More Research Funding for Saint Mary's

Astronomy researchers at Saint Mary's University are doing more than gazing at the stars. They're solving complex mathematical problems to map the evolution of celestial bodies.

Robert Deupree and Joseph Hahn conduct their research at the university's Institute of Computational Astrophysics. The institute is getting $150,000 in provincial funding to buy and house more sophisticated computers.

"This kind of state-of-the-art equipment is helping the university attract more faculty and graduate and post-doctoral students," said Mr. Deupree. "I decided to leave the United States and come to Saint Mary's because of its dedication to research in this field."

The money for the computers is from the $15-million Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust Fund. It was established in the spring of 2001 to support research projects at Nova Scotia colleges and universities.

"We invest in research because it's an economic driver and it's the basis of so many advances and benefits in our society," said Health Minister Jane Purves, on behalf of Education Minister Angus MacIsaac. "When we invest in university research, we also invest in our students who can learn with the newest equipment and talented researchers."

The trust fund is managed by the province's university and community college presidents. They review applications and approve grants for research projects. Saint Mary's received more than $200,000 from the trust fund for two projects in October 2002.

"Saint Mary's welcomes the news of more grants provided by this trust fund," said university president Colin Dodds. "This investment from the government of Nova Scotia will keep Saint Mary's at the forefront of cutting-edge research in the region and in Canada."

The university is also getting nearly $74,000 for research equipment, which will be housed in the Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada. The equipment can be used for research in many disciplines.

Peter Twohig is a Canada Research chair in Atlantic Canada studies and member of the institute. He will use the new digital imaging and recording equipment to tape one-on-one interviews and focus groups with health-care workers and consumers about various aspects of the health-care system. These interviews will gather important perspectives on the rapidly changing system. New computers and specialized software will help with the analysis.

Most projects that receive grants from the trust fund also receive about the same amount in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. These Saint Mary's University research projects are receiving nearly $224,000 from the foundation.