This release is available in French.
Montreal, October 12, 2011 — Seven Concordia University professors have received new funding to advance research in fields ranging from linguistics to cancer. Following the recommendation of a peer committee, Canada Research Chairs were awarded to the following professors who are considered leaders in their field.
The announcement was made at Concordia in the presence of Senator Larry Smith and Chad Gaffield, president of the the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and head of the Canada Research Chairs Program Steering Committee:
- Christopher L. Brett, a professor in the Concordia Department of Biology with expertise in neuroscience, biochemistry and genetics, was awarded the Canada Research Chair in Cellular Science and Human Health (Tier 2). He will study genetics and neural cell biology to better understand the cause of autism spectrum disorders.
- Mia Consalvo, a professor in the Concordia Department of Communication Studies, obtained the Canada Research Chair in Games Studies and Design (Tier 1). She will advance the understanding of digital games by investigating player responses and will investigate ways to enhance their experience.
- Ahmed Kishk, a professor in the Concordia Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, received a Canada Research Chair in Advanced Antenna Systems (Tier 1). His goal is to develop miniaturized antennas for smart phones that cover multiple frequency bands and can harvest solar energy to recharge batteries. He'll also investigate how to produce affordable, anti-collision radars for vehicles and microwave sensors for biomedical applications in cancer detection.
- Kim McDonough, a professor in the Concordia Department of Education, obtained the Canada Research Chair in Applied Linguistics (Tier 2). She will examine ways to maximize language acquisition and explore what interactions are most useful for learning a second language.
- Jung Kwon Oh, a professor in the Concordia Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, received the Canada Research Chair in Nanobioscience (Tier 2). He will investigate how to create a new generation of biomaterials for tumors-specific drugs in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
- Zachary Patterson, a professor in the Concordia Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, obtained the Canada Research Chair in Transportation Land-use Interactions and Regional Sustainability (Tier 2). He plans to employ computer models to better understand — and predict — the relationship between urban transportation and commercial and residential land-use.
- David Walsh, a professor from the Department of Biology, has received the Canada Research Chair in Microbial Ecology and Genomics (Tier 2). He will study the essential microbial interactions that sustain the health of Canada's oceans.
About research chairs:
Recipients of Canada Research Chairs are selected by committee of experts from around the world that assesses each nomination. There are two types of Canada Research Chairs: Tier 1 Chairs, tenable for seven years and renewable, are for outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields.
For each Tier 1 Chair, the university receives $200,000 annually for seven years. Tier 2 Chairs, tenable for five years and renewable once, are for exceptional emerging researchers who are acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field. For each Tier 2 Chair, the university receives $100,000 annually for five years.
Infrastructure support:
Professors granted a Canada Research Chair were also eligible for infrastructure support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
The CFI awarded a total of almost $2 million for the new chairs to acquire the latest equipment for their research — an amount matched by the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec. A further $500,000 was provided through in-kind support from equipment suppliers.
Related links:
Concordia University: www.concordia.ca
Canada Research Chairs: www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada: www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
Canada Foundation for Innovation: www.innovation.ca
Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec: www.mels.gouv.qc.ca
Canada Research Chairs at Concordia : http://vprgs.concordia.ca/whatwedo/research/researchchairs/facultyprofiles/index.php#sandeepbhagwati