We have enjoyed a number of group social events in recent years, in addition to post-thesis defense activities.

             These have included mid-summer beach parties, group dinners and end-of-term group lunches.

       And, for some of us, a week in Cayo Coco, Cuba, in February a few years ago. 

             See below for a few candid photos

Next five photos: group Secret Santa and end-of-term lunch, Dec., 2011

Next four photos: group dinner chez Baird, Nov., 2011

Annual group beach day, summer 2011

We were visited in 2011 by Dr. Kazuo Takaoki, Sumitomo, Japan, and Professor John Brown, Oxford University.

Alex + Kazuo

Kevin + Kazuo

Alex + John

Andrew & Sogol + John

After the Secret Santa and before lunch at the University Club (see below), Xmas, '09.

Annual group beach day, summer '09

Group BBQ and celebration of Danielle's successful thesis defence, summer '09

Mike with an old friend, Prof Troels Skrystrup, now at Aarhus University, Denmark.

Troels was back for his 25th class reunion in September, 2008

After the 2008 Secret Santa

A group dinner: Sarah, Shay, Danielle & Shirl

The UGs

                                                                                    Some might have had too much to drink.

Kevin, Adam & Heidi

Au revoire Cecile (3rd from the left)

After bowling, fall term, 2008

Kevin at the beach, summer of '08

At the beach, summer of '08

Outlet Beach

                                                                                                At the Brew Pub, summer '08

End of term group lunch, April, 2008

Secret Santa, Dec., 2007; Shalyn in charge

Eager anticipation

For the guy who has everything; a new lab manual?

The littlest girl gets the biggest present!

The bribes get better every year.

Big smile; the last Secret Santa for this guy.

Greg et Danielle

And then lunch

And then some group members at the trough at another lunch: the departmental Christmas party.

Joint Baird-Jessop "Group Meeting" at Outlet Beach    

                   Cayo Coco - our hotel complex                                                                   The view from one of our hotel rooms

               Cayo Coco - the beach near the hotel                                                        Use of the catamarans was part of the package

                        Shirley and Em in kayaks                                                                                                and in a cat

                                          At the buffet                                                                                      and at the Japanese restaurant

Shirley, and some things from the coral reef (which thankfully was 2 km offshore)

       We still had our weekly group meeting, of course                                                              Emily cogitating, Goran not

     A typical lunch; all drinks were free, 24 hours/day                                                          There was nightly "entertainment"

which Greg V, at least, seemed to appreciate

And finally, one of the local critters