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