Professor Anita Layton has been named a Canada 150 Research Chair as part of the Government of Canada’s Canada 150 Research Chairs Program. She is the chairholder for her work in Mathematical Biology and Medicine.
A $350,000 investment per year for seven years will support Professor Layton’s research on the mathematical and computational modelling of blood flow dynamics and kidney function. Her computational methods have been adopted by others to solve mathematical equations arising in combustion, blood flow and other problems.
“We thank the Government of Canada for this opportunity to attract talented researchers like Anita and applaud her for securing Canada 150 Research Chair status,” said Stephen M. Watt, Dean, Faculty of Mathematics. “Anita will enable Waterloo to assume a leadership role in forming and implementing computational solutions to physiological challenges.”
Professor Layton has published almost 200 research papers in top journals in applied mathematics and physiology. Her work at the interface of applied mathematics, computation and biomedical science has directly affected clinical health care. Focusing on her favourite organ that is the kidney, she collaborates with renal physiologists to investigate clinically relevant questions, such as why men and women respond differently to different types of blood pressure medications. She is also passionate in promoting women and other underrepresented groups in science.
“I have long admired the University of Waterloo for its spirit of curiosity and passion for innovation,” said Professor Layton. “I look forward to working within the Faculty of Mathematics to facilitate connections between math and other disciplines, and to promote excellence throughout the University.”
The Canada 150 Research Chairs Program is a one-time funding program of $117.6 million per year to help postsecondary institutions attract and retain the world’s most accomplished and promising minds. Professor Layton is one of the researchers announced in the second wave of this program.
