The CFI to provide infrastructure support to Canada 150 Research Chairs

OTTAWA, ONTARIO — Canada 150 Research Chairs at three Canadian universities will receive more than $800,000 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) for state-of-the-art research infrastructure that will help them carry out world-class research.

Among the list of recipients is Australian researcher Shari Louise Forbes, who will use the funding to establish a Forensic Thanatology laboratory at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières to focus on the study of death and the biochemical changes that occur to the postmortem body in the Canadian ecosystem. This will enhance the recovery, identification and repatriation of victim remains in cases of missing persons, homicide, mass disasters and war crimes.

In addition, Borries Demeler will come to Canada from Texas to carry out biophysical studies of molecular systems at the macro level at the University of Lethbridge. Information obtained will be critical for the study of molecules in human disease including cancer, HIV, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and will contribute new information to further the understanding of basic molecular processes occurring in the cell.

Ian Manners of the United Kingdom will establish a laboratory at the University of Victoria to study synthetic materials, which will provide training of highly qualified personnel and has considerable potential to make a contribution to the creation of new products and technologies such as displays, electronics and biomedicine.

The CFI is supporting the three Chairs through its John R. Evans Leaders Fund, which allows universities and colleges to attract top talent from across the globe in diverse fields of research by providing them with the state-of-the art infrastructure required to think big and innovate.

“At the CFI we support Canada’s universities, colleges and hospitals to create the conditions and environment needed to attract and retain top researchers,” says Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and CEO of the CFI. “The Canada 150 Research Chairs program offers a fine illustration of collaboration among agencies and a wonderful way to build the future so we can celebrate Canada’s next 150 years!”

Read: Canada’s Brain Gain. Round 2.

Read: Canada 150 Research Chairholders