[img_inline align=”” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/CFI_logo2_colRGB.jpg”]

A new biological systems institute, a laboratory studying ways to develop clean, sustainable energy and a new centre for advanced nuclear systems are among the six McMaster initiatives receiving $36.4 million in funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

“I am delighted that McMaster was so successful in attracting significant funding from the CFI. This is indeed recognition of the research excellence that is a hallmark of our University and will strengthen McMaster's role as one of Canada's leading research universities,” says Mo Elbestawi, McMaster's vice-president research and international affairs.

“These initiatives – representing more than $93 million in total project costs – reflect a broad cross-section of innovation that will benefit our students, society, and our country's economy.”

The six projects receiving funding are led by researchers John Brennan, Rafael Kleiman, John Luxat, Peter Mascher, Parminder Raina and Laurel Trainor.

Highlights of the funded projects include:

– The Biointerfaces Institute, which will be established to understand the nature of the biological/material interface -biointerface – and study how biological systems respond to the introduction of material, and conversely, how an engineered interface responds to, or is compatible with, a biological system. Led by John Brennan, a professor in the department of chemistry and a Canada Research Chair in Bioanalytical Chemistry, this project was awarded $7.2-million from the New Initiatives Fund.

– Developing a clean, sustainable energy supply for Canada will be furthered by the work of the Laboratory for Advanced Photovoltaic Research, which will provide a solution through research that will explore the conversion of solar energy directly to electricity. Rafael Kleiman, professor in the department of engineering physics and Canada Research Chair in MicroElectroMechanical Systems will lead the lab, which received $5.1 million through the Leading Edge Fund.

– John Luxat, professor, engineering physics, and NSERC/UNENE Industrial Research Chair in Nuclear Safety Analysis, has garnered a $9.1 million New Initiatives Fund award to establish a Centre for Advanced Nuclear Systems to focus on materials, safety and medical applications of nuclear technology. This regional centre for advanced reactor systems will lead the global nuclear renaissance.

– The McMaster Intense Positron Beam Facility will be unique in Canada and one of only a few facilities operating worldwide to combine extensive materials research capabilities with fundamental studies of antimatter atoms and molecules. Peter Mascher, professor, engineering physics, and the William Sinclair Chair in Optoelectronics, leads this project, awarded $2.3 million under the New Initiatives Fund.

– The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging will understand the complexity of aging health through interdisciplinary research. Led by Parminder Raina, professor, department of clinical epidemiology & biostatistics and the Raymond and Margaret Labarge Chair in Research and Knowledge Application for Optimal Aging, this study will conduct high-impact population health research to investigate the complexities of the aging process and improve our understanding of the transitions and trajectories of healthy aging. The project was awarded $10.2 million under the New Initiatives Fund.

– Laurel Trainor, professor, psychology, neuroscience and behaviour, and the Director of the McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind, will establish a unique Neuroscience of Auditory Interaction Lab where hearing and communication can be studied scientifically in various environments that mimic the complexities of the real world. This lab was awarded $2.3 million under the Leading Edge Fund.

“The CFI's support of cutting-edge research infrastructure has transformed Canada's research landscape and increased the country's international competitiveness,” said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the CFI. “Investments like these have allowed McMaster University to become a destination of choice for some of the worlds top research talent.”

Funding for these projects is part of a major $666.1 million investment announced today by the CFI to support 133 projects at 41 institutions across the country. $247.6 million was awarded under the Leading Edge Fund (LEF), designed to enable institutions to build on and enhance already successful and productive initiatives supported by past CFI investment. Another $264.7 million was awarded under the New Initiatives Fund (NIF), designed to enhance Canada's capacity in promising new areas of research and technology development. Finally, $153.7 million was awarded under the Infrastructure Operating Fund, which assists institutions with the incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with the new infrastructure.

“It's another example of the Federal government's investment in the world-class research happening at McMaster and its importance to our competitiveness and innovation,” said David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale.

A complete list of projects funded today by the CFI can be found at: www.innovation.ca

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. The CFI's mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians.