Spring/Summer 2023

Small is the next big thing. Meet the U of A grads, researchers and other experts using tiny tech, microscopic medicines and little tweaks in language to solve some of big problems facing our world. It's the Tiny Issue.

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In This Issue

Beadwork U of A crest created by Tara Kappo
Did You Know
Connecting to the Past, Bead by Bead
This traditional art is Tara Kappo’s ‘medicine,’ linking her to her relations, human and non-human.
Illustration of a human body showing nerves and organs
Tiny
Focusing Small for Big Health Benefits
Researchers are harnessing everything from tiny tech to microscopic cells to treat major health threats
Illustration of farmland with crops, animals, and farmers.
Environment
Pesky Pests and Other Threats
Researchers are targeting threats to our climate and food supply — some of the answers are smaller than you think
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Tiny
Little Wonders
The U of A is full of tiny marvels – from miniature items to microscopic research
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Tiny
Time Machines
Ice that’s tens of thousands of years old helps us study the past and peer into the future
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Distinguished Alumni Award
Scientist-Entrepreneur Creates Drug Molecules That Can Change Lives
Robert Foster’s tenacity has his small pharmaceutical company punching above its weight
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Profile
Five Things I’ve Learned About Preserving Indigenous Languages
One grad is on a quest to revitalize Denesųłįné in her community
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Profile
Legendary Links
Telling the stories of the grads who came before deepens our connection to the U of A and to each other
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Feature
Why You Should Care About Small Molecule Drugs
Researchers are developing small molecule drugs to treat everything from age-old threats to modern menaces
Corridor of people with a man at the center
Tiny
What Is the Smallest Small?
Enter the weird and wonderful world of quantum physics
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Tiny
Teeny Words Expose Societal Changes
When language ebbs and flows, students get creative
Couple walking outside
Health
One Small Step
Four reasons to stay active during cancer treatment
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Distinguished Alumni Award
From Class Clown to Actor, Director and Producer
Well known for Corner Gas, Lorne Cardinal’s career has made him an Indigenous role model and advocate
Photo of ramen
Just for Fun
How to Level up Your At-home Ramen
Step away from the Mr. Noodle
People rock climbing
Thesis
Reading, Riding and Arithmetic
A former 4-H club kid has to ask, can people actually learn without doing? It turns out there is no solid line dividing the two.
Illustration of classroom with students
Thesis
How a Classroom ‘Flip’ Engages Students
Swapping lectures for in-class activities is flipping the script in law classrooms
Person shining a light to reveal the unknown
Research
What Quantum Computing Means for You
Scientists are harnessing quantum mechanics to create computing power beyond anything we’ve ever known
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Continuing Education
To Fly the Coop
Seems like just yesterday I lightened my parents’ load by moving out. Back then, I couldn’t imagine why it was such a big deal
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Distinguished Alumni Award
This Man Makes Medical Treatment Better For Us All
Brian Haynes created a service that puts the best of health research at doctors’ fingertips
Common Vampire Bat
Continuing Education
Bloodthirsty Behaviour
A taste for the red stuff has created surprising similarities across species — and across research interests