Marc Beauregard explores outer space Research money arrives at University of P.E.I.

By Shannon Younker -

R. MARC BEAUREGARD HAS D recently been awardedsa grant

worth approximately $45,000 from the Canadian Space Agency, ACOA, and the srovince of Prince Edward Island. Beauregard s UPEI’s newest chemistry professor. Since is start here in 1992, he has been teaching jiochemistry, Chem 110, and a fourth-year hemistry course in proteins. He has also kept ip with his research, specializing in protein nalysis. Starting April 1, Beauregard will be vorking on two separate feasibility studies nvestigating proteins crystallized in 1icrogravity. Proteins are studied by xamining the crystals they form. When grown 1 a weightless environment, proteins form

4t Issue: Education...

bigger and higher quality crystals. As well as yielding fewer defects, the lessened effects of gravity have the effect of improving the signal/ noise ratio. That is, more of the data collected on each mission will be useful to scientists. According to Dr. Beauregard, utilizing microgravity environments is ‘‘the real direction of the future’’ in protein analysis. The first phase of this is a study of the effects of microgravity on the crystallization of a synthetic protein. Beauregard will be studying a protein of his own design. This is unique in thatit is the first study of the behaviour ofade novo protein in microgravity, and there is no reason to expect that the results would be any different than for a naturally occurring protein. The second part of this summer’s

work will be an assessment of spectrographic techniques used to detect protein aggregates. These aggregates interfere with X-ray crystallography and decrease the success rate of any study.

Beauregard will be looking for a small (suitcase-sized), simple set-up that will enable scientists on the launch site to efficiently screen protein samples for the accumulation of protein aggregates. This would make the project more efficient, as only the samples that are useful will be blasted off. If his studies find this to be feasible, the next step would be to actually build an apparatus to screen samples (provided that more grant money is in the wings).

Working with Beauregard this summer are UPEI graduate student Semir Omar and a

Dr. Marc Beauregard

research assistant, to be hired. If you think you are qualified and think this is an interesting proposition, talk to Dr. Beauregard in Cass Chemistry Centre.

Finding that Elusive Summer Job, Part Il

Non-Guaranteed Information on employment programs

By Bruce Davison UMMER EMPLOYMENT RELATING to university students’ field of study is quite often a rarity. While it is true that king business, biology, or history might be | asset for a particular job, there are not many bs that are related toa particular field. Getting ob that’s related to your field of study can be

there should be some left. A good approach is to call Federal Government Departments that are related to what you’re majoring in to see if they anticipate any openings. All COSEP openings are required to go through the employment centre computers (like the one in the Library), so check there and check often. COSEP also offers the best pay of any

iportant for two government summer asons: 1) In today’s Jo It ify jobs, pay that is ghly competitive In today 5 highly comp etitive dependent on your level vironment any of study.

perience you can gain a summer job could ssibly make the ference between you janother candidate. 2) mmer jobs that don’t rolve flipping nburgers, scooping ice am, and are more ated to business, nce or government ally pay better.

There are four sources of career/field of ly summer jobs that I want to briefly explain. of these require you to be a full-time ming student.

1) COSEP, which stands for Career- ented Summer Employment Program. SEP is a federal government-wide loyment program that looks for students in tific fields of study (majors). Until 1993, 3EP positions were filled by a central list by the employment centre. Now, however, sEP positions are filled by individual ‘mment departments. Many of these tions have been filled for this summer, but

environment any experience you can gain in a summer job could possibly make the difference between you and another candidate.

2) The Provincial government also offers some valuable experience working with various departments. In order to be considered for a position with the provincial government, you must have an application on file with the Central Jobs Registry in the Provincial Department of Industry in the Sulivan Building, on Rochford St. in Charlottetown. My point about calling relevant departments is also true for Provincial Government jobs.

3) SEED, which stands for Summer Employment Experience Development, is a Federal Government program that grants money to (primarily non-profit) businesses and organizations for them to hire students with. SEED jobs seldom pay very well, but usually offer really interesting experience. This is due to the fact that because of the limited number of SEED grants available, only the most worthwhile projects get funding

to hire students. Organizations usually find that they are getting a grant in May or June and unfortunately are not required to post their positions with the employment centre. Many do however, so check there, often.

4) The private sector also offers a lot of

really interesting career/field of study-related summer jobs. Getting one usually involves a long and early job hunt. Keep in mind some of the things I mentioned last week.

Good luck, and have a great summer.

TURN FIVE DOLLARS INTO HUNDREDS!

SELL YOUR OLD STUFF B NEW STUFF c

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10:00AM-1: OOPM. AT THE BARN Tables: $500 for students, $1000 for non-students Proceeds to help build new Student Alumni Association Please contact the Alumni Dept. at 566-065 or Rm. 204 en