From using microbes to breakdown contaminates in landfills to learning how to conserve our amphibian populations in the face of climate change, the Government of Ontario has awarded three Waterloo Science researchers $140,000 each to advance ‘Ontario made’ research and innovation as part of Ontario's Early Researcher Awards.
Professor Rodney Smith from the Department of Chemistry is leading the project “Learning to control the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into useful chemicals.” This will enable the development of rational strategies to resolve efficiency and selectivity issues by developing leading-edge experimental techniques to examine reaction systems during operation. The improved economic feasibility of electrochemical CO2 reduction will facilitate translation of the technology to Ontario’s chemical manufacturing sector and improve Ontario’s ability to compete in emerging clean-technology markets.
“Ensuring Ontario’s researchers have access to state-of-the-art technology, talent and equipment has never been more important than it is now as we support our world class research institutes, research hospitals and postsecondary institutions across the province,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “This funding helps to ensure researchers have the necessary supports in place to make discoveries that advance knowledge, inspire advances in technology, drive our economic competitiveness, and create a better future for the people of Ontario.”
Professors Barbara Katzenback and Laura Hug, both from the Department of Biology, were also awarded funding.
These projects are three of the nine projects selected at the University of Waterloo for early researcher awards by the Government of Ontario. A total of 176 projects are funded though this province wide initiative, totaling $70.4 million awarded to researchers. The funding being delivered through the Ontario Research Fund and Early Researcher Awards programs will support the development of homegrown ideas, products and technologies.
Congratulations, Professor Smith!