Funding for Dal, IWK Grace Research

Research teams at Dalhousie University are receiving almost $1 million to support work in three areas: pediatric pain, infectious diseases that afflict children, and petroleum compounds analysis.

"This funding is a testament to the calibre of our researchers and speaks to the quality of our research capabilities," said Tom Traves, president of Dalhousie University. "Knowledge gained from these projects furthers our goals as a teaching and research institution and will ultimately enhance the quality of life for all Nova Scotians."

The Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification, the IWK Grace Health Centre, and a host of other partners are contributing $995,729 to support the three research teams. The economic diversification agreement is managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism.

"Information is the driving force of our new economy, and consequently, our education and research facilities are becoming critical to our economic growth," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "This project will help make Nova Scotia an international centre for education and research capable of attracting new business, diversifying our economy, and developing new products and services for export."

Said Senator Wilfred Moore: "The government of Canada is pleased that its goal of improving Nova Scotia's economic climate is being met through this development of world-class research facilities. By building on the high quality of research at our teaching institutions, we'll be building Nova Scotia's economy."

"By investing in these research infrastructure projects, we are supporting the development of world-class research expertise at Dalhousie University," said David Strangway, president of the Canada Foundation for Innovation. "These exciting projects will help preserve our intellectual capital in the knowledge-based economy and lead to a better quality of life, especially for young Canadians."

Drs. Patrick McGrath, Allen Finley and their team of researchers will develop new techniques to map pain-related activity in the brain and to gain access to consciousness and memory in patients under anesthesia. They will use the funding to buy sophisticated equipment and to renovate much-needed space in the pediatric pain lab.

Dr. Robert Bortolussi and his team will use some of the funding to continue their research in infectious diseases that can be fatal to newborns and children.

"The IWK Grace has a responsibility to research new ways of diagnosing, managing and preventing disease. The funding we're talking about today is a sound investment in this responsibility," said Dr. Bortolussi, chief of research at the IWK Grace Health Centre and researcher in the departments of pediatrics and of microbiology and immunology at Dalhousie University.

Drs. Robert Guy, Stuart Grossert and Louis Ramaley will study polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in mothballs and compounds in cigarette smoke. Dr. Philip Pacey will study the formation of carbon from hydrocarbon at high temperatures. Their research will benefit both the offshore oil and gas industry and oil sands refiners in Canada as more cost-effective, higher quality and cleaner products, such as cleaner burning gasoline, are developed. The funding announced today will buy high-tech equipment for their study of chemical reactions.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation is an independent, not-for-profit organization established by the federal government in 1997 to strengthen the capacity for innovation in Canadian universities and research institutions. The foundation contributes 40 per cent toward eligible project costs, with universities identifying the remaining 60 per cent matching funds.

Dalhousie University is committed to conducting quality research activities. By providing crucial information to enhance our understanding of health, the environment and other issues, these activities benefit communities at all levels.

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