UNB News
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Four research initiatives at the University of New Brunswick have been awarded a total of $790,044 from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI). “The investments announced at UNB will further enhance our country’s reputation as a destination of choice for outstanding researchers,” said Dr. Gilles G. Patry, president and CEO of the CFI. “They will make our universities even more competitive when it comes to attracting the best and brightest researchers from around the world.” Greg Kealey, UNB’s vice-president research and provost welcomed the CFI’s investment. “Partnerships, such as the one we have with the CFI, allow us to be a leader in discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Dr. Kealey.  “The UNB researchers recognized today are making some significant contributions to our country.” Thanks to a $368,724 contribution from the CFI and in partnership with the New Brunswick Department of Health, Nicole Letourneau and Ted McDonald will set up a health policy laboratory at the University of New Brunswick. Dr. Letourneau and Dr. McDonald’s project is one of four research initiatives at UNB awarded money last week from the CFI in Guelph, Ont. The Health Policy Laboratory is where Dr. Letourneau, Dr. McDonald and their team will collect and analyze health statistics from New Brunswick medical records to help provincial health care administrators address the province's most pressing health issues. The other UNB researchers who were recognized last week were Victoria Chester, professor in kinesiology; Shawn MacLellan, professor in biology; and Adam Dyker, professor in chemistry. Dr. Chester received $136,518 for infrastructure for the new Human Performance Lab, which will be a feature in UNB’s new Richard J. CURRIE CENTER. The $127,872 Dr. MacLellan received will go towards his research in gene expression in bacteria.  His work will provide us with a better understanding of how bacterial diseases affect people. Last, but not least, $156,930 went to Dr. Dyker to open a specialized laboratory that will allow him to improve the batteries we use in everyday life, by making them less toxic and more efficient. “Our government recognizes that supporting innovation is a key component to helping every region of the country grow and prosper,” said Minister Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, ACOA and the Atlantic Gateway and MP for Fredericton.  “We are proud to assist top institutions like UNB get the resources they need to foster innovative technologies.” CFI announced a total of $61,291,274 in new funds to support 246 projects at 48 institutions across Canada. For a complete list of the projects awarded, please visit www.innovation.ca. For further information: Natasha Ashfield Communications Officer University of New Brunswick 506-458-7969 Natasha.ashfield@unb.ca Yves Melanson Coordinator, Media Relations Canada Foundation for Innovation Tel.: 613-996-3160 Cell.: 613-447-1723 yves.melanson@innovation.ca