March 28, 2014 – Edmonton, Alberta – Canada Research Chairs Secretariat
Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today announced support for 102 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs at 33 post-secondary institutions across the country, including 15 Chairs in Alberta. This $88,800,000 investment in one of Canada’s most prestigious research programs is attracting innovative and talented minds to Canada.
Carlo Montemagno, Canada Research Chair in Intelligent Nanosystems at the University of Alberta, joined Minister Holder for today’s announcement. Montemagno’s world-leading research program explores the engineering of materials that combine living and non-living elements into new artificial materials and structures that perform lifelike functions. Whether used to clean contaminated water, develop new vaccine systems or create high-value products from industrial waste streams, Montemagno’s research will have an impact in the informatics, chemical refining, transportation, energy and health care sectors.
As a new chairholder, he will advance collaborations between researchers across several disciplines, including biochemistry, computer science and mechanical engineering, while training the next generation of researchers.
Quick facts
- Since 2006, the Government of Canada has provided more than $11 billion in new resources to support basic and applied research, talent development, research infrastructure and innovation in the private sector.
- There are more than 1,700 chairholders working in the fields of natural sciences and engineering, health, and social sciences and humanities at more than 70 post-secondary institutions across the country.
- The University of Alberta, a centre of research excellence in Canada, is home to nearly 100 Canada Research Chairs and three Canada Excellence Research Chairs.
- The Canada Research Chairs Program was created in 2000. Ongoing annual program expenditures of $265 million have helped attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds.
Quotes
“Our government is committed to supporting top researchers across all disciplines through programs such as the Canada Research Chairs Program. More than 1,700 chairholders are pushing the frontiers of knowledge in universities and colleges throughout Canada, driving jobs, growth and economic prosperity for Canadians.”
- Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)
“Through the Canada Research Chairs Program, our government is supporting innovation in many fields that are important to the social and economic future of Canada. In the health field, these world-class researchers will be working to produce innovations in patient care and health service delivery that will improve the health of Canadians and support the future sustainability of Canada’s health care system. I offer my congratulations to all the researchers across the country.”
- Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, Regional Minister for Northern Alberta and Member of Parliament for Edmonton–Spruce Grove
“The Canada Research Chairs Program is successfully attracting and retaining many of the world’s best researchers across all disciplines. With sustained support from federal investments in research, such as those made through the Canada Research Chairs Program, Canadian post-secondary institutions are able to compete for these renowned experts, who are then able to train the next generation of talented researchers.”
- Ted Hewitt, Executive Vice-President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
“Investing in cutting-edge research infrastructure continues to have a transformative impact on Canadian research. With the right tools, Canada Research Chairs can make the kinds of advancements in their field that will provide solutions to tomorrow’s challenges.”
- Dr. Gilles Patry, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation
“As Canada Research Chair in Intelligent Nanosystems, I have been given the opportunity to leverage synergistic developments across the scientific disciplines of engineering, biology, chemistry and physics to craft a new technological field that will enable new globally competitive, value-added industries and positively impact the future. And in training the next generation of researchers and innovators here, we are collectively working to build the tools to define a prosperous future.”
- Dr. Carlo Montemagno, Canada Research Chair in Intelligent Nanosystems, University of Alberta
Related products
- A full list of the chairholders is available here.
Additional links
Contacts
Scott French
Director of Communications and Parliamentary Affairs
Office of the Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613-943-6177
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
media-relations@ic.gc.ca
Stephanie Kale
Media Relations Advisor
Canada Research Chairs Program
613-996-8373
stephanie.kale@chairs-chaires.gc.ca