MP Jay Aspin Announces Research Investment to Improve the Quality of Life of Canadians

NORTH BAY, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 21, 2015) - Industry Canada

Three researchers at Nipissing University received a significant long-term investment from the federal government today. The announcement was made by Jay Aspin, Member of Parliament for Nipissing Timiskaming and the Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology) during a tour of university's laboratories.

Funding of $282,500 will go to researchers and students at Nipissing University, including Dr. April James. Dr. James is receiving $110,000 to support her project titled Stable Water Isotope Study of a Mesoscale Precambrian Shield Basin for Improved Model Predictions of Water Quantity and Quality. Studying the cycling of water through watersheds is critical to predicting the impact of human activity on freshwater resources as well as the future of freshwater resources on a broad scale.

This federal investment supports academic researchers, post-doctoral fellows and students at Nipissing University as they make new discoveries in science and engineering that push the boundaries of knowledge, create jobs and opportunities, and improve the quality of life of Canadians.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grants Program is a foundation of the Government's efforts to develop and support talented researchers at Canadian universities. The program funds discovery in chemistry, physics, life sciences, mathematics, computer science, geoscience and the many branches of engineering. The broad base of research capacity built by these awards has given this country a strong reputation for research excellence around the world.

Quick facts

- On June 22, 2015, Minister of State Holder announced a major federal investment of more than $440 million to support academic researchers, post-doctoral fellows and students across the country.

- The awards highlighted today at Nipissing University are part of the results of the 2015 competition for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's Discovery Grants, Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships, Postgraduate Scholarships, Postdoctoral Fellowships and Research Tools and Instruments Grants.

- Dr. April James is a Canada Research Chair in Watershed Analysis and Modeling and an associate professor of geography at Nipissing University. Dr. James is a hydrologist who researches how water moves through watersheds, from rainfall to the flow of streams, and recharges groundwater. Dr. James also looks at how all the decisions we make as individuals and as a society affect our water resources.

Quotes

"Our government has made record commitments to science, technology and innovation to the social and economic benefit of Canadians. This investment in researchers like Nipissing University's Dr. April James will ensure that research powers Canadian innovation and improves the quality of life of the people of North Bay and across Canada while creating jobs at home. Dr. James is one of the many talented women and men at Nipissing University whose research continues to create jobs and opportunities, and improve the quality of life of Canadians."

- Jay Aspin, Member of Parliament (Nipissing Timiskaming)

"A key pillar of our government's updated science, technology and innovation strategy is ensuring that Canada develops, attracts and retains the world's most talented researchers. Our investment in more than 3, 800 researchers at 70 universities across the country ensures Canada has a broad base of talented men and women whose research continues to push the boundaries of knowledge, creates jobs and opportunities while improving the quality of life of Canadians."

- The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

"NSERC's Discovery Grants program is our flagship. It invests in the full range of science and engineering disciplines and thus builds the strong foundation that is a necessary prerequisite for innovation. We're building on its success with our Discovery Development Grants because we want to take advantage of the full diversity of insights and ideas across Canada. Complementing our support for discovery research, NSERC's scholarships and fellowships invest in a new generation of talent and give some of Canada's most brilliant students and fellows the skills and experience to meet the challenges of the future."

- B. Mario Pinto, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

"Thank you to NSERC and the federal government for this investment in Nipissing University and our researchers. These are important grants that bolster the existing research culture at Nipissing while simultaneously benefiting all Canadians. The success of Nipissing's faculty members is a testament to the quality of their research and the potential impact it has to improve lives."

- Dr. Harley d'Entremont, Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research, Nipissing University

Associated links

Nipissing University

Dr. April James

Researchers at NU earn grants

Competition statistics:

Discovery Grants

Scholarships and Fellowships

Research Tools and Instruments Grants

List of recipients

A World of Discoveries - web page

A World of Discoveries - video

Follow us on Twitter: @industrycanada

About NSERC

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is the primary funding agency supporting Canada's science and engineering research community. The agency supports almost 30,000 postsecondary students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding approximately 12,000 professors every year and works with over 3,000 Canadian companies that are participating and investing in postsecondary research projects.