Minister of State Holder Highlights Support for Six Science and Engineering Researchers and Students at the University of Winnipeg

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Aug. 28, 2014) - Industry Canada

The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today highlighted the funding that scientists, engineers and students at the University of Winnipeg received through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). More than $500,000 will benefit six researchers and trainees at the university.

Through the Discovery Grants Program, Dr. Christopher Bidinosti will receive $120,000 over five years to pursue research on new imaging technologies that show excellent promise for a wide variety of applications. Imaging techniques are indispensable in modern medicine as well as in every field of research and in industry. The funding will help Dr. Bidinosti to continue developing a new method of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that could result in lighter, simpler and cheaper MRI apparatus.

While at the university, Minister of State Holder and guests also visited the lab of Discovery Grant recipient Dr. Sara Good. She will receive $110,000 over five years to study the function and evolution of the insulin superfamily in teleosts-a large group of fish that includes zebrafish, three-spined stickleback and salmon. Her research will use both bioinformatics and molecular genetic approaches to study the role of the insulin superfamily genes in growth and reproduction during saltwater to freshwater adaptation. This project has significance for both basic and applied fisheries research since many important fisheries species, such as Arctic char and salmon, migrate between fresh water and salt water throughout their life cycle.

Quick facts

• On June 26, 2014, Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), announced a significant federal investment to support scientists, engineers, post-doctoral fellows and students at universities in Canada as they drive innovation, and ultimately economic prosperity, across the country. Of the total investment, $8.9 million will support researchers at universities in the province of Manitoba.

• The awards highlighted today at the University of Winnipeg are part of the 2014 competition results for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's Discovery Grants, Discovery Accelerator Supplements, Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships, Postgraduate Scholarships and Postdoctoral Fellowships.

• The NSERC Discovery Grants Program is an integral component of the government's efforts to develop, attract and retain the world's most talented researchers at Canadian universities. The program funds discovery research in a multitude of scientific and engineering disciplines, which builds a broad base of research capacity across the country.

• The Government of Canada, through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, contributed a historic $18-million infrastructure investment in May 2009 to support the construction of the Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex at the University of Winnipeg.

Quotes

"Our government has made record investments in science, technology, and innovation. The researchers and students at the University of Winnipeg are pushing the frontiers of knowledge in science and engineering, helping lead to the discoveries and innovations that create jobs and prosperity in Canada and that improve the quality of life of Canadians."

- The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

"The NSERC Discovery Grants Program is one of Canada's largest sources of funding for basic research. Our government's investment in the University of Winnipeg and in research like Dr. Bidinosti's development of new applications for magnetic resonance imaging will lead to new discoveries that improve the quality of life of Manitobans and all Canadians."

- Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood-Transcona

"Our support for researchers and students through Discovery Grants and scholarships is laying the foundation for Canada's future prosperity and continued quality of life. The highly competitive funding for discovery research raises the bar for science and engineering excellence in Canada and unleashes the creative potential of our researchers. Building on this dynamic research environment, NSERC's scholarships and fellowships are attracting and cultivating new talent with the skills necessary for the growth of our knowledge-based economy."

- Janet Walden, Chief Operating Officer, NSERC

"The ongoing federal commitment through the NSERC Discovery Grants Program supports our world-class researchers who are focusing on relevant issues ranging from medicinal plants to magnetic resonance imaging. Scientific inquiry is key to advancing our collective knowledge, and it adds critically important capacity to our community and the Canadian economy."

- Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Winnipeg

Associated links

- University of Winnipeg

- Discovery Grants

- Scholarships and fellowships

- List of recipients

- World of Discoveries page on NSERC site

- Discovery research video

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