TORONTO, April 13, 1998 -- York University, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and MDS Sciex will announce the establishment of a new $2 million Chair in Analytical Mass Spectrometry at York University on Wed., April 15.

National award-winning chemist Dr. Michael Siu is the holder of the new NSERC/MDS Sciex Industrial Research Chair. His appointment is a crucial step in ensuring that researchers and scholars who want access to cutting-edge equipment, facilities and training in the high-tech field of scientific instrumentation can pursue their careers here in Canada, at York University.

Analytical mass spectrometry is used to identify a substance or to analyze for foreign compounds in samples -- to detect herbicides in lake water, for instance, or to analyze pharmaceuticals or to test an athlete's blood.

The important academic-government-industry partnership involves York, NSERC and MDS Sciex, a Canadian-owned manufacturer of scientific equipment. It gives students an opportunity to explore analytical mass spectrometry, an exciting area of analytical chemistry that is growing rapidly.

WHAT:
Announcement of NSERC\MDS Sciex Industrial Research Chair in Analytical Mass Spectrometry at York University

Photo opportunity: Tour of laboratory

WHO:
Dr. Tom Brzustowski, President, NSERC
Mr. Bill Garriock, President, MDS Sciex
Dr. Lorna Marsden, President, York University
Dr. Michael Siu, Chairholder

WHEN:
Wednesday, April 15, 1998, 1 p.m.

WHERE:
Room 320, Norman Bethune College Art Gallery
4700 Keele St., York University, Toronto

Please note: Photo op following remarks in rooms 437, 439 of the Chemistry and Computer Science Building.

For more information or directions, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087

Robert Roy
NSERC
(613) 992-9001

Wilma Jacobs
MDS Inc.
(416) 675-6777, ext. 2422
YU/036/98