Two Water Institute researchers named Canada Research Chairs

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Two Water Institute researchers have been named new Canada Research Chairs.

On November 16, 2022, the Honorable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced an investment of more than $139 million to support 176 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs across 46 institutions in Canada. The announcement was made during his remarks at the Canadian Science Policy Conference in Ottawa, ON.

This latest cycle of Canada Research Chairs includes Water Institute members:

Nandita

Nandita Basu

Canada Research Chair in Global Water Sustainability and Ecohydrology

Dr. Nandita Basu is a Professor of Global Water Sustainability and Ecohydrology, jointly appointed between the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Waterloo. She is an Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Hydrology, Director of the Water Institute’s Collaborative Water Program at the University of Waterloo, elected Member of the Royal Society College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists, and an Earth Leadership Fellow.


Carolyn

Carolyn Ren

Canada Research Chair in Microfluidic Technologies

Dr. Carolyn Ren is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering and director of Waterloo Microfluidics Laboratory. She was recently named one of WXN Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women (2021). She is also a Member of the Royal Society of Canada College (2018) and a Fellow of the Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineering (2012). She was recognized as one of 20 leading innovators in Women of Innovation: The Impact of Leading Engineers in Canada. Dr. Ren is also an entrepreneur and her microfluidic innovations have spurred the launch of four start-up companies with her students (Advanced Electrophoresis Solutions, Alphaxon, QuantWave Technologies, and Air Mircrofluidics Systems.

“The Canada Research Chairs Program remains at the centre of a national strategy to ensure Canada's role as a global leader in research and innovation. This latest investment ensures we are continuing to attract and retain a diverse cadre of world-class academics who consistently demonstrate their commitment to excellence in research and training at postsecondary institutions right across this country.”

—Ted Hewitt, Chair, Canada Research Chairs Steering Committee, and President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Congratulations from the Water Institute on your achievements!

See the full list of Canada Research Chairs here.