Research Funding Announced for Saint Mary's University

Almost $270,000 from the Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust Fund is helping Saint Mary's University to buy new equipment for its researchers.

"Universities represent about 60 per cent of research activity in the Atlantic provinces," said Education Minister Jane Purves. "Nova Scotians benefit from the economic impact of this knowledge-driven industry and our students benefit from the equipment and high-quality researchers in our universities."

The $15-million trust fund was established in 2001 to help Nova Scotia's universities and colleges cover the costs of research infrastructure.

"This financial support from the government of Nova Scotia plays a tremendous role in the growth of science research at our institution, and will positively impact the future growth and development of our province," said Colin Dodds, president of Saint Mary's University.

The funding will support two main projects. A grant of $128,476 will help the university set up a computer-based research unit for spatial analysis. It will support research in numerous fields including coastal flooding, changing geography and human use of space.

Spatial analysis is the study of where and why objects or activities exist on or within Earth's surface and how they interact. Computer technology to conduct spacial analysis includes remote sensing, global positioning, geographic information and seismic subsurface interpretation systems.

"Our faculties of geography, geology, anthropology, biology and economics will all have access to this technology," said Danika van Proodij, an assistant geography professor and researcher at Saint Mary's. "None of us could afford to set it up alone, but together, we're creating kind of a co-op of machines and data that we can all share within the university, but more importantly with the outside community."

Biologist Genlou Sun is using $138,992 from the fund to set up a molecular genetics lab at the university. His studies focus on identifying the genes controlling less desirable traits in crops so that breeders can improve the species. His work includes studying how spruce can be improved to survive better in drought conditions.

Projects that receive grants from the trust fund also receive about the same amount in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The foundation previously announced more than $320,000 for these projects at Saint Mary's.

"Providing our research institutions with cutting-edge infrastructure will help improve Canada's research performance," said David Strangway, foundation president. "These are the kind of strategic investments Canada must continue to make in order to rank among the most innovative countries in the world."

The Canada Foundation for Innovation is an independent, not-for- profit corporation established by the government of Canada in 1997 to strengthen the capacity for innovation in Canadian universities and research institutions.

With a science faculty widely known for high-calibre research, Saint Mary's University is also home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a comprehensive and innovative arts faculty, and a new faculty of graduate studies and research.