Steve Joordens here,

I am teaching a brand new course this summer called WikiScholar.  It’s a very different kind of course; one in which the students decide the topics.  The idea is that you would work in groups to create Wikipedia pages related to Psych Content … full articles this time.  You decide on the issues you work on, and you work closely with a TA who will help you choose topics, get relevant background research, and who will comment on your article as it gets built.  After doing 4 group projects of that sort (4 or so students per group) you’ll do one on your own … and that will be it … no exams, just creating Wikipedia pages.

This course was intended for those just finishing their first year, and we wanted high performing students … but we had much fewer apply then we expected, and some were upper year students.  So I wanted to promote the course to all of you and say that we’re relaxing the GPA level mentioned in the course description … if you have anything higher than a 2.7 and you think the course sounds interesting, please consider it.  Note that you will have to attend classes though, so it only works for people who will be around.

I have no idea how many more might register after reading this message.  It could be that you register and then I ultimately can’t let you in to the course.  If so, sorry about that!  It will be an interesting experience, and don’t let lack of Wikipedia knowledge concern you … we’ll teach you what you need to know.

Looking forward seeing you in the course!

This year the Southern Ontario Neuroscience Association (SONA) will hold its Annual Meeting on April 30^th, at the University of Toronto.

SONA is the SFN Chapter for southern Ontario.  The SONA Annual Meeting provides a full day of research and career talks and poster presentations in an informal and friendly atmosphere.  Researchers at all stages are invited to attend, and if they wish, present their recent findings.

The meeting’s itinerary is posted below.  Information for the location can be found here.

The deadline for both Registration and Abstract Submission is Friday, April 20^th.  The registration fee includes lunch! For UTSC students, the first 20 will receive a $10 rebate!  That means it will cost $15 to go!  **If less than 20 show up, the rebate may be increased.

This means $15 to hear from some leading experts in Neuroscience, meet academics from all across southern Ontario, and become a member of the Southern Ontario Neuroscience Association — a professional organization! (That can go on the resume!)

If you are registering, please fill out the registration form found at http://neuroscience.utoronto.ca/events/SONA2012.htm.  When sending the registration form in to p.neuroscience@utoronto.ca, please cc PNDA@ThePNDA.ca.  This is to ensure you are eligible for your refund.

If you have any questions at all, please email inquiry@thepnda.ca and we will respond as soon as possible!

We look forward to seeing you at the end of April!

Meeting Itinerary:

10:00 am Welcome to SONA 2012
Career Development Talks for Trainees

10:10 am Dr. Jeff Coull
Director, Operations and Knowledge Translation, Ontario Brain Institute

10:40 am Dr. Ed Ruthazer
Montreal Neurological Institute, CAN Young Investigator of the Year

Poster Session & Lunch
11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Invited Speaker Presentations 
1:30 pm Dr. Diano F. Marrone
“Investigating Hippocampal Information Processing Using Immediate-early Genes”
Assistant Professor, William Laurier University

2:15 pm Dr. Sue Becker
Speaking on: Hippocampal neurogenesis-dependent memory
Professor, McMaster University

Distinguished Guest Lecturer | Sponsored by University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)
3:00 pm Dr. Edward Ruthazer
“Modulation of developing visual system structure and function by sensory experience”
Montreal Neurological Institute, CAN Young Investigator of the Year

Closing Reception
4:00 – 5:00 pm

PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE DEPARTMENTAL ASSOCIATION (PNDA) is now hiring!  We are currently accepting applications to add to our 2012-2013 Executive Team!

Positions being hired are:

1. Technical Director
2. Marketing Director
3. Treasurer

Please include a cover letter with your resume explaining why you would like to be a part of PNDA.  We are looking dedicated individuals that are both creative and committed.  If you have any questions, please contact us at Inquiry@ThePNDA.ca.  Otherwise, please submit your applications to PNDA@ThePNDA.ca.  The deadline to apply is April 27^th, 2012.  You will be contacted for interviews shortly thereafter.

Job Descriptions:

Technical Director

• Responsible for design, development and implementation and technologies which will assist PNDA in operations, communication and promotion
• Works in developing and streamlining data & asset management; collaboration & communication methods; task/resource allocation & tracking; conventions and standards for data storage, access and use; userfriendly processes & interfaces and supporting documentation
• Responsible for staying up to date with advances, changes and problems of relevant technologies, and ensuring future scalability and compatibility of implemented systems
• Responsible for maintaining a shared data storage repository and maintaining the Intranet account & channel
• Promote awareness and usage of the association’s web site.
• Maintenance of the website and forum

Marketing Director

• Responsible for establishing, maintaining & improving PNDA’s public image, branding presence, and visibility
• Responsible for coming up with creative and ethical means of promotion and effective fundraising initiatives.
• Responsible for creating positive space via design, decoration, music and sound
• Responsible for ensuring there is appropriate photography and photojournalism of PNDA’s events and activities
• Responsible for designing posters and graphics for PNDA events and initiatives.

Treasurer

• Responsible for maintenance and administration of all financial activity
• Prepares a annual budget statement at the beginning of the fiscal year, working closely with the President and other Operations executives
• Prepares an annual statement of income and expenditures at end of fiscal year
• Be responsible to seek corporate sponsorship and prepare sponsorship proposals
• Responsible for presenting a report of PNDA’s financial standing at executive meetings
• Must keep accurate records, and collect receipts & invoices of all financial transactions undertaken by PNDA
• Responsible for procurement and disbursement of all funds
• Responsible for preparing and filing all funding & grant applications
• Can issue and sign cheques, along with the Vice President Operations and President
• Responsible for Bi-Weekly meetings, when required, with the Department to update them on the status of funds

The winners of the 2012-2013 PNDA elections are as follows:

President

Filippo Raso

VP Academics

Andrew Dolan

VP Operations

Karen Young

Administrative Director

Harindra Rajasekeran

Communications Director

Jananie Mancharan

Operations Coordinators

Maryan Nour & Tharshika Thangarasa

Senior Year Reps

Zahra Syed & Jithan Karalasingam

Second Year Reps

Ozzoude Miracle & Walter Alanguilan

Congratulations to all of the winners, and to everyone who participated in the elections.  We look forward to a great upcoming year!