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The Bulletin Brief is a news digest about the University of Toronto, compiled for staff and faculty.
Characters Kima and Lil are pictured in a recent episode of Star Trek: Short Treks, which transformed One Spadina Crescent into a space school. Image courtesy of Michael Gibson/CBS/Bell Media
Hello,
 
One Spadina Crescent, home to U of T’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, was transformed into a futuristic school for a recent episode of Star Trek: Short Treks, a web TV series. Richard Sommer, the faculty’s dean, said the building’s blend of historic and modern features lends itself well to a sci-fi shoot.
New in research
John Peever (left), a neurobiologist in the department of cell and systems biology, and research associate Jimmy Fraigne hope their research could lead to treatments for a variety of disorders. Photo by Diana Tyszko
• Researchers from U of T have discovered the area in brains that switches muscles on and off. By manipulating a very small area in the brain called the sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus (SLD) in mice, they were able to trigger cataplexy – the state of being awake but completely immobile due to loss of muscle control. The researchers hope their findings could lead to treatments for people living with a variety of disorders, including Parkinson’s disease.
 
• A multidisciplinary group of U of T researchers have developed a method to fine-tune the composition of artificial cells responsible for regulating blood glucose, called islets. Pancreatic islets are responsible for secreting insulin, but for those living with diabetes, their islet function is severely dampened. Recently, researchers have been able to transplant artificial islets into animals to help normalize their glucose regulation. The new findings will enable researchers to improve the success of transplanted artificial islets so that the method may one day be applied to humans.

The 411 for staff and faculty
Two children make slime at Camp U of T Scarborough
Photo by Ken Jones
• Enrolment for youth summer camps at the three campuses begins soon. Please take a look at the camp offerings and register online. Registration will open on the following dates: • The Speaking Out! Employee Engagement Survey closes on Jan. 28. Confidential invitations to the online survey have been sent to appointed faculty, staff, and librarians by email. Results of the survey will be reported in early spring.

• Help improve U of T’s research data repository by participating in an in-person usability test for faculty and graduate students. The tests will be conducted from Jan. 27 to Feb. 14. The deadline to register as a participant is Jan. 30.

Don’t miss it!
Aina-Nia Ayo’dele Grant. Supplied photo
• The U of T community is invited to register to attend the inaugural Black History Symposium, which will be held on Feb. 6. The theme is “Complexities of Blackness: Stories Told, Strategies Shared.” Aina-Nia Ayo’dele Grant, who helped lead anti-Black racism initiatives at the City of Toronto, will deliver the keynote address.

• Partake in a night of creativity through spoken word at the U of T Scarborough Black History Month Poetry Slam on Feb. 5. There will also be an open mic for participants who wish to share their poetry but not compete in the slam. Please register to compete by Jan. 30.
 
• A panel event on Jan. 28 will discuss the City of Toronto’s new 10-year housing strategy HousingTO, which was developed to address the affordable housing crisis. The conversation will be moderated by Alan Walks from the department of geography and planning.
 
• On Feb. 5, U of T’s Health Innovation Hub (H2i) will host FemSTEM, an event to celebrate female entrepreneurs in the health-care sector. Hear from a panel of entrepreneurs and participate in a workshop to create your own business pitch.
 
• Hear from U of T Mississauga’s Kent Moore on his climate change research at the next Lecture Me! event on Feb. 4.
 
• Enjoy The Devised Project, an original one-act play produced and performed by third-year theatre students at Theatre Erindale. The production runs from Feb. 6 to 9.

See more events in January

Criss-cross

The Meeting Place at U of T Mississauga gets geometric in this shot captured by third-year student Lily Chen.

-@shinelittlelights via Instagram
Visit the research honours and awards and research funding opportunities websites for upcoming awards and grant opportunities.

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