Government of Canada invests $1.9 million in research at the University of Regina

News Release Release Date: August 10, 2011 12:00 p.m.

The evolution of the universe and usage of agricultural pesticides are just a few of the research areas at the University of Regina which have received funding in the latest round of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) grants, scholarships and fellowships.

The funding, over $1.9 million, has been awarded to 14 researchers at the University of Regina through the NSERC Discovery Grants Program, as well as to five graduate students and one post-doctoral fellow through the NSERC 2011 Scholarships and Fellowships competition.

"Research is a key part of our academic mission as a university, and NSERC funding is an important means of helping our researchers continue their work," says Vianne Timmons, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Regina. "I would like to congratulate our faculty and student researchers who have been recognized by NSERC in this most recent round of funding. Through their work, they are making a difference in the lives of others, here in Saskatchewan and beyond our borders."

"These programs are key tools for unleashing the creative power of our most innovative students and researchers," said Dr. Suzanne Fortier, President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. "The Discovery Grants Program has an outstanding international reputation because it has a very broad scope and offers researchers a lot of flexibility. Our scholarships and fellowships programs play a key role in attracting and retaining the best brains in Canada."

Examples of some of the research that will be undertaken with this funding include:

Improving management practices for pesticide use: Renata Raina, associate professor of chemistry, was awarded $140,000 to study the concentration and transportation of pesticides in the air in three key agricultural regions in Western Canada throughout the growing season. This new information will help the agricultural industry better understand the effects of pesticides on the environment and air quality in these different agricultural regions and help develop improved management practices for pesticide use.

Shedding light on evolution of the universe: Physics professors Edward Mathie and Mauricio Barbi and TRIUMF Scientist Roman Tacik have received a $160,225 award to study how the building blocks of nature interact and form the universe. The fundamental research being conducted in this project is part of the international Tokai-to-Kamioka (T2K project) in Japan. This research will help to improve humankind's knowledge of our natural world and inspire the next generation of scientists in their quest to understand the creation of the universe.

NSERC is a federal agency that helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for all Canadians. The agency supports some 30,000 post-secondary students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. It promotes discovery by funding more than 12,000 professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 1,500 Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research projects.

For a complete list of all University of Regina NSERC funding recipients, please visit: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/NSERC-CRSNG/FundingDecisions-DecisionsFinancement/ResearchGrants-SubventionsDeRecherche/ResultsInsDetail-ResultatsEtabDetails_eng.asp?Year=2011&Province=Saskatchewan&Institution=Regina