Major awards help fund transformative research

A new study investigating how the immune systems of two freshwater sports fish respond to different water temperatures and that could have applications for human health is one of 10 new projects at the University of Waterloo to receive major federal funding with the announcement of the prestigious Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships and Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) awarded Barbara Katzenback of the Faculty of Science a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship to study changes in the immune system and health of fish under pressure from climate change. Results are expected to help ecologists in the aquaculture industry raise healthier stock and may also assist health professionals in understanding how people deal with thermal extremes. Other applications include understanding the effects of medically induced hypothermia used to limit tissue damage during a stroke as well as the role of the immune system and its ability to fend against disease.

Banting fellows receive up $70,000 a year for up to two years of research.

"I am pleased that this high-quality work from these talented researchers in a diverse range of disciplines is receiving this deserved recognition," said James Frank, associate provost, graduate studies at Waterloo.

The Government of Canada also awarded nine doctoral students at Waterloo with the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, worth up to $150,000 over three years. The Vanier program supports transformational research and attracts world-class students working on a PhD. Each award is granted through one of three funding agencies: NSERC, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), or the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

The Waterloo recipients of Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are:

• Marisa Beck (SSHRC), Faculty of Environment, is assessing the usefulness of formal models in climate change policy making.

• Christine Czoli (CIHR), Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, is investigating electronic cigarettes to inform policy.

• Martin Derka (NSERC), Faculty of Mathematics, is searching for error-correcting codes that improve the reliability of digital communication.

• Yk Hei Franki Kung (SSHRC), Faculty of Arts, is researching how culture and lay beliefs influence people's motivational processes at work.

• Tomas Jochym-O’Connor (NSERC), Faculty of Science, is developing a set of tools for the physical implementation of fault-tolerant quantum error correction.

• Stuart Linley (NSERC), Faculty of Engineering, is studying recyclable nanocomposites for industrial wastewater treatment with a focus on oil sands wastewaters and emerging contaminants.

• Michael McTavish (NSERC), Faculty of Environment, is exploring how exotic earthworms are influencing native and invasive plant growth.

• Matthew Schmidt (NSERC), Faculty of Science, is studying quantum molecular dynamics of confined molecules.

• Heather Cray (NSERC), Faculty of Environment, is looking at restoring Ontario’s tallgrass prairie using ecosystem fragments.

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships aim to attract and retain top talent, and prepare recipients as leading researchers to solve the challenges of the future.  The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships recognize top academic achievement and leadership skills. They support recipients as they complete doctoral degrees while conducting significant research.

Back to top

Four Waterloo projects receive SSHRC funding

Vital information on how civilizations cope with climate change could be hiding under a medieval castle in England, and the professor leading the project to uncover it is among the Waterloo researchers to receive government funding announced yesterday.

Professor Steven Bednarski of St. Jerome's University and the Faculty of Arts leads one of four UWaterloo projects receiving Partnership Development grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) worth approximately $200,000 each over three years.

Professor Bednarski, his collaborator Professor Scott McLean from Queen's University, and a team of interdisciplinary experts aim to discover the lost medieval village of Herstmonceux in East Sussex, abandoned during a time of intense climate change. Their archival research and archaeological excavations will reveal how premodern Europeans adapted settlement patterns and land use in response to melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and repeated coastal inundation.

"The projects that received this government support announced today are fine examples of the kind of collaborative work at Waterloo that brings together researchers, students and community members with a goal of addressing some real issues that we face or consider every day," said Ian Orchard, vice-president academic and provost at Waterloo. "I congratulate all of the research teams on this deserved recognition."

Professor Robert Kerton, from the Faculty of Arts, is principal investigator on a project that creates a network of six universities–including Waterloo, Ryerson University, Laval University, McGill University, the University of Alberta and the University of Guelph–plus government organizations with responsibilities for consumer policy. Also participating are Canada's main consumer groups and private sector representatives in an initiative to train graduate students and to bring research-based benefits to Canada and its consumers.

Professors Dawn Parker, Jeff Casello and Markus Moos, all from the Faculty of Environment, are looking at the pending development of light rail transit, core-area intensification and socio-economic change in Kitchener-Waterloo. The project may one day assist municipalities in their decision-making and policy development, while also enhancing public dialogue and citizen engagement and training the next generation of planning professionals.

Professor Stephen Quilley from the Faculty of Environment, will bring together a variety of stakeholders, such as farmers, local authorities, wildlife groups and hunting associations, to explore the possible benefits of using traditional British and European hedge-laying techniques in the Ontario countryside. The goal is to promote biodiversity, water retention and run off control, reduced soil erosion, snow drifting control, wild life corridors and migration routes, local economic development and place making, job creation and the creation of footpaths increasing public access to countryside.

The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), announced the awards at an event in Brandon, Manitoba.

Back to top

Today's notes: single, sexy, and soaking wet

Orientation Week mainstay Single & Sexy, the provocative play, penned and performed by students (with some co-ordination by Health Services), is now in its 26th year, and its premiere performance will take place on Friday, August 29 at 10:00 a.m. in the Humanities Theatre.

Edgy, entertaining and educational, the play covers challenging topics that students are likely to face during their university career: sex, drug use, racism, homophobia, date rape and gender identity, among many others that are updated on a regular basis to reflect current issues. The play takes the place of a more traditional health and safety lecture.

The cast presents these topics in a non-judgmental way, using language students will understand and mashing them into catchy musical numbers. Throughout the play, on-campus resources are referenced to ensure students know where to turn if they face challenging situations.

The 2014 production team includes producer Sandra Gibson, director Robert Motum, assistant director James Miniou and stage manager Kelly Conlan, and its cast includes Laura Janzen, James Lintag, Adam Lemieux, Carla Rodrigo, Melanie Williamson, Brendan Stehouwer, William Innes, and Jill Prince.

Staff and faculty are welcome to attend Friday's performance. Register online for the free tickets.

The latest campus ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was undertaken by none other than King Warrior, who was challenged by none other than Onkel Hans. King Warrior called out Brock University's Boomer the Badger, Carleton University's Rodney the Raven, and Boomer, the Bombshelter Pub's mascot.

The stretch of Phillip Street between University Avenue and Columbia Street will have a second lift of asphalt installed today, which will result in some delays for pedestrians and motorists. That's just the tip of the iceberg as far as traffic woes as we roll towards the long weekend, but that's a story for another day. Tomorrow, in fact.

On campus, masons continue to play Minecraft—but with real bricks—as the Needles Hall expansion takes shape. This is a reminder that the entrance roadway at the Needles Hall kiosk will be closed for 3 to 4 weeks as work continues on the northwest corner of the building addition. Access, both entry and exit, will be from the northern lane (or exit side) of the kiosk.

Back to top