Canada Foundation for Innovation invests in U of G
Researchers at the University of Guelph currently working to find solutions in the fight against cancer and other diseases received almost $1.3 million in federal contributions on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Ed Holder, the Minister of State (Science and Technology), made the announcement at the University of Saskatchewan during an event for the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). The announcement highlighted over $27 million in contributions for tools, infrastructure, and research to 37 different universities across Canada. Seven awards have been handed to University of Guelph research projects across four colleges.
John Livernois, University of Guelph’s Interim Vice-President of Research, noted the importance of this funding for both the campus and the community.
“This vital investment in U of G’s research capacity reflects the quality of our researchers,” said Livernois, “and their dedication to innovation and discovery.”
Katryn Preuss, of the Chemistry department, in coordination with Engineering professors Emily Chiang and Brajesh Dubey, received $400,000 – the top prize awarded to the University of Guelph – to create molecule-based materials with novel functions to handle waste material, such as e-waste, nanoparticle waste, and mining and metallurgical waste.
Jim Uniacke, a professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology, received almost $125,000, which he will use to purchase a hypoxia system – the first to grace the University of Guelph campus. This purchase will allow Uniacke and a team of researchers to grow cells under low oxygen, which are common in tumours.
“Understanding how cancer cells adapt to low oxygen is crucial in developing new treatments,” Uniacke noted. “This award will be fundamental toward establishing a successful research program.”
The Department Molecular and Cellular Biology saw a few other awards head their way. Professor Tariq Akhtar received nearly $120,000 to fund the development of a plant metabolic biochemistry laboratory, while Professor Ryan Scott received over $250,000 to fund a new neurodevelopment and degeneration laboratory.
Anthony Mutsaers, a clinical studies professor, received $125,000, which will allow him to equip a cancer research lab at the Ontario Veterinary College. The funding will purchase new equipment to measure metabolic effects in cancer cells and stem cells, which will allow Mutsaers and fellow researchers to “control oxygen levels to better replicate within the laboratory the environment in which targeted cancer drugs will be exposed once they advance into clinical trials.”
Linda Parker, a Psychology professor, also received $125,000 to fund her research of the relief of nausea in chemotherapy patients. Along with fellow researchers, Parker will test drugs and naturally produced chemicals that may prevent the occurrence of nausea, as well as directly measuring “the release of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in specific brain regions.”
Rounding out the seven University of Guelph recipients, Professor Jonathan Newman, of the Department of Environmental Sciences, received almost $125,000 for his research in biology, agronomy, ecological invasions, and climate change.
The John R. Evans Leaders Fund, which will directly provide the contributions, was created to aid universities in attracting and retaining leading researchers and innovative faculty.