SFU Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology PhD candidate Alexandre Laurin has spent his summer in France at the École Polytechnique developing a 3D interactive computer model to emulate the intricate behaviours of the human heart and chest.

Laurin’s ultimate goal is to use smartphones to diagnose heart conditions, bringing the diagnosis to us.

He worked as part of the Mathematical and Mechanical Models with Data Interactions in Simulations for Medicine (M3DISIM) group, focused on applying mathematical modeling and biomedical engineering to modeling the heart.

“You need the model first to understand what’s going on, then you can build the app for a smartphone,” Laurin told SFU University Communications.

The group started with studying the mechanical properties and movements of the heart and chest, examining the bones and cartilage that comprise a chest. They then use this information to form an elementary model of the chest using simple geometric shapes.

This model allows the team to detect vibrations in the heart. As of now, their program examines the minute gaps between detected vibrations to determine which valve of the heart is opening or closing, thus completing the simulation.

His work with M3DISIM is in tandem to his work at the SFU Aerospace Physiology Lab, led by SFU professor Andrew Blaber, where he obtained the necessary seismocardiograms of a real heart to compare to the vibrations simulated by his computer model.

Despite all the hard work Laurin has put in, developing a model is just the beginning. What the program cannot detect is the underlying reason behind the vibrations. “What we don’t know is what is causing the vibration reading, so if we ever want to diagnose wrong or weird vibrations, we need to really understand the mechanical and electrical variables of each vibration,” said Laurin.

In other words, each vibration has inherent qualities that correspond to different signals and movements in the heart. Laurin’s heart app would have to detect, process, and match these vibrations to observed data to produce a diagnosis for a patient’s condition.

Laurin anticipates that it would take at least another 10 years of work developing the app to reach a final product.

While this summer internship, partially funded by a Graduate International Research Travel Award given by SFU, has come to an end with the completion of the model, he plans on returning on a second trip to fine-tune the model.

SFU held a commemoration of the fourth annual Sexual Health Day at the SFU Segal Building in downtown Vancouver.

The event, which occurred on Friday, September 4, was organized by Roanne Millman and Jennifer Pink of SFU’s Close Relationships Lab. The event was well attended, despite this being the first event of its kind in Canada, with representatives from the BC Women’s Hospital, Men’s Health Initiative, and Vancouver Coastal Health, to name a few.

World Sexual Health Day is an international event founded by the World Association of Sexual Health (WAS) in 2010. The organization “promotes sexual health throughout human life spans all over the world by developing, promoting and supporting sexology and sexual rights for all.”

The day is now promoted in over 35 countries through dialogue, networking, and education about sexual health issues. SFU’s event was the first of its kind in Canada. This year’s theme was “Sexual Health for a Fairer Society.”

The event featured three speakers who were well-versed in sexual health issues. The first of the presenters was Lori Brotto who is, among many titles, an associate professor in UBC’s Department of Obstetrics/Gynaecology, as well as an Allied Staff Member in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the Vancouver Acute Health Service Delivery Area.

The second speaker was Dorothy Shaw, the Vice President of Medical Affairs at BC Women’s Hospital, as well as a clinical professor in UBC’s Department of Obstetrics/Gynaecology.

The third was Shannon Griffin, RN and sexual clinician with the Men’s Health Initiative.

All three speakers tackled issues of sexual health and human rights, such as proposed new millennium development goals for gender equality — these include the promotion of sexual health and protection against sexual discrimination.

With the United Nations (UN) and many other advocates backing these changes, the dialogue at the Segal Building could not have come at a better time. This was highlighted by Shaw, who is an expert in global sexual health and the role of institutions like the UN in spearheading an effective strategy against practices such as female genital mutilation.

In an environment of free discussion, Brotto explained a new drug designed for women experiencing arousal dysfunction, much like Viagra for men. The drug, named Addyi or flibanserin, was recently approved by the FDA in the United States. In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Brotto said, “There is evidence to support those things — they’re just not medication.” She echoed these sentiments at the Segal Building, criticizing the oversimplification of a complex disorder with an “easy fix.” This led to a discussion about what constitutes female arousal on a mental and physical level.

Griffin explained her work with the Men’s Health Initiative and her insight into the questions, concerns, and misconceptions that men have about sexual health.

All in all, the event was a success on its inaugural run, according to co-organizer Jennifer Pink. She told The Peak that the group hopes to get World Sexual Health Day recognized as a national day of deliberation. For now, she is pleased with the first steps: “What is relevant to students is that this event raises discussions about sexual health and curiosity about these issues.”

SFU celebrated 50 years of “engaging the world” with a day packed with merrymaking, bagpipes, and an almost comical overuse of the word ‘engage,’ with events ranging from a casual celebration in Freedom Square to a swanky evening affair in the AQ courtyard.

The event saw nearly 2,000 guests enjoy the evening celebration. Of the $250 million set as a fundraising goal, organizers say $185 million ended up being raised from donors.  Organizers are still determining the total cost of the day’s events.

The day began with the Campus Kickoff, which began at 11:30 a.m. in Freedom Square. Hosted by CityTV Breakfast Television host Riaz Meghji and live-streamed to SFU’s satellite campuses, the kickoff began with a fusion dance performance that incorporated highland dancing, bhangra, and Aboriginal drumming.

Afterwards, multiple individuals shared words of wisdom and reflected on SFU’s past 50 years. Said SFSS president Enoch Weng, “I’m just so excited to see past students, current students, and even future students [. . .] as we come together to celebrate what it means to be SFU [. . .] I can only imagine the great things we’ll achieve here at SFU as we move towards the next 50 years.”

The Campus Kickoff was followed by the serving of fair trade chocolate cake and a food truck festival which whetted appetites for the evening event, appropriately dubbed “Celebrate and Savour.”

The latter event was hosted by Bard on the Beach Artistic Director and Founder  Christopher Gaze. Attendees included Provincial Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson, Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, andLieutenant Governor of BC Judith Guichon.

Guests enjoyed culinary creations from local eateries such as Vij’s Restaurant, Chez Christophe Patisserie, and The Vancouver Fish Company, while mingling in the AQ Gardens, which were transformed into a lavish venue, outfitted with lantern lighting and a large stage at the end of the reflection pond.

Members of the Teaching Support Staff Union were present at the event, toting signs, some of which read, “President Petter, Engage Your Workers,” and speaking to attendees in order to spread their messages and explain what their core issues are that they have brought to the bargaining table. The union has been on strike and is currently in mediation with SFU administration.

At the end of the night, SFU wrapped up its 50th Anniversary with a bang, putting on a dazzling fireworks celebration. The AQ was then lit up with pyrotechnics set to a musical score.

One of the most emphasized components of the day was the presence of charter students who were part of the original cohort of SFU students to attend the school in 1965. Nearly 200 charter students were estimated to have attended the day’s events and their presence was acknowledged and appreciated by the number of speakers throughout the night.

SFU President Andrew Petter made an address to attendees and the charter alumni in particular. He said, “We, the students, the faculty, and supporters of SFU, who are the beneficiaries of your work today, look with pride and admiration at what has occurred in five short decades.”

He continued, “These are the gifts that we have received from those who have gone before us. And they give us the responsibility to make sure that we are no less committed, no less energetic, no less passionate, and certainly no less engaged as we move forward.”

During the morning event, it was announced that SFU student Caleb Sung and producer Brett Janzen had won the Legacy Song contest with their song “Engage the World.” Brendan Bernardo was the people’s choice award winner with his creation, “Make a Simon Fraser U.”

The theme of engagement echoed throughout the day, including Petter’s closing remarks of his address to the sea of SFU red in Freedom Square.

“I want to say I look forward to working with everyone here, as we all do, to build an even brighter future for the next 50 years. Let’s engage!”

Simon Fraser University has partnered with BCIT to offer a Masters in Science (M.Sc.) in Ecological Restoration.

The two-year program begins this fall. It will allow students to gain the benefits of both theoretical science and experiential knowledge from both campuses. Students who enroll in the program will be learning skills needed to restore ecosystems that have been harmed through human affairs and industrialization.

Ingrid Stevanovich, Dean of SFU’s Faculty of Environment, spoke to the The Peak and explained how this unique program came to be.

“While there are other programs that address challenges of ecological restoration, there is no comparable graduate program that covers the full breadth of interdisciplinary offerings that range from science, through the social sciences — as well as the technical aspects of the actual practice of remediation,” said Stevanovich.

She continued, “The program emerged as a collaborative process between both institutions. It was very much faculty-driven. Faculty members at both institutions promoted the idea, recognizing a) a gap in ecological restoration science training in Canada, and b) a tremendous need within the field of ecological restoration for better research and improved practices.”

Students will not only take classes at both SFU and BCIT, but also they will be engaged in various restoration projects across the Lower Mainland.

Some of the main topics they will learn inside the classroom and out in the field are these: how to assess degraded ecosystems, design a restoration prescription, develop and initiate detailed monitoring programs, establish scientifically-based approaches, and develop and apply project management guidelines.

Stevanovich emphasized how this program allows students to gain both practical and theoretical knowledge.

“The core intent is to provide the practical training that is BCIT’s specialty, with the core, high-integrity scientific expertise at SFU. [. . .] Both SFU and BCIT also excel in community engagement and practice-based learning, so it is a great partnership.”

The program consists of 36 credits. Exactly 18 of these credits will be at SFU, while the other 18 will be taken at BCIT. Students will take courses such as ecological restoration, project management, and research methods, and will even take a class where they must complete an applied research project.

A key component of the program will be that students visit active restoration sites around the Lower Mainland and learn valuable skills in understanding and taking measures to restore such sites.

Stevanovich spoke to the demand for careers in ecological restoration.

“There is no doubt that the field is going to be growing in demand — from the impact on ecosystems of industries, such as mining, forestry, or fishing, to the changes imposed upon ecosystems by urban growth. We have our challenges cut out for us as we seek to restore damaged ecosystems worldwide, and this joint graduate program is the new medical school for the environment.”

According to Doug Ransome, director of the program at BCIT, human activities have drastically affected the environment and climate. Said Ransome, “Restoration scientists and practitioners are ecosystem physicians.”