he Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has announced more than $14.6 million in funding to support research excellence across SFU, in its latest round of Discovery Grants.
The new funding is awarded to 49 SFU researchers from six faculties, with the faculties of Science and Applied Sciences receiving $10.27 and $2.8 million respectively.
The Discovery Grants program supports the development and sustainability of a diverse, high-quality research base in the natural sciences and engineering at Canadian universities, fosters research excellence and strengthens the research training environment. Most grants have a five-year time frame, enabling sustained investigation into areas like fundamental physics, climate change, low-carbon energy, health sciences and environmental sciences.
"Canada's greatest competitive advantage is our people, says Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. "By investing in our world-class researchers and innovators right here at home, we are helping turn Canadian discoveries into new technologies, growing companies, and good jobs. At a time of rapid global change we are backing Canadian talent, strengthening our economy, and ensuring Canada remains a global leader in innovation, competitiveness, and resilience."
"Congratulations to our researchers whose work continues to earn national recognition," says Dugan O'Neil, vice-president, research and innovation. "NSERC's support enables the pursuit of important discoveries, strengthens Canada's research capacity, and provides the sustained funding needed to advance knowledge in areas ranging from climate innovation to health and fundamental science."
A few examples of new research funding
Krzysztof Starosta, Chemistry, Faculty of Science
Chemistry professor Krzysztof Starosta receives $660,000 through the Subatomic Physics Discovery Grants Program, to study how protons and neutrons interact in different conditions. His work furthers the understanding of the building blocks of matter and can contribute to advances in nuclear energy, medical imaging and treatment technologies, as well as a broader understanding of the universe.
Wendy Palen, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, Faculty of Science
Professor Wendy Palen studies the ecology of aquatic communities across western North America, from alpine amphibians in the Pacific Northwest to the river and lake food webs that sustain salmon populations from California to Alaska. Her interdisciplinary research combines lab-based physiological assays, field experiments, landscape-scale surveys, paleoecological reconstructions, and quantitative methods that bring these approaches together. Her applied ecological problem-solving informs the conservation and management of aquatic systems.
Gordon McTaggert-Cowan, School of Sustainable Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences
Professor and associate director at the School of Sustainable Engineering (SEE) Gordon McTaggert-Cowan researches how to eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. His research group is pursuing the most promising approaches using existing vehicle technologies and fuel infrastructure. By exploring low-carbon fuels such as renewable natural gas and sustainably generated hydrogen, alongside optimized high-efficiency engines and advanced hybrid vehicles, McTaggart-Cowan and his team are engineering a zero-emissions future.
ROGER LININGTON, Chemistry, Faculty of Science
Chemistry professor and Canada Research Chair Roger Linington receives $575,000 over five years to support his ongoing research in natural product discovery. An award-winning chemist and biologist, Linington leads a research team focused on identifyingnovel classes of compounds for drug development. Their work aims to combat major global health challenges, including pathogenic bacteria, cancer, and parasitic diseases. In addition to discovering new bioactive compounds, the team is advancing innovative screening technologies and developing lead scaffolds for future therapeutics.
The Government of Canada also contributes to university research through the Research Support Fund (RSF). The RSF supports with funding for staff who help SFU researchers increase success, reduce administrative burden, and make it possible for the university and SFU faculty to successfully compete for the most significant and prestigious grants, prizes and awards available. This includes staff from the Institutional Strategic Awards (ISA) office and faculty-based grant facilitators.
