April 30, 2009
Canadian Light Source Synchrotron at U of S Celebrates 2000th Researcher Visit
Posted April 30, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 30, 2009
2009-04-13-CLS
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN – The Canadian Light Source (CLS) recently reached an important milestone in its operational life when Brian Bewer, a University of Saskatchewan (U of S) graduate student, made the 2000th research visit to Canada’s synchrotron.
Bewer, who is working on a Ph.D. in physics with U of S Canada Research Chair Dean Chapman, crossed the 2000 mark while conducting experiments imaging prostate cancer on the BioMedical Imaging and Therapy (BMIT) beamline.
“This is an important milestone for the Canadian Light Source and our user community of academic and industrial scientists,” says CLS Executive Director Josef Hormes. “It shows, in a very concrete way, that the CLS is a resource that is in demand and being used by researchers from Saskatchewan and around the world. I am not surprised that our 2000th user visit was made by a graduate student as they are the people that push science forward and make the most of the opportunity to use a facility like the CLS.”
“Getting the opportunity to use the CLS is probably the most interesting combination of job and educational experience I’ve ever had,” says Bewer. “The facility is outstanding, the people I get to work with are great and the work is really rewarding. The research is just too interesting to pass up.”
Bewer was working on an on-going project with researchers from the U of S College of Medicine and Western College of Veterinary Medicine, led by veterinary professor Gregg Adams, to develop ways of imaging and treating prostate cancer using the synchrotron. At the time of his visit, Bewer was working on imaging a prostate specimen.
The fact that Bewer was the 2000th visitor was reported recently by CLS staff after reviewing 2009 visitor statistics. The first experiment conducted by a researcher visiting the CLS occurred in May, 2005. It is anticipated that the number of visits by researchers to the CLS will grow to 2000 annually once seven beamlines that are currently under construction and in the early stages of testing – such as BMIT – join the seven beamlines that are currently operational.
The Canadian Light Source is Canada’s national centre for synchrotron research. Located at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, the CLS is a powerful tool for academic and industrial research in a wide variety of areas including environmental science, natural resources and energy, health and life sciences, and information and communications technology. CLS operations are funded by the Government of Canada, NSERC, NRC, CIHR, the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan. For more information: www.lightsource.ca/media/quickfacts.php
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For more information contact:
Matthew Dalzell
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Light Source Inc.
University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 657-3739 Cell: (306) 227-0978
matthew.dalzell@lightsource.ca
April 28, 2009
University of Saskatchewan's W. Brett Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence Announces i3 Idea Challenge Student Finalists
Posted April 28, 2009
The University of Saskatchewan today announced the finalists in its i3 Idea Challenge. The i3 student competition, launched by the university’s W. Brett Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence in September 2008, has attracted over 500 U of S undergraduate, graduate and post doctoral students interested in demonstrating entrepreneurship skills and innovative thinking.
“The i3 idea challenge is a vehicle that was designed to create collisions among students on campus and between the business community and U of S students,” said Sanj Singh, director of the W. Brett Wilson Centre. “It’s about connecting the thinking with the doing and encouraging imagination, invention and innovation, the three ‘i’s of the competition. The results have indeed been exponential.”
The top teams, 11 in total, developed business plans for ideas which include: reusing old shipping containers to provide mine site accommodations and affordable homes; a biodiesel production business that utilizes waste vegetable oil for the production of biodiesel; a precast infrastructure manufacturing business that uses short-span bridges, thermally-efficient commercial building wall panels, and residential energy-efficient structures; and heated clothing and accessories for children.
The teams will pitch their business plans to two judging teams on May 9 for a chance to win a $30,000 first place cash prize. Second place will receive $20,000, third place, $10,000, with the remaining teams each receiving $3,125. The top three teams will also receive in kind professional accounting and legal services. Competition judges include: Hugh Wood, co-founder and COO of Vecima Networks, a $140 million market-cap, publicly-traded company originally started in Saskatoon; Amit Gupta, a U of S alumnus and president and CEO of Solido Design, a Silicon Valley company; Earl Eidem, vice president of DynaVenture, one of Saskatchewan's largest privately held family companies; David Waslen, VP of business development of the Prairie Merchant Bank; Randall Morris, president of SIIT; Ron Gerbrandt, executive director of standards for the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure; and Gordon Haddock, co-founder of TREK 2000 which includes highly successful Saskatchewan franchises, such as The Body Shop.
Located in the heart of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the University is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.
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For more information, including a complete listing of winning teams and ideas, visit www.innovate.usask.ca or contact:
Sanj Singh, Director
W. Brett Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence
Edwards School of Business
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-2921
Email: singh@edwards.usask.ca
April 23, 2009
U of S Research Group a Finalist in Canada Excellence Research Chairs Competition
Posted April 23, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Thursday, April 23, 2009
2009-04-09-OTHER
The University of Saskatchewan (U of S), through its Water Research Group, is one step closer to receiving a prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) worth more than $10 million over the next seven years to address sustainable freshwater resource management and assessment on a regional, national and international scale.
Today the federal government announced that the U of S has successfully passed the first of a two-phase, highly competitive process for CERC funding. The U of S research team is one of 40 groups at 17 universities selected from 132 submissions by a blue-ribbon panel to move on to the final phase of the competition.
The 17 universities will now nominate world-leading researchers for recruitment. Selection of up to 20 CERC positions will be based on the highest standards of research excellence. The universities are expected to have completed the recruitment process and be ready to announce the identity of the new chairs early in the fall of 2010.
“We are proud that this outstanding research group has made it to this point in the selection process and we are hopeful that this program will enable us to attract more talent that will build on our strengths, create rich learning opportunities for our students, and help strategically position Canada to ensure water security,” said U of S Acting Vice-President Research Karen Chad.
She noted that with five Canada Research Chairs and 65 full-time faculty currently engaged in water-related research, the U of S is internationally recognized for its strengths in aquatic toxicology, hydrology and aquatic biology. As well, the U of S Toxicology Centre leads the largest and fastest growing toxicology program in Canada, and the new U of S School of Environment and Sustainability is making water resources a strategic priority.
Since fresh water is critical for life and essential for economic prosperity, water scarcity and pollution threaten to create both economic and political challenges, the proposal states. Climate change, industrial expansion and a growing population will further impact both the quantity and quality of water on a global scale.
“Within the next couple of decades, two billion people across the world – including areas of Canada – will experience serious water scarcity or inadequate water quality,” says Toxicology Centre director Karsten Liber, lead author of the proposal. “As human population increases and industrial, agricultural, and municipal demands for freshwater escalate, pressures will mount on these resources and the natural ecosystems they sustain.”
The CERC aims to address both water quality and quantity issues at the watershed level, bringing to bear expertise from aquatic toxicology, hydrology, freshwater biology, engineering, and other disciplines. The CERC will find sustainable solutions to the use of water in support of human needs and economic development.
This initiative will strategically position the U of S to deal with water challenges nationally and internationally, and lead to changes in use, policy, management and reclamation of water, while training Canadian and international students to better ensure the world’s water safety and security.
The Canada Excellence Research Chairs program was created by the federal government to strengthen Canada's ability to be at the leading edge of breakthroughs in priority research areas expected to generate social and economic benefits for Canadians.
For more information about the U of S water research group, visit: http://www.usask.ca/research/research-groups/water/index.php
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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Karsten Liber
Director, Toxicology Centre
(306) 966-7444
Acting Director, School of Environment and Sustainability
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1499
Kris Foster
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
About the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program
• The CERC Program was created to recognize that Canada's future prosperity depends on the ability to attract the highest calibre of researchers to this country, and offers eligible Canadian degree-granting institutions the opportunity to compete in the global market for research talent and establish highly remunerated research chairs at their institutions in research areas that are of strategic importance to Canada.
• This prestigious program will award up to 20 chairholders and their research teams with up to $10 million over seven years to conduct research in areas of strategic importance to Canada. They are targeted at the world's top researchers to develop ambitious research programs in the four priority research areas in the Government of Canada's science and technology (S&T) strategy. For each chair, the university receives up to $1.4 million annually for seven years.
• Canada Excellence Research Chair proposals were invited from a broad range of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health and related sciences.
• The Chairs will be identified through a highly competitive two-stage peer-reviewed process. In Phase 1, Canadian universities will compete for the opportunity to establish chairs at their institution. In Phase 2, a short list of successful universities will nominate world leaders to a limited number of CERC positions. The selection will be based on the highest standards of research excellence. Canadian universities will administer the funds.
For more information on the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program, visit www.cerc.gc.ca.
April 21, 2009
U of S to Lead Two of Canada's 12 New Crop and Bioproducts Genomics Projects
Posted April 21, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 20, 2009
2009-04-08-AG
The University of Saskatchewan will lead two of 12 genomics research projects announced today on campus by the federal government and Genome Canada as part of a major national announcement aimed at strengthening Canada’s crop and bioproducts sectors.
Total investment in the U of S-led projects is more than $17.3 million, with half of the funding from Genome Canada and the rest to be secured from other sources.
A team of experts across Canada led by U of S plant scientist Gordon Rowland and Sylvie Cloutier of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will create genomic tools to accelerate flax research, leading to new marketing opportunities in flax-based human health and industrial products. Part of the $11.9-million project involves determining the DNA sequence of the entire flax genome, knowledge that is critical to improved flax usefulness.
“Our goal is to help develop flax as a dual-purpose crop providing both seeds and straw products of unmatched quality and high value,” said Rowland.
U of S political scientist Peter Phillips of the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and David Castle of the University of Ottawa will lead multi-faceted research into how best to use the new science of genomics to make a difference in the lives of Canadians.
The $5.4-million project focuses on three factors for removing roadblocks to innovation in Canada’s bio-based economy: (1) examining the role of intellectual property, (2) studying new ways of regulating important new agricultural technologies and products, and (3) adapting and testing a range of engagement tools with the Canadian public to determine their interests, fears and attitudes concerning new technologies.
The national news release and backgrounder are available at: http://www.genomecanada.ca/en/medias/news.aspx?i=330
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For more information, contact:
Kathryn Warden
Director
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-2506
Email: kathryn.warden@usask.ca
April 20, 2009
U of S Researchers Awarded $1.66M for Northern, Community and Cultural Projects
Posted April 20, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 20, 2009
2009-04-07-OTHER
With funding announced today from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), University of Saskatchewan (U of S) researchers will launch a three-year project to better understand the political and economic roles that growing Aboriginal communities play in Canada’s North.
The project is part of a $1.66-million investment for 16 U of S projects announced by Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology). In total, $136 million from SSHRC will support approximately 2,500 projects across Canada.
“These projects exemplify the outstanding research in social sciences and humanities at the U of S, and this project illustrates how research can potentially lead to policy development,” said Karen Chad, U of S Acting Vice-President of Research.
“Social sciences and humanities research allows for better understanding of societal issues of the past and present and strengthens communities of the future. This funding allows our researchers and students to have an impact on the issues that are important to communities across Canada.”
The project will explore how Aboriginal populations in northern Saskatchewan engage in political processes and examine the factors that explain these patterns of engagement.
“We hope our findings will provide greater understanding for governments and industry of Aboriginal political values and practices, bolstering efforts to ensure the inclusion of Aboriginal people in any development that affects their communities and lands,” said project lead Bonita Beatty, assistant professor of native studies.
The research team—made up of Beatty, political scientists Greg Poelzer and Loleen Berdahl, and Evelyn Peters, Canada Research Chair and faculty member of the new Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy—sees this project as a critical step towards sustainability and economic development in the North.
“Processes that lead to more effective Aboriginal participation in sustainable northern development and mainstream Canadian politics hold the promise of building an innovative and vibrant economic climate in northern Saskatchewan,” says Poelzer.
Berdahl said the project is cutting edge in its survey techniques of remote, northern communities. “Aboriginal students, the future leaders of northern Saskatchewan, will play a key role in conducting the research,” she said.
Five graduate and undergraduate students will be involved in the project. A potential outcome could be the development of policy instruments in election law that address institutional barriers to voter participation.
Two U of S researchers each succeeded in two competitions:
- In one project, Bram Noble (geography) will research northern communities’ strategic environmental assessment roles and stakes in Arctic oil and gas exploration and development. In another, he will attempt to advance the assessment of effects that development has on watersheds beyond the individual project to the watershed scale, and identify the arrangements necessary to support watershed-based cumulative effects assessment and management.
- Maureen Reed (School of Environment and Sustainability; geography and planning) will assess the effectiveness of governance arrangements in Canadian model forests and biosphere reserves in order to advance sustainability, resilience, and social innovation at the landscape scale. With the School, she will host a public and academic workshop related to accelerated resource development in northwestern Saskatchewan.
Other successful U of S projects include:
- Joel Bruneau (economics) will investigate the relationship between greenhouse gas intensity, international trade, and social institutions.
- Marjorie Delbaere (management and marketing) will examine the influence that metaphors and analogies in direct-to-consumer drug advertisements have on consumer learning.
- Erika Dyck (history) will complete a historical examination of eugenics and sexual sterilization in Saskatchewan and Alberta from 1920 to 1975.
- Peter Li (sociology) will compare the economic outcomes of immigrants who participate in the immigrant enclave economy with those who participate in the mainstream economy in order to assess alternatives to economic integration of immigrants.
- David Natcher (bioresource policy, business and economics) will provide empirical estimates of the economic spillover benefits that northern communities gain from participating in publicly funded research in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
- Brent Nelson (English) will produce an extensive database of 17th century British and Scottish collections of rarities and curiosities. The study of these collections, which were precursors of modern museums, will advance the understanding of how this “culture of curiosity” informed the cultural and intellectual life of early modern England.
- Wendy Roy (English) will examine changing cultural and social relations in Canada through popular Canadian women’s sequel fiction— the Anne of Green Gables books, for example—of the early 20th century.
- Bonnie Stelmach (educational administration) will explore the influence of stakeholder perceptions on the implementation of school community councils’ policy in Saskatchewan.
- Ulrich Teucher (psychology) will research how young adults make sense of having cancer.
- James Waldram (psychology) will contribute to current theoretical and practical understandings of the processes and meanings of healing for Indigenous peoples—specifically Q’eqchi (Maya) of Belize—undergoing a transformation in their practices.
- Zhenyu Wu (finance and management science) will analyze the problem specific to family businesses of motivating the more able children to take over the business rather than seek careers elsewhere.
About SSHRC: SSHRC is an independent federal government agency that funds university-based research and graduate training through national peer-review competitions. SSHRC also partners with public and private sector organizations to focus research and aid the development of better policies and practices in key areas of Canada’s social, cultural and economic life.
About U of S: Located in the heart of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the University is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal, and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.
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For more information, contact:
Kris Foster
Communications Specialist
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
kris.foster@usask.ca
April 16, 2009
U of S Researcher Named Einstein Professor by Chinese Academy of Sciences
Posted April 16, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 16, 2009
2009-04-06-WCVM
University of Saskatchewan toxicologist John Giesy has been named an Einstein Professor by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), a distinction reserved for research leaders with the potential to win Nobel and other international science awards.
The distinction is awarded annually to up to 20 distinguished international professors who are leaders in their respective fields. The Einstein Professor Program aims to enhance the training of strategic science and technology experts and talented senior scientific leaders and to strengthen Chinese scientists' contacts and exchanges with top scientists throughout the world.
Giesy, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Toxicology, is a world-renowned eco-toxicologist who specializes in “green chemistry”—the field of identifying man-made pollutants that are harmful to the environment and then designing safer alternatives.
Giesy and his team created a fast and inexpensive method to test for endocrine disruptors in the environment, a test put forward for adoption as an international standard by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
As of 2007, Giesy was the second most frequently cited author worldwide over the previous 10 years in the combined fields of ecology and environment. He is widely published with more than 650 peer-reviewed articles and seven authored books on his resume. His research has attracted more than $75 million from local, national and international agencies and organizations.
Giesy has worked closely with colleagues in China for more than 15 years and is currently a senior advisor to the Chinese State Environmental Protection Agency.
He will conduct a CAS-organized lecture tour in China, sharing his expertise with top scientists, researchers and graduate students in China. The tour will include stops at City University of Hong Kong and Peking University, among others.
The knowledge transfer goes both ways, says Giesy, professor with the veterinary biomedical sciences department and the Toxicology Centre. “We have been sending our post-doctoral fellows and graduate students to China to participate in these programs for international experience and they are sending students, faculty and post-docs to the U of S. Both Chinese and Canadian scientists are getting a great deal out of it.”
Giesy was the U.S. co-chair of a U.S.-Sino bilateral agreement between the U.S. National Academy of Science and CAS to address environmental issues, and he’s starting to see the impact of this work in China. “One of the outcomes of those meetings was the development of a lot of trust, and now environmental NGOs (non-governmental organizations) are allowed in China. Before 2005, they were not.”
Because of China’s size, its environment has a significant global impact and Giesy says he can make more of a difference on Canada’s environment by working in China. “When I came to the U of S, it was decided that part of my effort would be directed at China. So goes China, so goes the world in many ways, including the environment.”
Located in the heart of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the University is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.
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For more information, contact:
Kris Foster
Communications Specialist
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-2427
kris.foster@usask.ca
John Giesy
Professor and Canada Research Chair in Environmental Toxicology
Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-2096
john.giesy@usask.ca
April 15, 2009
Government of Canada Invests in Infrastructure Upgrade at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the U of S
Posted April 15, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 15, 2009
2009-04-05-WCVM
University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine researchers and students will benefit from upgrades to their Diagnostics Laboratory and Large Animal Clinic thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification (WD).
“Our Government is proud to make this significant investment in the College as it is essential for a competitive Saskatchewan and Canadian livestock industry,” said Minister of State Yelich. “Investments such as these will lead to new diagnostic tests that will protect Canada’s livestock industry and the health and safety of Canadians, their families, and communities.”
The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) is completing a two-storey diagnostics addition and basement that will add approximately 3,000 square metres of new space to the veterinary college’s existing diagnostic facilities. The Diagnostics Laboratory serves the livestock industry in Saskatchewan and frequently provides services for the other western provinces. One of the recent cases of avian influenza in Canada was diagnosed in this lab and new facilities will enhance its bio-security, diagnostic capabilities and efficiency. Routine diagnostic work also leads to research discoveries that ultimately result in new diagnostic tests. Once completed, the biosecure centre will be a major western Canadian hub for veterinary diagnostics services, animal health research and specialized training in diagnostic pathology, virology, bacteriology, immunology and a range of biomedical sciences.
Construction crews are completing a series of renovations in the large animal clinical area of the WCVM Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The new infrastructure and associated equipment at the Large Animal Clinic will provide enhanced use of modern technologies and the development of techniques in the areas of diagnostic imaging, treatment protocol planning, and surgical intervention.
The WD funding of more than $2.7 million announced today will allow the WCVM to complete their Diagnostics Laboratory Expansion and Large Animal Clinic Renovation.
Located in the heart of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the University is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.
“The expansion of the College’s diagnostics area and the renovation of our large animal clinical services will provide our staff and students with specialized, biosecure facilities where they’ll have access to a full range of new technologies,” says WCVM Dean Dr. Charles Rhodes. “This investment is critical to our overall plan for the College. Western Economic Diversification’s support is helping us to build an environment where innovations in diagnostic and clinical techniques can be developed, tested and practically applied — all at one centre. Ultimately, many of these new practices will have a positive impact on the health, productivity and the economic value of livestock herds across Western Canada.”
“This is an exciting boost for a college that brings a broad perspective about health to the university and to Western Canada. By having a vibrant veterinary college on campus, the U of S is more competitive in attracting and retaining talented researchers who will strengthen vital links between animal health, human health and ecosystem health,” says University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon.
The WCVM was created in 1964. Its mission is to provide veterinary education in western Canada and to act as a centre of veterinary expertise and research. The College meets its responsibilities in three major areas; education, research, and service.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
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For additional information, contact:
Lisa Hutniak
Minister’s Office
Western Economic Diversification
Lisa.Hutniak@wd.gc.ca
Toll-Free Number: 1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca
Myrna MacDonald
Communications, Dean's Office
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
Telephone/fax: 306-225-4479
Cell: 306-291-9950
April 07, 2009
CFI Investment Advances U of S Health and Space Research
Posted April 07, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 7, 2009
2009-04-04-OTHER
University of Saskatchewan (U of S) researchers have been awarded a total of $445,907 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) in support of research projects on space simulation, population health, mental disorders, and other areas.
The new funding from the CFI Leaders Opportunity Fund was announced today, supporting 117 projects at 29 institutions across Canada.
“This investment provides our researchers with the resources needed to make a difference in Canada and in the lives of Canadians,” says Karen Chad, U of S Acting Vice-President of Research. “It is further evidence that the University of Saskatchewan is home to researchers that address key issues of today.”
The U of S projects are:
- Li Chen (electrical and computer engineering) will use a space-simulation chamber to develop electronic devices and systems that tolerate radiation and harsh temperatures found in outer space and other extreme environments. Collaboration partners are from national and international institutions, including the Johnson Space Center, NASA.
- Wendy Duggleby and Donna Goodridge (nursing) will establish the Quality End of Life Research Centre to support research focused on improving health care provided to people with terminal illnesses. The centre will also be a national training center for students and researchers.
- John Howland (psychology) will develop a multidisciplinary neuroscience research laboratory that will combine advanced behavioural and electrophysiological techniques to understand the mechanisms governing brain-behaviour relationships and mental disorders such as schizophrenia, drug addiction, and depression.
- Longhai Li (mathematics and statistics) will use a high-performance computer cluster to help solve difficult statistical problems from life science research, such as identifying susceptibility genes for certain diseases, which eventually will benefit the health of Canadians.
- Lisa Lix (School of Public Health) will establish a laboratory to research the quality of administrative health data and its use in population health and health services research. The lab will benefit her collaborative research with clinicians, health services researchers, and epidemiologists from across Canada.
- Artur Sowa (mathematics and statistics) will further research characterization and simulation of quantum systems and carry out a collaborative research project on bio- and chemical-nanosensors for application in diagnosis of pulse crop diseases.
“The investments being announced today at the University of Saskatchewan will further enhance our country’s reputation as a destination of choice for outstanding researchers,” says Dr. Eliot Phillipson, CFI President. “They will make our universities even more competitive when it comes to attracting the best and brightest researchers from around the world.”
“The Government of Canada is proud to support Canada’s talented researchers with the Leaders Opportunity Fund,” says Saskatoon-Humboldt MP Brad Trost. “Our researchers must have the very best tools to maximize their talents; the Leaders Opportunity Fund helps make those tools available. We know that these resources will help bring forth discoveries that will benefit all Canadians.”
About CFI: The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. Since its creation in 1997, the CFI has committed almost $4.5 billion in support of more than 6,000 projects at 129 institutions in 64 municipalities across Canada.
Located in the heart of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the University is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.
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For more information, contact:
Kris Foster
Communications Specialist,
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-2427
kris.foster@usask.ca
Yves Melanson
Coordinator, Media Relations
Canada Foundation for Innovation
613-996-3160
613-447-1723 (Cell.)
yves.melanson@innovation.ca
April 01, 2009
U of S Unveils New Resources to Support Data-Intensive Research
Posted April 01, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 1, 2009
2009-04-02-OTHER
New data storage resources at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) will help science, math and engineering faculty uncover more accurate results in a faster timeframe for their large-scale and data-intensive research challenges.
Installation of the new IBM storage system – a $3.2-million investment among WestGrid, the U of S, the Province of Saskatchewan, IBM and the Canada Foundation for Innovation – is the newest addition to WestGrid’s inter-institutional pool of storage and computing facilities. WestGrid is a user-driven organization that provides high-performance computing (HPC), collaboration and visualization infrastructure to researchers across Canada. The U of S is one of 14 partner institutions that support and use WestGrid resources.
“It is clear that robust, high-performing storage is something that is becoming increasingly important for many researchers,” said Raymond Spiteri, U of S professor of computer science and WestGrid’s U of S representative. “There are a number of research projects across Canada, including those related to the Canadian Light Source that can make use of large data storage.”
One of those researchers is John Tse, a Canada Research Chair and professor with the university’s department of physics and engineering physics. Tse uses WestGrid resources to model structures and properties of new materials under extreme conditions.
“It would be very difficult, if not impossible, to continue my research without the high-performance computing and storage facilities available at WestGrid,” says Tse. “The availability of a very large storage facility opens a new area of research for me.”
The new WestGrid storage resources will alleviate an existing lack of data storage capacity in Western Canada, as well as increase the size, resolution and depth of researcher analysis and calculations. Researchers in Humanities departments, who often deal with large sets of research data, are expected to take advantage of the extra storage capabilities for archiving purposes.
“Data storage, retrieval, and organization are key challenges for supporting new research and the U of S is pleased to contribute to the national HPC plan,” says Jason Hlady, U of S HPC coordinator and WestGrid site lead. “This facility lets researchers share their data nationally and globally by providing a home for data repositories, data collections and scientific portals.”
This equipment installation is part of a larger national strategy, spearheaded by Compute Canada and initiated by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, to build and integrate a shared distributed High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure across the country.
“Compute Canada is pleased to work with WestGrid and all the consortia partners to provide the HPC access and storage that allows Canadian researchers to work in a highly productive and competitive research environment, to focus on accelerating their research, and to remain among world leaders in their field,” said Susan Baldwin, Executive Director of Compute Canada. “I also wish to acknowledge the Government of Canada, the provincial governments and the Canada Foundation for Innovation for their funding of these essential HPC resources.”
SRnet, Saskatchewan’s provincial research network, and the CANARIE network, Canada’s national advanced research and education network, will be used to connect these new data storage resources to the rest of WestGrid’s resource pool.
Located in the heart of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the University is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.
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For more information, contact:
Jana Makar
WestGrid
(403) 210-5489
jana.makar@cybera.ca
Leanne Nyirfa
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
leanne.nyirfa@usask.ca
