Three Water Institute researchers named Canada Research Chairs
In a significant investment for Canadian research, the Government of Canada has announced over $182 million to support 224 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs (CRC) at postsecondary institutions across the country.
This new round of CRC appointments includes three Water Institute faculty members, who bring critical expertise in global environmental challenges and human health.
“Canada’s researchers continue to pave the way and lead on solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems. Today’s investment in our researchers and the postsecondary institutions that host them will foster groundbreaking discoveries, address systemic barriers, and lead to social and economic benefits that impact Canadians today, as well as future generations.”
—Ted Hewitt, Chair, Tri-agency Institutional Programs Steering Committee; and President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
The Water Institute’s latest CRC appointments include:
Dr. Juewen Liu
Canada Research Chair in Biosensors and Bionanotechnology
NSERC Tier 1 (New)
DNA has excellent stability and is relatively easy to modify via chemical synthesis, which can overcome the inadequacies of proteins. Dr. Juewen Liu’s research on aptamer-based biosensors and drug delivery will provide a solid understanding of aptamers and innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions for critical healthcare and environmental problems. Further, Lui’s research in biosensors and bionanotechnology will allow him to strategically expand his team to recruit needed expertise and establish new collaborations to enable a high-impact research trajectory towards wearable biosensors, ocular drug delivery systems, and diagnostic tools for diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Rebecca Saari
Canada Research Chair in Global Change, Atmosphere, and Health
NSERC Tier 2 (New)
Dr. Rebecca Saari’s research will develop tools to evaluate climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies’ impacts on health while addressing gaps identified by Health Canada. Additionally, this research focuses on the health implications of air pollution and climate variability, evaluating the costs and benefits of solutions like carbon pricing, alerts, and improved building codes to reduce health risks, including from heat and wildfires. The insights will help policymakers equitably protect Canadians from air pollution, supporting sustainable policy solutions amid climate change.
Dr. Christine Dow
Canada Research Chair in Glacier Hydrology and Ice Dynamics
NSERC Tier 2 (Renewal)
Ice sheets and glaciers are poised to contribute significant volumes of water to the ocean, causing global sea level rise, Dr. Christine Dow’s research will improve our understanding of the interactions between ice dynamics and hydrology by using coupled models of subglacial hydrology and ice dynamics to examine Antarctic ice flow drivers, determining the role of hydrology in past and future Antarctic ice dynamics to improve sea level rise estimates, evaluating the impact of surface water input on basal systems for both the Greenland Ice Sheet and for Antarctica as air temperatures warm and surface water becomes more prolific, and developing improved mass estimates of Canadian glaciers for sea level rise projections and water resource evaluation using geophysical techniques.