CFI Invests More Than $660,000 to Support 10 New U of S Researchers
Posted June 18, 2003
Tweet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 11 a.m., June 18, 2003 2003-06-07-OTHER
CFI Invests More Than $660,000 to Support 10 New U of S Researchers
Today University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon welcomed an
investment of $663,916 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to
provide cutting-edge infrastructure support for 10 newly recruited faculty
members.
"Today's announcement recognizes some of our new faculty members whose
innovative and nationally competitive work will help find new ways to combat
bacteria-caused disease, better methods for assessing nervous system
disorders, and more effective treatment of soil and water contaminants -- to
cite just a few examples of our outstanding projects," said MacKinnon.
"Today's announcement is a good news story for the University of
Saskatchewan which will bring economic and social benefits to the local
community and the region," said Wascana MP Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public
Works and Government Services.
"These awards recognize new researchers whose work will surely be of direct
benefit to Canadians in a wide range of fields," said CFI President David
Strangway. "These projects were selected following a highly competitive
process and will help ensure that researchers and students at the University
of Saskatchewan have access to a world-class research and training
environment."
U of S awards:
- Steven Siciliano (soil sciences) -- $106,500 for a unique-in-Canada
project that uses leading-edge technology to assess the effect and fate of
soil contaminants in arctic ecosystems. This research will contribute to
public policy regarding sustainable development that respects northern
Aboriginal traditions.
- Gordon Binsted (kinesiology) -- $84,000 for state-of-the-art motion and
eye-tracking equipment to examine the progression of neurological disorders
such as MS, which often affects visual-motor skills, and to develop more
sensitive measures for assessing clinical and medical interventions.
- Derek Peak (soil science) -- $81,458 for a unique-in-Western Canada
spectrometer to study the surface chemistry of inorganic molecules in the
soil, work that may result in more effective treatment of arsenic, selenium,
and chromium-contaminated soils and phosphate-contaminated surface waters.
- Ian Fleming (geological engineering) -- $67,075 towards equipment for a
Waste Management and Geo-Environmental Engineering Laboratory to study
environmental processes related to soil contamination, landfill gas and
waste stabilization.
- Judit Smits (veterinary pathology) -- $66,750 to study the immune systems
of wild birds in order to measure the health and sustainability of disturbed
or contaminated environments in which birds live.
- Bill Patterson (geological sciences) -- $64,466 towards a unique-in-Canada
computer-controlled robotic facility that will allow researchers to track
ancient climate changes and predict future climate patterns.
- Yu Luo (biochemistry) -- $51,667 over five years for equipment to study
bacterial proteins using X-ray crystallography at the U of S-owned Canadian
Light Source synchrotron (www.lightsource.ca). This work could result in
new ways to combat disease caused by bacteria.
- David Janz (veterinary biomedical sciences) -- $50,000 for equipment that
will combine advances in biomedical technology and fisheries science to
assess the health of Canadian fish populations impacted by climate change
and aquatic pollutants such as industrial and agricultural waste.
- Kirstin Bett (plant sciences) -- $48,000 to study the molecular genetics
of pulse crop quality, which will lead to improved varieties for Canadian
pulse growers.
- Robert Johanson (electrical engineering) -- $44,000 for equipment to
produce new optical materials for photonic devices used in modern
communication systems.
Today's announcement is part of $33.5 million announced nationally under the
New Opportunities Fund designed to help launch the careers of new and
talented faculty members. As well, $10 million was announced nationally
from the Infrastructure Operating Fund.
Selection criteria included 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.
Total funding to U of S from the CFI New Opportunities Fund has now reached
more than $6 million for 47 projects since the inception of the program.
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.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications Officer
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
Valerie Poulin
Media Relations
Canada Foundation for Innovation
(613) 447-1723
Valerie.poulin@innovation.ca
www.innovation.ca
