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Master of the MiniaturePostdoctoral fellow Naomi Matsuura won the 2007 Polanyi PrizeWho she isNaomi Matsuura is a scientist who isdeveloping new technologies on thenanometre scale (one nanometre isequal to one millionth of a millimetre).Her work is poised to transform cancerresearch with its new approaches todetecting, tracking and possibly treatingthe disease on a cellular level. For example,Matsuura has developed an infinitesimalcomplex coating that can allownanostructures to first be attached tocancer cells, then activated to behave asa beacon for diagnostic imaging (such ascomputed tomography and magneticresonance imaging). The coating canalso be used to locally deliver a drug thatleaks out of the coating’s tiny pores.that materials behave in unusual,counterintuitive ways when their physicaldimensions are dramatically miniaturized.After all, the properties ofmaterials – such as how magnetic theyare, how well they conduct electricity,how strong they are and at what temperaturethey melt – change at thenano-scale. At this tiny size, materialscan be designed to behave differentlythan when they exist as larger units.Recent advances in creating nanometre-scalestructures with standard laboratorytools, combined with growingpublic curiosity in nanotechnology,have resulted in a flurry of academicand commercial interest in nanostructures,in fields as diverse as opticsand medicine.– Laura PrattWhy she’s in the newsA Uof T postdoctoral fellow in imagingresearch at Sunnybrook Research Institute,Matsuura (PhD 2003) wasrecently recognized with the OntarioCouncil on Graduate Studies JohnCharles Polanyi Prize, a $20,000 grantawarded to outstanding researchers inthe early stages of their careers.What her research is aboutNanotechnology is based on the conceptAppointments and DeparturesProfessor David Mock has been reappointeddean of the Faculty of Dentistryfor a four-year term beginning July 1.Mock was originally named dean in 2001, andplayed a key role in establishing Uof T’s Centrefor the Study of Pain and Mount Sinai Hospital’sWasser Pain Management Centre.Professor Jill Matus of English has beenappointed vice-provost, students, for a fiveyearterm beginning July 1. She will be responsiblefor policies affecting students andstudent organizations across the three campuses.Matus has been vice-principal atUniversity College since 2005.Professor Meric Gertler of geography isserving as the Faculty of Arts and Science’sinterim dean. Gertler, who is vice-dean (graduateeducation and research) in the faculty,will act as interim dean until June 30, 2009, oruntil a new dean is appointed.Professor Vivek Goel is stepping downfrom his post as vice-president and provostof U of T, a role he has served in since 2004.Goel has been named the founding presidentand CEO of the Ontario Agency forHealth Protection and Promotion. Philosophyprofessor Cheryl Misak has beenappointed interim vice-president and provost.She has been serving as deputy provostsince July.PHOTOGRAPHY: DOUG NICHOLSON/MEDIA SOURCEWWW.MAGAZINE.UTORONTO.CA 17