Research Funding for UCCB Faculty and Students

Nearly $400,000 in provincial grants is helping the University College of Cape Breton purchase new equipment for its students and researchers.

The investment is being made through the Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust Fund.

"A strong research focus helps our universities to attract high- quality faculty and develop partnerships with the private sector," said Economic Development Minister Cecil Clarke, who made the announcement today, Nov. 25, on behalf of Education Minister Jane Purves. "This investment is helping UCCB leverage more money for exciting research in life sciences, which is one of the growth sectors identified in our economic strategy, Opportunities for Prosperity."

The $15-million fund was established in the spring of 2001 to support research projects at Nova Scotia colleges and universities. UCCB is receiving three grants from the fund.

"Growing our research infrastructure here at UCCB allows our faculty to conduct world-class research in the areas of nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical analysis and mathematical computations," said Gordon MacInnis, UCCB's interim president. "Our researchers continue to be leaders in their fields and this type of funding support is testament to their continued success."

Nutraceuticals are supplements made of natural products, such as cod liver oil. They are the basis of research being conducted by Ed Barre, an assistant professor of nutrition at the institution.

"This is certainly a valuable recognition for my colleagues and me here at UCCB," said Mr. Barre. "The Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust Fund grant allows me to focus on my research directed at determining the success of various nutraceuticals in treating Type II diabetes."

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 nearly $400,000 for these projects at UCCB.

"Investing in state-of-the-art research infrastructure is the key to advancing Canada's position among the most innovative countries in the world," said foundation president and CEO David Strangway. "These investments in cutting-edge equipment enable our researchers to compete with the best."

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.

An Atlantic Canadian leader, the University College of Cape Breton provides opportunities and partnerships to help learners and communities meet educational, cultural and economic goals. More information is available on the university college's Web site, at uccb.ns.ca .