º£½ÇÉçÇø

Master of Science in Molecular and MacroMolecular Sciences

Title : Thermodynamic Properties and Applications of Modified β-Cyclodextrins
Host-guest chemistry is a key area of supramolecular chemistry in which noncovalent interactions between a host and a guest molecule result in the formation of an inclusion complex. Fluorescence spectroscopy is used as a primary tool to study these interactions, as it can detect changes in emission properties upon complex formation. This work centers on modified β-cyclodextrins, which are macrocyclic hosts valued for their hydrophobic cavities, chemical tunability, and biocompatibility. The research is divided into three interconnected projects, each exploring different modified β-cyclodextrins with a focus on their inclusion properties and potential applications. The first project examines how structural differences in both host and guest molecules influence the thermodynamic properties of the inclusion process. The second project studies a β-cyclodextrin derivative (L12), functionalized to chelate gadolinium ions for use as an MRI contrast agent, and assesses its capacity to include guest molecules despite its bulky modifications. The third project explores β-cyclodextrin-grafted magnetic nanoparticles developed for pollutant capture in textile wastewater. Together, these studies provide a deeper understanding of how chemical modifications on β-cyclodextrins affect the inclusion behaviour and binding capability of the host. The findings support the relevance of cyclodextrin-based materials for diverse applications, including drug delivery, imaging, and environmental remediation.

August 18, 2025 at 10:00 am, in AVC 278N

Everyone is Welcome

The Teaching and Learning Centre is hosting onboarding sessions for new(er) sessional instructors, where you can learn about:

• instructional design supports and professional development offerings available through the Teaching and Learning Centre
• Moodle, º£½ÇÉçÇø’s learning management system
• how to design learning so everyone can access, engage, and succeed—an approach known as Universal Design for Learning
• a guide to enhancing assessment practices, including grading, feedback, and considerations for generative AI
• what goes into a good syllabus, including Gen AI statements

These sessions are as follows:

• Online: Thursday, August 21, 2025, 2:00 to 3:00 pm
• Online: Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 6:00 to 7:00 pm

Sign up to attend one of these sessions using the following link - 

Note: These sessions will also be recorded and can be sent to you if you are unable to attend.

If you have any questions, please reach out to TLC@upei.ca.

The annual "Back to School Sale" is on now until August 22. Save 20% on all regular priced º£½ÇÉçÇø and AVC clothing, giftware, backpacks, school supplies and more. We're located in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, open Monday to Friday 9:00-4:00. Shop online 24/7 at upei.ca/bookstore. 

º£½ÇÉçÇø Procurement Services is currently taking bids on a few used vehicles and a sidewalk plow. 

The following equipment for sale is in parking lot A closest to the Farmer's Market. 

• 2011 GMC SLE 3500 Dually 6.0L Gas
• 2012 GMC SLE 2500
• 2007 MT6 Sidewalk Plow
• 2011 Dodge Caliber SXT
• 2015 Chevrolet Equinox

Bids are being accepted in the University's e-tendering portal Bonfire until August 15, at 2:00 pm. This portal requires you to register by creating a username and password as your º£½ÇÉçÇø credentials are not connected to this system. When registering for the Bonfire portal, please put your name in the vendor's name and contact name fields. You can access the information about this opportunity at

If you require assistance, please email tenders@upei.ca

In September 2024, º£½ÇÉçÇø launched a five-phase process to develop our next five-year strategic plan.

Each phase of the process has been anchored in consultation with our University and community members. In total, more than 700 participants have provided us with input, ideas, and candid feedback to help shape º£½ÇÉçÇø’s focus for the future.

Since our last consultation session, the º£½ÇÉçÇø Strategic Plan Steering Committee and team members have worked to review input and develop the .

In keeping with our commitment to transparency, we are sharing the  with you for reflection and further input. Feedback on the draft can be provided through the linked in the document or by email to strategicplan@upei.ca. Input will be collected until August 14, 2025.

Read the Message from the President

Master of Science in Molecular and MacroMolecular Sciences

Title : Thermodynamic Properties and Applications of Modified β-Cyclodextrins
Host-guest chemistry is a key area of supramolecular chemistry in which noncovalent interactions between a host and a guest molecule result in the formation of an inclusion complex. Fluorescence spectroscopy is used as a primary tool to study these interactions, as it can detect changes in emission properties upon complex formation. This work centers on modified β-cyclodextrins, which are macrocyclic hosts valued for their hydrophobic cavities, chemical tunability, and biocompatibility. The research is divided into three interconnected projects, each exploring different modified β-cyclodextrins with a focus on their inclusion properties and potential applications. The first project examines how structural differences in both host and guest molecules influence the thermodynamic properties of the inclusion process. The second project studies a β-cyclodextrin derivative (L12), functionalized to chelate gadolinium ions for use as an MRI contrast agent, and assesses its capacity to include guest molecules despite its bulky modifications. The third project explores β-cyclodextrin-grafted magnetic nanoparticles developed for pollutant capture in textile wastewater. Together, these studies provide a deeper understanding of how chemical modifications on β-cyclodextrins affect the inclusion behaviour and binding capability of the host. The findings support the relevance of cyclodextrin-based materials for diverse applications, including drug delivery, imaging, and environmental remediation.

August 18, 2025 at 10:00 am, in AVC 278N

Everyone is Welcome

º£½ÇÉçÇø's current round of the Student Program for Research Engagement & Excellence (SPREE) is swiftly drawing to a close, with the culminating research poster and presentation competition on the horizon.

This year's competition will be held the afternoon of Wednesday, August 27 and we are seeking º£½ÇÉçÇø faculty and staff members as judges! Are you interested and available to join us as a judge?

 The commitment options are:

• Wed. Aug 27 from 12:30 pm - approx. 2:30pm; or
• Wed. Aug 27 from 12:30 pm - approx. 3:30pm.

We will have both a graduate student category and undergraduate student category of the competition, and the role of our judges will be to select the top 3 entries in each category (winning cash prizes). Taking feedback from last year into account this year: the 3 top selected entries will all receive equal prizes, plus we have a fully revised judging criteria rubric.

We are seeking judges representing the broad range of programs/disciplines the competitors draw from including: Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Psychology, Climate Change, Biotechnology, Foods and Nutrition, Island Studies, and Education.  

The student researchers have been challenged to create their posters and accompanying (up to 5 minute) presentation about their research for a non-specialist audience.

To volunteer as a judge, or for questions/additional details about judging or the poster competition, please contact: Kendra Mellish, Graduate Programs Officer at kmellish@upei.ca.

Please "save the date" for our next town hall on August 20:

August Check-In and Update

• Wednesday, August 20, 2025
• 2:30–3:30 pm
• Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium, Don and Marion McDougall Hall (MCDH 242)

This event will be similar to past events where brief updates will be given with an opportunity to ask questions. You will be able to attend in person (always preferable) or online. If you are unable to participate in person, you are welcome to join us virtually at .

We look forward to seeing you!

Members of the º£½ÇÉçÇø campus community,

It has recently come to the attention of IT Systems and Services (ITSS) that there is a fake website impersonating the real myº£½ÇÉçÇø login page. This site looks very convincing—it even links to genuine º£½ÇÉçÇø web pages—but it is designed to steal your login info.

Please DO NOT visit: myupei.org. This fake website address is being shared so that you know to avoid it—please DO NOT open it or provide any information through the site. 

What to do if you have visited the site:

1. Change your º£½ÇÉçÇø password immediately.
2. Let ITSS know by submitting a help request at .

Please know these scams are tricky and can fool anyone. Reporting it helps us protect others.

ITSS is working on having the fake site taken down, if possible, but that can take time.

If you have questions, concerns, or spot other suspicious sites, please reach out at .

Thank you!

IT Systems and Services Team

The º£½ÇÉçÇø Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is seeking a volunteer graduate student member to join the IBC for a two year term! The IBC meets monthly to review Biosafety Permit applications and discuss other issues related to biosafety on campus. Time commitment is approximately 3 hours per month.

• Are you a current º£½ÇÉçÇø graduate student?
• Do you work with biohazardous material as part of your research?
• Do you want to contribute to the research community and biosafety at º£½ÇÉçÇø?
• Would you like to gain valuable experience (looks great on a CV!) and be the student voice on a committee composed of º£½ÇÉçÇø Faculty and staff?

To express your interest in this exciting opportunity, please complete  by Monday, August 18.

For more information please contact Stephanie Palmer, Research Compliance Coordinator scpalmer@upei.ca.

Thanks for passing this information along to anyone who might be interested!

The Teaching and Learning Centre is hosting onboarding sessions for new(er) sessional instructors, where you can learn about:

• instructional design supports and professional development offerings available through the Teaching and Learning Centre
• Moodle, º£½ÇÉçÇø’s learning management system
• how to design learning so everyone can access, engage, and succeed—an approach known as Universal Design for Learning
• a guide to enhancing assessment practices, including grading, feedback, and considerations for generative AI
• what goes into a good syllabus, including Gen AI statements

These sessions are as follows:

• Online: Thursday, August 21, 2025, 2:00 to 3:00 pm
• Online: Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 6:00 to 7:00 pm

Sign up to attend one of these sessions using the following link - 

Note: These sessions will also be recorded and can be sent to you if you are unable to attend.

If you have any questions, please reach out to TLC@upei.ca.

The annual "Back to School Sale" is on now until August 22. Save 20% on all regular priced º£½ÇÉçÇø and AVC clothing, giftware, backpacks, school supplies and more. We're located in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, open Monday to Friday 9:00-4:00. Shop online 24/7 at upei.ca/bookstore. 

Dr. Brenton Dickieson has been appointed Coordinator of Univ. 1000 and Coordinator of the Bachelor of Integrated Studies. Brenton has taught extensively in ACLC, Asian Studies, Global Issues, Religious Studies, Univ. 1020: Inquiry Studies and various courses in the Univ. 1000 suite, including University Studies, and Leadership studies. He has won the Hessian Award for Teaching Excellence twice, and recently received a MacLauchlan Prize for Effective Writing by faculty.

In addition to his scholarly work, including a forthcoming book with Oxford University Press, Brenton hosts a popular blog, A Pilgrim in Narnia, and podcast, The MaudCast: The Podcast of the L. M. Mongomery Institute, now in its third season. He has previously taught at Signum University, where he has supervised eight MAs, and at The King's College, NY, Maritime Christian College, and Regent Colllege, BC.

For a number of years, Brenton served as department and/or division lead in policy, research, and writing for the Post-Secondary Education division within the Government of PEI. In that capacity, he helped to produce PEI's population growth strategy, private training school standards, and PEI's international student strategy.

We welcome Brenton to his new role. He can be contacted at: bdickieson@upei.ca

In September 2024, º£½ÇÉçÇø launched a five-phase process to develop our next five-year strategic plan.

Each phase of the process has been anchored in consultation with our University and community members. In total, more than 700 participants have provided us with input, ideas, and candid feedback to help shape º£½ÇÉçÇø’s focus for the future.

Since our last consultation session, the º£½ÇÉçÇø Strategic Plan Steering Committee and team members have worked to review input and develop the .

In keeping with our commitment to transparency, we are sharing the  with you for reflection and further input. Feedback on the draft can be provided through the linked in the document or by email to strategicplan@upei.ca. Input will be collected until August 14, 2025.

Read the Message from the President

We are pleased and excited to invite all to attend Jill Anne McDowall's PsyD dissertation defense presentation titled: "Exploring the Caregiver Experience: Participating in the Social ABCs Program with a 
Toddler with Suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder.“ on August 13, 2025 at 10:00 am. Please join us in supporting Jill Anne on this momentous occasion!

Location: Memorial Hall, Room 104 
Date and Time: August 13, 2025 at 10:00 am 

Did you know that PEI's Workers Compensation Board (WCB) has a prize for young workers who are committed to health and safety at work? Check out the Safe Youth Award . Two $1000 prizes are given out each summer to youth who demonstrate an understanding of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) principles in their workplace. A prize will be awarded in each of two categories, youth 15 – 19 years of age, and youth 20 – 24 years old.

Youth in both age categories may apply on their own, with an accompanying workplace reference, or may be nominated by someone in the workplace. Submission deadline is September 3, 2025.

Check out the , and  for more details.

Epjila’si, Kulahsihkulpa, Welcome! 

The Association of Atlantic Universities Committee on Faculty Development is pleased to partner with the University of New Brunswick to host the 2025 Annual Atlantic Universities' Teaching Showcase on the unsurrendered and unceded traditional lands of the Wolastoqiyik peoples, in beautiful Fredericton. The 2025 AAU Teaching Showcase will take place in person on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the University of New Brunswick’s Fredericton campus. This year's theme of Reimagining Higher Education calls on educators, scholars, and learners to rethink the purposes, practices, and possibilities of teaching and learning.

Proposal Deadline: August 25, 2025 

º£½ÇÉçÇø's current round of the Student Program for Research Engagement & Excellence (SPREE) is swiftly drawing to a close, with the culminating research poster and presentation competition on the horizon.

This year's competition will be held the afternoon of Wednesday, August 27 and we are seeking º£½ÇÉçÇø faculty and staff members as judges! Are you interested and available to join us as a judge?

 The commitment options are:

• Wed. Aug 27 from 12:30 pm - approx. 2:30pm; or
• Wed. Aug 27 from 12:30 pm - approx. 3:30pm.

We will have both a graduate student category and undergraduate student category of the competition, and the role of our judges will be to select the top 3 entries in each category (winning cash prizes). Taking feedback from last year into account this year: the 3 top selected entries will all receive equal prizes, plus we have a fully revised judging criteria rubric.

We are seeking judges representing the broad range of programs/disciplines the competitors draw from including: Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Psychology, Climate Change, Biotechnology, Foods and Nutrition, Island Studies, and Education.  

The student researchers have been challenged to create their posters and accompanying (up to 5 minute) presentation about their research for a non-specialist audience.

To volunteer as a judge, or for questions/additional details about judging or the poster competition, please contact: Kendra Mellish, Graduate Programs Officer at kmellish@upei.ca.

Dr. Brenton Dickieson has been appointed Coordinator of Univ. 1000 and Coordinator of the Bachelor of Integrated Studies. Brenton has taught extensively in ACLC, Asian Studies, Global Issues, Religious Studies, Univ. 1020: Inquiry Studies and various courses in the Univ. 1000 suite, including University Studies, and Leadership studies. He has won the Hessian Award for Teaching Excellence twice, and recently received a MacLauchlan Prize for Effective Writing by faculty.

In addition to his scholarly work, including a forthcoming book with Oxford University Press, Brenton hosts a popular blog, A Pilgrim in Narnia, and podcast, The MaudCast: The Podcast of the L. M. Mongomery Institute, now in its third season. He has previously taught at Signum University, where he has supervised eight MAs, and at The King's College, NY, Maritime Christian College, and Regent Colllege, BC.

For a number of years, Brenton served as department and/or division lead in policy, research, and writing for the Post-Secondary Education division within the Government of PEI. In that capacity, he helped to produce PEI's population growth strategy, private training school standards, and PEI's international student strategy.

We welcome Brenton to his new role. He can be contacted at: bdickieson@upei.ca

Please "save the date" for our next town hall on August 20:

August Check-In and Update

• Wednesday, August 20, 2025
• 2:30–3:30 pm
• Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium, Don and Marion McDougall Hall (MCDH 242)

This event will be similar to past events where brief updates will be given with an opportunity to ask questions. You will be able to attend in person (always preferable) or online. If you are unable to participate in person, you are welcome to join us virtually at .

We look forward to seeing you!