The sooner.

The better.
Dr. Phil Tibbo makes
sense of schizophrenia
Plus
Shooting for the stars

Naturopathic doctor
turned best-selling author

Harvard researcher
honoured by Obama
Contents

CoverStory
12 — The sooner. The better.
Dr. Phil Tibbo (’86) is breaking
new ground when it comes
to detecting and treating
schizophrenia
Features
16 Helping kids excel
Harvard professor Nonie Lesaux (’99)
brings conversation and creativity back to
the classroom with her award-winning
research in language and literacy.
18
18 The doctor is in
Author of the best-selling health and lifestyle
book, The Hormone Diet, Dr. Natasha Turner
(’93) uses an alternative approach to treat
patients and promote healthy living.

20 Allisonian and space Regulars

John Thaler (’06) learns about life on 4 Events and Gatherings
Mars and works to improve the health of
astronauts who spend time in microgravity. 6 Campus Beat
20
22 Out of this world discovery 8 Student Spotlight
Ellen Milley (’07) discovers valuable 10 Research
space rocks on a frozen pond in
Saskatchewan. 26 Bleacher Feature

24 Joint adventures 29 JUMP Update

A pioneer in the practice of hip and joint 30 In Memoriam
replacement, Dr. Seth Greenwald (’59) has
improved the lives of patients worldwide. 31 Class Notes

24
500090 MtA Record_Winter Record 20065.0 10-02-08 9:10 AM Page 4

Editor’sNote
Mount Allison Record Winter 2010 No. 93 — New
Series The Record is published three times annually.

Editor: Anthony (Tony) Frost

Assistant Editor: Tracy Bell
Art Director: Shane McDonald, Tin Design Mount Allison University
Contributing Writers:
Tracy Bell
Mona Estabrooks (’79)
is a science powerhouse
Tony Frost
Melissa Lombard
Susan Rogers (’12)
Sue Seaborn
Carolle de Ste-Croix (’90)
W hat did that headline say? Mount Allison, the great liberal arts university, is a
science powerhouse? How did this happen and says who?

Photography: Being a “liberal arts university” with such well-known people and programs in arts
Alasdair Dunlap-Smith (’10) (think Colville and the Pratts), music (we practically owned the East Coast Music
Lesley Johnson (’94) Awards this year), and social science (anyone need a Rhodes Scholar?) it may surprise
Sue Seaborn some people to discover that Mount Allison has quietly built one of the finest under-
Grady Semmens graduate science programs in the country.
Shari Tucker

Address correspondence regarding
editorial policy and subscriptions to:
Mount Allison Record
65 York Street
Sackville, NB E4L 1E4
Tel: (506) 364-2529 Fax: (506) 364-2262
tbell@mta.ca
Contents Copyright 2010 by Mount Allison University
and may not be reprinted without permission.
Opinions expressed in this publication are not
necessarily those of Mount Allison University.
Single Copy: $9.00
Subscription: $25 for three issues
ISSN 1702-2525
So how did this happen you ask? I wondered that myself and apparently it has
much to do with—go figure—the students. I have been pouring over the survey and
focus group research we have done over the years (how scientific of me, eh?) and I can
tell you with full confidence that the results show that those who study science here are
the “cream of the crop.”
Coming from all corners of the globe, they are as diverse a group as you will find, but
they are singularly united in their academic capacity as well as their stated intention to
pursue post-graduate studies.
Of course, having brains is only half the equation. Once inside the hallowed halls
of Flemington, Dunn, Crabtree, Barclay, and Avard-Dixon they work with award-
winning professors such as Bob Hawkes, Cathy Baker, Rob Ireland, Steve Wescott,
Terry Belke, and others who nurture their intellectual curiosity, preparing them for the
next step.

Mailed under Canada Post Publication Mail
Sales Agreement no. 40006414
Mailed by: Precision Direct Marketing
Printed by: Advocate — Imprimerie Maritime Press
If you wish to make a donation to Mount Allison,
please contact Susan Springer at (506) 364-2341 or
by e-mail (development@mta.ca)
Please forward change of address information to Joy
Wilbur (jwilbur@mta.ca) (506) 364-2608.
Cover Photo: Dr. Phil Tibbo (’86), the Dr. Paul
Janssen Chair in Psychotic Disorders
From there, anything is possible and, in the pages that follow, you will read about the
astonishing impact that our alumni are making on the world today and the meaningful
discoveries that are being made on campus right now. Appropriately, the last word goes
to Dr. Jeff Ollerhead, Dean of Science, who talks about where the faculty is heading.
Almost a century ago, French physiologist Claude Bernard wrote “the joy of discovery
is certainly the liveliest that the mind of man can ever feel.” While this could equally
apply to the arts, social science, or music faculties, it is, at least for this issue, distinctly
apt for science.
Tony Frost
Editor of the Mount Allison Record, University Advancement
(506) 364-2345 | tfrost@mta.ca

2 | WINTER 2010 RECORD

500090 MtA Record_Winter Record 20065.0 10-02-08 9:10 AM Page 5

Mount Allison Alumni

Board of Directors
AlumniPresident President:
Andrew Clark ’98
andrew.clark@merit.ca
416-465-7078
Vice-President & Secretary:
Anne-Katherine Dionne ’88
Here’s to a fantastic 2010 akdionne@hotmail.com
416-962-0100

at Mount Allison Past President:

Barbie Smith ’75
mbsg@nb.sympatico.ca
506-529-4734
Honorary President:
W e have now emerged from the holiday season in one piece (hopefully) and bet-
ter rested from what was certainly an eventful and, at times, taxing 2009. We
saw, among other things, the global economy pull back from the brink of collapse,
Louise (Oates) Cooke ’70
louisecooke@cogeco.ca
Directors:
the battle against the H1N1 “pandemic,” and the continuing efforts to build a sus- Sean M. Connors ’81
tainable green world. While we are not out of the woods on any of these fronts, the sean.connors@rogers.com
“green shoots” that exist in Canada and abroad put us in a more optimistic place 506-384-5570
Layton Fisher ’57
entering 2010 than we were in 2009. layton.fisher@gmail.com
506-939-2935
Students of history know that times of crisis almost always bring times of innova- Harriet Leggett ’61
tion. In this issue of the Record, you will read about Allisonians who have taken leggett@nbnet.nb.ca
506-466-3786
their science education and entrepreneurial initiative and developed innovative Amy MacAdam ’02
ideas and built new businesses. While not necessarily products of the recent crises, amy_macadam@hotmail.com
their inventiveness and entrepreneurial vigour will undoubtedly have an impact in 902-492-1259
making our world a better place. They should all be applauded for the work they are Paul Pergau ’67
paul_pergau@hotmail.com
doing. 519-434-2490
Margaret (Doane) Poole ’87
While not without its challenges, Mount Allison bucked the trend in 2009. We once poolecom@ns.sympatico.ca
again sit at the top of the Maclean’s rankings for primarily undergraduate universi- 902-443-1410
Jill (Hemeon) Rafuse ’73
ties; our 48th Rhodes Scholar, Susan Humphrey, will head off to Oxford in the fall; rafuse@ns.sympatico.ca
and Peter Mansbridge will replace John Bragg (himself an innovator) as Chancellor. 902-492-4523
And these are just the large, public developments. There are countless others, all David Rose ’90
equally important, that go unheralded on a daily basis. This issue is about those suc- rosed@navcanada.ca
613-231-4446
cesses, too. Charles Scott ’83
scottc@accesswave.ca
Andrew Clark (’98) 902-832-4477
Colin Tippett ’97
colintippett@hotmail.com
506-755-0679
Christina Vroom ’96
crashyvroom@yahoo.ca
514-933-2935
Danny Williamson ’03
williamson.d@gmail.com
519-208-1145
Executive Director:
Carolle de Ste-Croix ’90
Tel: 506-364-2348 Fax: 506-364-2262
cdestecroix@mta.ca
http://alumni.mta.ca
Nominations Call — Nominations are open for the
Alumni Board. The Board works to promote and motivate
the participation of alumni and friends of Mount Allison
with the University, through effective communication,
events, and special initiatives.

Address nominations to:

Carolle de Ste-Croix, Alumni Office
65 York St., Sackville, NB E4L 1E4
or alumni@mta.ca

University | 3
500090 MtA Record_Winter Record 20065.0 10-02-08 9:10 AM Page 6

For more photos from the events listed below, please visit the Chapter pages on Alumni Online: http://alumni.mta.ca

Thanksg
iv
Football ing
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at Rocky ame
Stone Fie
in Monct ld
on

ties!
From le

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o
Mount to right are a

Go M
A lu
Mike G llison’s directo mnus Josh Br
lo r ag
of Athle ver (’10), and of football o g (’08),
tics and the Univ peration
Recreati e s
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re Arsen
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Get
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l Mounti Brew er a
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Footb Game et Or ery i t The
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From
Brid left to
e Cath get, Mo right a
aw ay gam (Ho y Drie nica Br re Kim
w d b
s at an Pike son) P zic, In idget (’5 erley K
tie fan (’50 r a 4 e
un ), D att (’78 (Chaf ), Ada ats (’02
Mo r. D ) e m
avid , Valeri ) Kear Reid ), Jason
Pitt e le (
(’46 Pike (’7 y (’77) ’03), Bi Robinso
), an 6 , l n
d hi ), Flo P Carolle l Driedz (’06),
s da
ught ike, Jan de St ic (form Dr. Spe
er R i e n
uth ne (Pike -Croix er facu cer
Fran ) ( lt
4 | WINTER 2010 RECORD cis Vallis ’90), A y),
(’76
), Jo lex
hn
500090 MtA Record_Winter Record 20065.0 10-02-08 9:10 AM Page 7

tain
n at M étropoli
o
Recepti in Ottawa, ON

ellton ent
, NB
Brasse rie

v
in Ca ration E
mpb
Appr

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and ximately

Cele
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s e d
Susa of Mou out to ents fro
n Hu n t A celeb m C
Blan r a
chett mphrey llison’s 4 ate the a mpbellto
of Su e (’ 8 n
garlo , her form 10), pict th Rhod ccomplish
af Se u
nior er teache red here es Schola -
High r r
Scho and Vice with Gai
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2),
rson (’0
an da MacPhe st speaker, EVENT CALENDAR:
ers Mir ’04) with gue
volunte ( 2) Please visit the Chapter pages on Alumni Online
Alumni Dana McBain ert Hawkes (’7
an d . Rob (http://alumni.mta.ca) for information about
left, or Dr
profess
physics upcoming events.

• February 21 – Osaka, Japan

• February 22 – Beijing, China
• February 23 – Bermuda Cocktail Reception in
Other Past Events conjunction with Mount Allison’s Soccer Team
• 17th Annual Canadian Universities Alumni Trip to Bermuda
Reception in NY, NY — September 24, 2009 • February 24 – Hong Kong, China
• Atlantic Universities Alumni Pub Night in Tokyo, • February 25 – Tokyo, Japan
Japan — September 26, 2009 • February 26 – Bermuda Pub Night in conjunction
• Network Canada Alumni Night in London, UK with Mount Allison’s Women’s Soccer Team Trip
— November 20, 2009 to Bermuda
• Allisonian Art Garden Event in Sackville • April 18 – Event at Hugh’s Pub with the
— November 27, 2009 Barra MacNeils in Toronto, ON
• “Brunny at the Duke” Event in Toronto • April 29 – Ottawa, ON
— December 21, 2009 • President’s Cross-Country Tour 2010

Pass it on.
It’s time the talented young people in your
life knew about the #1 undergraduate
university in Canada. Refer a potential
Allisonian today. Our admissions team will
contact the student with information on how
to start their journey this Fall.

www.mta.ca/referral

University | 5
500090 MtA Record_Winter Record 20065.0 10-02-03 4:15 PM Page 8

CampusBeat
Renowned journalist becomes Mount Allison Chancellor
He’s been gracing our television screens as chief
correspondent and anchor of CBC’s The National
since 1988 and is host of CBC’s Mansbridge: One on
One. Now, Peter Mansbridge is Mount Allison
University’s Chancellor.

In his role he will act as the University’s ceremonial

head, presiding over Convocations, conferring all
degrees, and acting as an ambassador. His term runs
from January 2010 to December 2013.

“I am thrilled to further cement my relationship

with one of the country’s most respected universities
and I look forward to my first official duty as
Chancellor, Convocation 2010,” says Mansbridge.

Mansbridge has covered the most groundbreaking

events of our time, including the 911 attacks, the
deaths of Princess Diana and Pierre Trudeau, and
the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. He holds 12 Gemini
Awards, six honorary degrees, and is an Officer of
the Order of Canada.

Mount Allison ranked

best in Canada…again
Mount Allison has again been named the #1 undergraduate
school in Canada by Maclean’s magazine — a ranking it
has maintained for 13 of the last 19 years and one that
is unmatched by any other university in Canada.

The University received top or high marks in many

categories, including Student Awards, Faculty
Awards, Library Holdings and Support, and
Student to Faculty Ratio. Mount Allison also
ranked fourth overall in the reputational survey,
which asked experts, educators, and community
leaders for their views on quality, innovation,
and leadership at Canadian Universities, and
in the top five for Best Overall, Highest
Quality, and Most Innovative.

“Our approach has always been to mix

the best features of Mount A’s past, with the
new and innovative, in an intimate, high-quality envi-
ronment,” says Mount Allison President and Vice-Chancellor,
Dr. Robert Campbell.

6 | WINTER 2010 RECORD

500090 MtA Record_Winter Record 20065.0 10-02-03 4:15 PM Page 9
Enrollment on the rise
The numbers are in and first-year enrollment is up over
100 students from last year, reaching 829, with a total stu-
dent body of 2,398. This count has also jumped from
2007, which saw the student tally at 651 and overall
enrollment at 2,069.
“Having the increase in students allows us to improve the
student experience and continue to emphasize our goals
of quality and innovation at Mount Allison,” says Vice-
President, International & Student Affairs Ron Byrne.
The growth also fosters a rich university environment.
“More great minds means a heightened level of learning
and appetite for extracurricular activities, resulting in an
increased energy on campus,” says Byrne.
Byrne believes there are many reasons students are con-
tinuing to choose Mount Allison. Apart from the
A Meeting of the Creative Minds
Pictured here from left to right are Dr. Christl Verduyn,
Herménégilde Chiasson (’72), Marcia Babineau, Shelagh
Rogers, Joseph Boyden, Amanda Boyden, and Dr. Robert
Campbell.
Two of Canada’s most creative couples joined one of the
CBC’s most noted personalities, Shelagh Rogers, for a
conversation at the Owens Art Gallery in October. The
quartet discussed their work and creative lives.
University’s top-notch reputation, he credits the increase
to its personalized approach.
“From including hand-written notes on our acceptance
letters to ensuring our knowledgeable admissions team is
always available, everything we do has a personal touch
and everyone here understands that attracting students is
a university-wide job.”
Former New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor
Herménégilde Chiasson (’72) is a poet, filmmaker,
visual artist, and playwright, who was most recently
named Mount Allison’s Artist-in-Residence. His wife
Marcia Babineau has also pursued a creative path, and
is the founder and Artistic Director of Théâtre
L’Escaouette in Moncton.
Joseph Boyden is the 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize-
winning author, recognized for novels and short story
collections such as Born with a Tooth, Three Day Road,
and Through Black Spruce. Amanda Boyden is an
English professor at the University of New Orleans and
author of Dirty Little Pretty and Babylon Rolling.
Mount Allison English and Canadian Studies professor
and event organizer, Dr. Christl Verduyn, believes in the
power of this kind of cultural forum.
“These types of events allow our students and the
surrounding community to explore the role of art and
literature in the human experience and are an integral
part of what Mount Allison is all about.”
University | 7
500090 MtA Record_Winter Record 20065.0 10-02-03 4:15 PM Page 10

Look up. Look way, way up.

Honours chemistry student Alasdair Dunlap-Smith shoots for the stars

“
There are people
who do wonderfully
artistic work and
people who are
interested mostly in

”
the science of it —
he does both.

8 | WINTER 2010 RECORD