Released on August 16, 2005
Five research projects at the University of Saskatchewan will receive over $500,000 from the Government of Saskatchewan through the province's Innovation and Science Fund. The contribution matches that provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation's (CFI) New Opportunities Fund and Canada Research Chairs Program.The funding will provide:
• $174,800 for infrastructure that will assist Qiaoqin Yang, Canada Research Chair in Nanonengineering Coating Technologies, to create and develop super-hard surface coatings to protect such items as tools, machine parts, magnetic storage media and biomedical implants from wear;
• $162,000 for infrastructure that will assist Monique Dubé, Canada Research Chair in Aquatic Health System Diagnosis, to help identify environmental changes in river systems and in the health of the rivers' bugs and fish;
• $78,000 to biologist Ken Wilson to enhance understanding of how plants, particularly Saskatchewan algae species, respond to environmental changes including those changes experienced as a result of global warming;
• $73,768 to engineering professor Xiongbiao (Daniel) Chen to establish a unique regional and national precision fluid manipulation laboratory to develop new methods of applying fluid in electronics packaging processes and new techniques for creating artificial tissues and organs; and
• $57,000 to agricultural scientist Tim Mutsvangwa for research into feed for beef and dairy cattle to improve productivity and the environmental impact of livestock operations.
"This support will contribute to research advances in biotechnology, health, agriculture and the environment," Learning Minister Andrew Thomson said. "Since 2000 when the fund was introduced, the province has contributed nearly $52 million in Innovation and Science Fund grants to support research in our province. This funding has helped Saskatchewan's research institutions expand in innovative directions and develop a solid research infrastructure while supporting the province's priority to encourage and diversify our research sector."
"Advances in human health and the environment, as well as new technologies to better our lives, depend on the sustained support of our partners in government," U of S President Peter MacKinnon said. "This partnership is the foundation of a strong research community, able to address questions of critical importance to society, while creating a vibrant learning environment for our students."
"The capacity of a country to innovate rests largely on the availability of highly qualified people. Since research is the foundation of innovation, it is critical that Canadian institutions are successful in attracting and retaining the very best talent," CFI President and CEO Dr. Eliot Phillipson said. "The CFI is proud to be a partner in these outstanding research projects that will benefit all Canadians."
The Innovation and Science Fund supports research at Saskatchewan's universities, colleges, and research institutes on projects receiving approval and funding from the CFI, the Canada Research Chairs and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. Innovation and Science Fund recipients for 2005/06 will be recognized at the Premier's Celebration of Innovation and Science in spring 2006.
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. The CFI's mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals and other non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306)787-5609 | Kathryn Warden University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Phone: (306)966-2506 |
Alastair Sinclair Canada Foundation for Innovation Ottawa Phone: (613) 996-3160 |