Waterloo Engineering research received a boost with the awarding of two Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) included in a national announcement to help “keep Canadian research at the forefront of discovery today and in the future.”
Duane Cronin, a mechanical and mechatronics engineering professor, and Alexander Wong, a systems design engineering professor, were two of four University of Waterloo researchers named CRCs in a commitment of
Cronin, pictured on the right, was named the new NSERC Tier 1 CRC in Trauma Biomechanics and Injury Prevention. His chair comes with $1.4 million in funding over seven years.
Cronin, who also holds the University Research Chair in Impact Mechanics and Material Characterization at Waterloo, focuses his research in the areas of impact mechanics, and material characterization applied to trauma biomechanics, auto crash and occupant simulation, pipeline integrity, and multi-material lightweight vehicles.
He currently leads the Neck Model Centre of Expertise for the Global Human Body Models Consortium and is a council member and board member on the International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury.
Wong, pictured below, received a renewal of his NSERC Tier 2 CRC in Artificial Intelligence and Medical Imaging and funding of $500,000 over five years.
Also part of the national announcement was a new investment of $210 million over the next five years to add 285 new CRCs. Early career stage researchers will receive additional funding and new and currently active Tier 2 chairs will receive a supplement of up to $20,000 to help them establish their research projects.
“Our government is committed to promoting equity and diversity within research and to supporting the next generation of research leaders,” said Kirsty Duncan, minister of science and sport, at the announcement made in Toronto on November 13.
“These prestigious Canada Research Chairs are improving the lives of Canadians and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, helping ensure a bright future for Canada.”