Western scientists gather at UWinnipeg

The University of Winnipeg's brand new Richardson College for the Environmentand Science Complex doesn't officially open untilnext weekbut is already set to host toa major conference with100 scientists from across Western Canada.

The$67-million building located on Portage Avenue at Langside Street, and adorned with elements from the periodic table, will house the universitys departments of biology, chemistry and environmental studies.

The ribbon-cutting is set for June 27, but on June 24 the facility will be one of the U of W buildings to welcomedelegates for the second annual Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) conference.

Researchers at the event will discuss the "interplay between climate change, and environmental chemistry and toxicology," according to a press release about the conference.

Keynote speakers at the conference, themed Pole to pothole: Ecotoxicology in a changing climate, includePaul Hoekstra (Sygenta Crop Protection),Markus Hecker (University of Saskatchewan), andFeiyue Wang (University of Manitoba).

SETAC is a nonprofit professional society of individuals and institutions engaged in the study of environmental problems, the management and regulation of natural resources andenvironmental education and research and development.

"We are working to build the SETAC Prairie Northern Chapter to become an authoritative voice for sound environmental science for the Canadian Prairies, and for its conference to be a voice towards this end," stated conference co-host Charles Wong of the U of Winnipeg.