Seven Waterloo Science research projects received a financial boost thanks to provincial research funding announced on at the University of Waterloo on Thursday June 18.
Our capacity to compete globally depends on how well we can harness our research, innovation and entrepreneurial strengths. Through these investments, Ontario is mobilizing and preparing our researchers to succeed, compete and create the jobs of the future.
Daiene Vernile, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre, and Kathryn McGarry, Member of Provincial Parliament for Cambridge, announced awards for 26 University of Waterloo researchers receiving the Ontario government’s Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence, Ontario Research Fund - Small Infrastructure programs and the Early Researcher Award.
The Early Researcher Award, is a multidisciplinary program to attract and retain top talent in the province and help promising researchers build their teams.
Waterloo received more Early Research Awards (ERAs) than any other institution that applied – which recognize talented, recently appointed researchers. Five Science researchers received an ERA.
Ontario is home to 40 per cent of Canada’s elderly population and chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease are a major concern. Associate Professor Dr. Praveen Nekkar Rao from the School of Pharmacy, seeks to discover innovative therapies and diagnostic tools for treating Alzheimer’s disease using a multidisciplinary approach.
The ERA program is a launch pad for researchers to develop a dedicated team of highly qualified people including students, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and technicians to advance their research and secure further funding. It supports momentum in areas of research excellence across a variety of academic disciplines that eventually leads to commercialization, creates jobs and fosters Ontario’s competitive edge.