Top SFU News stories of 2018

Being named Canada’s top comprehensive university for the 10th time in 11 years capped an electrifying 2018 at SFU.

This past year saw the arrival of the university’s two Canada 150 chairs as well as the high-profile joint-conferral (with UBC) of an honorary doctorate of laws degree on His Highness the Aga Khan.

Here’s a look back at some of the top SFU stories of 2018.

SFU’s Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office opens

Simon Fraser University’s Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office (SVSPO) opened in February to serve as the university’s central hub for accessing support, education and leadership around sexual violence and misconduct. The office provides confidential support, information and referrals. It is accessible to any SFU community member (student, staff or faculty) impacted by sexual misconduct or violence, regardless of when or where the incident took place.

SFU’s Robert Hogg inducted as member of Order of Canada for contributions to HIV/AIDS research

Robert Hogg was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada thanks to his extensive contributions to HIV/AIDS research. Hogg has been a member of the SFU Health Sciences Faculty since 2006 where he helped to establish the SFU Interdisciplinary Research Centre for HIV.

HIV strains mutating in Saskatchewan

Strains of the HIV virus have mutated in Saskatchewan, placing individuals who contract HIV in the province in danger of quickly progressing to life-threatening, AIDS-defining illnesses if they are not taking HIV antiretroviral therapy. SFU health sciences professor Zabrina Brumme led the study with researchers from the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, SFU, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), as well as Saskatchewan physician-researchers.