Province gives $3.6M to Waterloo region researchers

Researchers in Waterloo region got a $3.6 million cash infusion from the province Wednesday.

The province said the money will be used to attract and retain highly skilled researchers and innovators.

"We are proud to support the work of people in Waterloo region who are at the forefront of scientific discovery. Their research will pave the way for future advancements that will help Ontario compete and win in the global economy," Ontario's Minister of Research, Innovation and Science Reza Moridi said in a release following the announcement at Conestoga College.

29 local projects

The province is supporting 29 projects in the region with funding of $3,614,272. Those include:

• $2,358,825 to the University of Waterloo for 21 projects.
• $575,447 to Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU)for six projects.
• $540,000 to Conestoga College for one project.
• $140,000 to Perimeter Institute for one project.

The projects fell into one of two categories: early researcher awards, which helps promising and recently appointed researchers make discoveries, and the Ontario Research Fund research infrastructure program, which supports state-of-the-art and industry-relevant infrastructure initiatives.

'Outstanding young scientist' among recipients

The money at the Perimeter Institute will help fund the work of Asimina Arvanitaki, who the institute's faculty chair, Rob Myers, describes as "an outstanding young scientist whose ambitious research aims to push particle physics in fruitful new directions."

• Perimeter Institute creates new $8M theoretical physics chair

Conestoga College said the funding is an investment in applied research for Ontario's food and beverage processing sector.

The funding "will provide substantial benefits to our region's largest manufacturing sector, supporting the development of new solutions that will lead to industry advancement," Conestoga's president John Tibbits said.

Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice chancellor atthe University of Waterloo, said the money "contributes to new knowledge and opportunities, and supports a competitive economy for Ontario."

WLU's vice president of research, Robert Gordon, said they were grateful the province supports their "outstanding researchers, who who are addressing essential and innovative research issues and provide exceptional training opportunities for Laurier students."