CFI Invests $120,000 to Support Two New U of S Researchers

Posted March 04, 2003


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 4, 2003 2003-03-03-AR

CFI Invests $120,000 to Support Two New U of S Researchers

A $120,000 investment announced today by the Canada Foundation for
Innovation (CFI) will help provide cutting-edge infrastructure for two
University of Saskatchewan research projects that will enhance the
capabilities of the Canadian software industry and advance both seismic
imaging and nuclear test monitoring.

"Today's announcement will provide two of our talented new faculty with the
tools they need to do leading-edge research," said Acting Vice-President
Research Bryan Harvey. "Attracting and retaining such high-calibre
researchers to our university is absolutely vital to enhancing
Saskatchewan's ability to compete in a knowledge-based global economy."

Along with this new money from the CFI New Opportunities Fund which is
designed to help launch the careers of new and talented faculty members, U
of S becomes eligible for an additional $36,000 from the CFI Infrastructure
Operating Fund which contributes to operating and maintenance costs
associated with CFI projects.

"Building the capacity of our local researchers to do quality research is
essential," said the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Works and
MP for Wascana. "These researchers are leaders in their field and are
helping to build the capacity needed to conduct quality research in our
community."

The two projects are:

- Igor Morozov (geological sciences) -- $60,000 for a $208,494 computer
system that will be used in seismic imaging to create new models of the
Earth's crust and upper mantle.

It will also be used to study the recordings and measure the property of
seismic waves from peaceful nuclear explosions that took place in the
Soviet Union during the '70s and '80s. This information will allow
researchers to distinguish underground nuclear explosions from mine blasts
and earthquakes, contributing to the international effort to monitor nuclear
weapon tests or explosions in accordance with the Comprehensive Nuclear
Test-Ban Treaty which Canada ratified in 1998.

The facility will directly contribute to student training in geophysics,
geology and computer science.

- Kevin Schneider (computer science) -- $60,000 to establish a $150,000,
unique-in-Canada lab for designing and evaluating advanced computer
software.

The lab, to be built in the new Software Engineering Laboratory in the
Thorvaldson Building by the fall of 2004, will include a wall-sized,
high-resolution display screen, computers, workstations and a high-speed
network. It will be used for research into innovative software development
techniques and will involve the training of dozens of students and research
associates. Customized software evaluation work will also be done with
companies. There is potential to commercialize discoveries of new software
designs.

Total funding to U of S from the CFI New Opportunities Fund has now reached
more than $5.35 million for 36 projects since the inception of the program.

Selection criteria include quality of research, need for infrastructure, and
potential benefits of the research to Canada. CFI funds 40 per cent of the
costs, and researchers must come up with the remainder from other sources.

Today's announcement is part of $13.7 million announced nationally under the
New Opportunities Fund, along with $4 million from the Infrastructure
Operating Fund.

"The New Opportunities Fund is helping universities to attract and retain
some of Canada's exceptional researchers and provide them with the
opportunity to accelerate their research careers," said Carmen Charette, CFI
Senior Vice-President.

"This investment in our nation's researchers will help strengthen Canada's
capacity to innovate and to rank among the most innovative countries in the
world," said Allan Rock, Minister of Industry.

The CFI is an independent, not-for-profit corporation established by the
Government of Canada in 1997 to strengthen the capacity for innovation in
Canadian universities and research institutions.

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For more information:

Kathryn Warden
University of Saskatchewan
Research Communications
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
(306) 966-2506
www.usask.ca/research

Douglas Lauriault
Canada Foundation for Innovation
Office: (613) 996-3193
Cell: (613) 447-1723