Laurentian University researchers have been awarded a total of $1.79 million from Canada's federal research funding agencies for projects over the next five years. This significant funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), as well as significant contributions from Vale and Glencore, will enable in-depth exploration in reptile conservation, aquaculture, genetics, social work standards of practice, and marketing, further solidifying Laurentian's commitment to innovative research that addresses pressing societal issues.
From left to right: Dr. Tammy Eger, Marc Serré, Viviane Lapointe, Dr. Isabelle Côté, Dr. Jackie Litzgus, Dr. Kamran Eshghi, Dr. Lynn Wells, Paul Lefebvre
"These awards are a testament to the ingenuity and innovation of Laurentian researchers," said Dr. Tammy Eger, Vice President, Research. "We are thankful for the investment from these funding agencies, they play a key role in advancing research in Canada. These projects will have a significant impact on our understanding of societal challenges and are vital to our future. Congratulations to all our award recipients."
"We are excited by this collaborative opportunity, with support from our industry partners and NSERC, to take the Sudbury story of restoration to the next level - one that considers new stressors and uses new approaches - and to train students to keep this good work moving into the future," said Dr. Jacqueline "Jackie" Litzgus, Director of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre and Jane Goodall Research Fellow in Conservation Biology, who is one of the researchers who has been awarded funding for her project.
The funding supports the following research projects:
- Jackie Litzgus, School of Natural Sciences: is the lead researcher on a $1.35M NSERC Alliance Grant entitled, Conservation and Restoration of Aquatic Diversity in the face of Legacy and Emerging Stressors (CRADLES). The CRADLES project, based out of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre, includes partners from several universities and $450,000 in funding support from industrial partners Vale and Glencore as well as in-kind support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Dr. Litzgus is also the recipient of an NSERC Discovery Grant of $65,000 per year for five years to support her research program entitled, Population ecology and behaviour inform the conservation of reptiles.
- Thomas Johnston, School of Natural Sciences: Awarded an NSERC Discovery Development Grant of $20,000 per year for two years to investigate the trophic niche in aquatic food webs.
- Thomas Merritt, School of Natural Sciences: Secured an NSERC Discovery Grant of $67,000 per year for five years to conduct genetic and experimental studies on stress pathways using the Drosophila melanogaster model system.
- Isabelle Côté, School of Social Work: Awarded an SSHRC Insight Grant of $105,080 for her work on integrating the concept of coercive control into professional practices addressing domestic violence.
- Kamran Eshghi, School of Sports Administration: Received an SSHRC Insight Grant of $81,715 for his project analyzing the drivers and performance of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) adoption in the retail industry.
Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury and Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and to the Minister of Official Languages announced this funding on October 17th, 2024, at Laurentian University. The event highlighted the importance of these research initiatives and their anticipated contributions to both academic knowledge and societal advancement.
