: The Synthesis, Characterization, and Analysis of Polynorbornenes Containing Various Organometallic Species All are welcome to attend.

UPEI Athletics and Recreation would like to determine the level of interest from students and community members in forming a power lifting club to be based out of UPEI’s Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. Those interested are invited to an information meeting in the Sports Centre Boardroom on Wednesday, July 31 at 7:00 pm. More information is available by emailing panthercentral@upei.ca or by calling (902) 566-0368.

An opportunity for everyone to see the new University of PEI "Fablab", a community facility in the Engineering Department with 3D printers, a laser cutter-etcher and a milling machine. Come and learn about fabrication, the "maker" movement, and about how you can use this equipment yourself!

The University has engaged an independent panel of three reviewers to conduct an assessment of programs and activities related to Island Studies. Panelists include Dr. Liette Vasseur of Brock University, Dr. Graham Whitelaw of Queen's University, and Mr. David MacDonald, PC. On Wednesday, August 14, Dr. Graham Whitelaw and Mr. David MacDonald will conduct the second site review and meet with as many of the key stakeholders as possible. Interested members of the campus community are invited to an Open Campus Meeting on Wednesday, August 14 from 4:00–5:00 pm in the Kelley Memorial Building, room 211. The Terms of Reference for the assessment are available upon request by emailing dlawless@upei.ca

UPEI welcomes all new students and their families to campus before classes begin on Saturday, August 31 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. It’s a chance to tour campus, pay for tuition and other services, pick up your ID card, kick-off O-Week, shop at the Bookstore, and meet staff, faculty, your Student Union, and new friends! This year’s Welcome Day will also include parent sessions for parents of residence and non-residence students and a barbeque for all from 12:00–2:00 pm. Parent Sessions will take place at: 10:00 am and 1:00 pm in room 243, Don and Marion McDougall Hall 11:30 am and 2:30 pm in room 142, Bill and Denise Andrew Hall (for parents of students living in residence) Join the hub of activity in Schurman Market Square in Don and Marion McDougall Hall where you will find representatives from Residence Services, Registrar’s Office, Accounting, Student Affairs, Webster Academic Services and many more! Join us for Welcome Day so you can be UPEI-ready before classes even start! Check out the video below to see what Welcome Day 2012 looked like.

The PirateBox project, initiated by David Darts, professor at NYU (http://daviddarts.com/piratebox/?title=PirateBox) enables the creation of inexpensive wireless file-sharing boxes that allow the sharing of files with those around you. With a PirateBox you can share files in a classroom, or a neighbourhood, or a restaurant, or from the back of your bicycle, all in a way that is completely self-contained and disconnected from the Internet. On August 18 at Confederation Landing Park the Robertson Library Hacker in Residence, Peter Rukavina, will host a free, informal "Make Your Own PirateBox" workshop. Details and registration are at: http://hacker.vre.upei.ca/make-your-own-piratebox-workshop-august-18-20…