Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine – The University of Lethbridge today expanded its linkages in the Ukraine by signing agreements with two research universities.

On behalf of the U of L, Vice-President (Research) Dan Weeks signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University (IFNMU) to collaborate on research studies in occupational and environmental exposures to ionizing radiation. These studies will include the effects of industrial pollutants.

On Tuesday, Weeks signed an MOU with the R.E. Kavetsky, Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the National Research Centre for Radiation Medicine of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine (RCRM) to study the epigenetic effects on the workers at the Chernobyl power plants including cancer occurrences.

Epigenetics is the study of how an individual gene can go wrong or not work properly over a person's lifetime, and in in response to environmental conditions or other factors. (Epigenetics means beyond genetics in Latin).

Weeks also signed an MOU with the Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas (IFNTUOG). This MOU focuses on collaborative efforts in the areas of remote sensing, geomatics, water quality monitoring and water resource management. This collaboration includes the possible exchange of faculty and graduate students in these fields.

Weeks is currently participating in a mission in Ukraine led by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) aimed at formalizing linkages between Canada and Ukraine, and their post-secondary sectors. The trip includes Canadian University Presidents, Vice-Presidents and Deans representing Universities from across Canada.