Brandon University researchers Dr. Mousumi Majumder and Dr. Sarah Plosker have been awarded prestigious Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grants for the 2025 competition year, supporting long-term, high-impact research programs that advance fundamental knowledge and provide training opportunities for highly qualified personnel.
Together, the two awards total $420,000 over five years, reinforcing Brandon University's growing research strengths across the sciences, from cellular and molecular biology to mathematical foundations of quantum information.
Dr. Mousumi Majumder
Dr. Mousumi Majumder, Canada Research Chair in Genotoxicology and Professor in the Department of Biology, has received $195,000 over five years for her project titled "Molecular and Cellular Orchestration of MicroRNA and Prostaglandin E2 Receptor EP4 in Response to Oxidative Stress."
Oxidative stress is a natural cellular process that occurs when reactive metabolic byproducts overwhelm the body's antioxidant defenses, contributing to redox imbalance and playing a role in cardiovascular disease and other health conditions. Dr. Majumder's research investigates how small non-coding RNAs known as microRNAs, along with prostaglandin E2 receptor EP4 signalling, regulate endothelial cell responses to oxidative stress.
Using human vascular endothelial cells and advanced transcriptomic approaches, the research aims to identify novel molecular regulators of redox balance and map the complex interactions between microRNAs, target genes, and EP4 signalling pathways.
"This research will help us better understand how cells adapt to oxidative stress at the molecular level," said Dr. Majumder. "By uncovering the roles of microRNAs and EP4 signalling in maintaining redox balance, we hope to advance fundamental knowledge that may ultimately inform strategies for managing stress-related cellular damage. The grant also allows us to provide world-class training for students in molecular biology and functional genomics."
Dr. Sarah Plosker
Dr. Sarah Plosker, Canada Research Chair in Quantum Information Theory and Professor in the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science, has been awarded $225,000 over five years for her project "Spectral Graph Theoretic Aspects of Quantum State Transfer."
Quantum state transfer (QST) is a key concept in quantum information theory, with direct implications for quantum computing and quantum communication networks. Dr. Plosker's research explores the deep mathematical structures underlying QST by applying and advancing tools from spectral graph theory, a field of pure mathematics.
Her work bridges discovery and innovation by developing new mathematical theory inspired by physically relevant problems in quantum systems, contributing to Canada's broader National Quantum Strategy.
"My research is motivated by questions in quantum information theory but grounded in pure mathematics," said Dr. Plosker. "By revealing the mathematical foundations behind different types of quantum state transfer, we can better understand, and ultimately better exploit, quantum dynamics. This program will also provide students with valuable experience tackling open problems at the intersection of pure and applied mathematics."
Dr. Christoph LeMoine, Dean of Science, emphasized the breadth and impact of the two projects, "These NSERC Discovery Grants highlight the strength and diversity of research within the Faculty of Science at Brandon University," said Dr. LeMoine. "From cutting-edge cellular biology to foundational advances in quantum mathematics, Dr. Majumder and Dr. Plosker are leading programs that contribute to global scientific knowledge while providing exceptional training opportunities for our students."
Vice-President (Research & Graduate Studies) Dr. Bernadette Ardelli noted the importance of sustained funding for long-term discovery, "NSERC Discovery Grants are essential for supporting deep, curiosity-driven research that leads to transformative advances over time," said Dr. Ardelli. "These awards recognize the excellence of our researchers and reflect Brandon University's commitment to fostering impactful scholarship, interdisciplinary discovery, and meaningful student engagement in research."
NSERC Discovery Grants support ongoing programs of research and are among Canada's most competitive federal research awards, enabling researchers to pursue fundamental questions while mentoring the next generation of scientists and scholars.
