University of Saskatchewan Receives More Than $300,000 in CFI Funding

Posted October 21, 2004


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 21, 2004 2004-10-24-OTHER

University of Saskatchewan Receives More Than $300,000 in CFI Funding for
Research in Environment, Technology and Plant Genetics

Today five University of Saskatchewan researchers were awarded grants
totaling $333,044 through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) New
Opportunities Fund.

The grants will back a wide range of research that could yield tools to help
clean up environmental contaminants, develop better computer chips and
software, fight disease-causing parasites, and yield new and improved durum
wheat varieties.

"The projects supported by this round of CFI funding highlights the scope of
scientific research here at the University of Saskatchewan," says
Vice-President Research Steven Franklin.

"We enjoy a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment, one that fosters ideas
and innovation."

The five latest recipients and their CFI New Opportunities Fund grants are:

- Curtis Pozniak (Crop Development Centre) receives $67,600 to purchase
equipment and support research into the development of molecular tools for
breeding durum wheat varieties with enhanced quality characteristics.

- Nadeem Jamali (Computer Science) receives $60,000 to develop a
Hierarchical Peer Grid facility to help develop technologies for organizing
the way computerized devices connect to one another in new "smart"
environments.

- Neil Chilton (Biology) receives $63,444 to develop a molecular systematics
and mutation scanning facility for parasitology. This research will help in
the detection and identification of parasites, and lead to better treatment
and surveillance strategies of these organisms.

- Jian Yang (Pharmacy and Nutrition) receives $62,000 to investigate how
pentachlorophenol (PCP), a major North American environmental pollutant, is
degraded by microorganisms like the soil bacterium Sphingomonas
chlorophenolica. The research will help provide guidelines for developing
more efficient enzymes to clean up PCP contamination.

- Michael Bradley (Physics and Engineering Physics) receives $80,000 to use
plasma implantation technology in the development of advanced photonic
materials. His research could lead to the development of the optical
equivalent of computer chips.

CFI will provide up to 40 per cent of the total $880,283 in funding for the
research projects, with the balance to be made up from other partners.

With this funding, the U of S is eligible for an additional $99,913 from the
CFI's Infrastructure Operating Fund, which contributes to operating and
maintenance costs associated with CFI projects.

"These awards will enable researchers to perform cutting-edge work in
Saskatchewan," says Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the CFI.
"Today's announcement represents what the CFI is all about: providing the
tools to institutions and researchers so that they can do the leading edge
research that will benefit all Canadians."

In total, $23.7 million was awarded under the New Opportunities Fund to 32
universities in every region in the country.

A complete list of New Opportunities Fund projects, by university, can be
found at: www.innovation.ca.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation is an independent corporation created
in 1997 by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. The
CFI's mandate is to strengthen the ability of Canadian universities,
colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions to carry
out world-class research and technology development that will benefit
Canadians.

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For more information, contact:

Dale Worobec
U of S Research Communications
(306) 966-1474
dale.worobec@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research

Valérie Poulin
Coordinator, Media Relations
Canada Foundation for Innovation
(613) 996-3160
Cell: (613) 447-1723