MONTREAL/November 12, 2004—
15 Canada Research Chairs now at Concordia
Concordia University was today awarded 5 new Canada Research Chairs (CRC) - two Tier-1 level chairs and three Tier-2 level chairs. Tier-1 chairs are awarded to well-established researchers and provide them with $200,000 per year over a 7-year period. Tier-2 Chairs are awarded to emerging researchers, and provide $100,000 per year over a 5-year period.
"We're proud that the funding announced today will support research by Canada's leading scholarly and scientific minds," said Prime Minister Paul Martin. "From health care, to the environment, to building stronger communities, the work of these Canada Research Chairs will have a direct impact on the lives of Canadians and help position Canada as a world leader in the 21st century economy."
Concordia's President and Vice-Chancellor Frederick Lowy welcomed the announcement saying, ìThe number and scope of the chairs is truly impressive. All are on the cutting edge of their fields of study, and will greatly enhance the university's research profile.î
Jerzy Floryan, CRC in Fluid Mechanics/ Computational Engineering (Tier 1), is presently with the University of Western Ontario. The research is developing the methodology for the design of optimal flow systems that may expand performance limits of aircrafts and other complex engineering products where fluid motions play a large role.
A.I. Shnirelman, CRC in Applied Mathematics (Tier 1), comes to Concordia from the University of Hull in the U.K. His research explores the nature of turbulent fluid flows, such as water in oceans and molten iron in the Earth's core. It is leading to a better understanding of such flows, which includes an accurate mathematical modeling of them.
David Forman, CRC in Human Development (Tier 2), originally with the University of Minnesota, has already arrived at Concordia. By observing children's interactions with their parents, his research aims to help parents and educators enlist not just children's cooperation, but also their active and eager participation in learning activities.
Vincent Martin, CRC in Microbial Genomics and Engineering (Tier 2), has also already joined Concordia, hailing from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA. He is studying how microbial genomes function in order to engineer their metabolism and produce valuable bio-based chemicals and fuels. Using genomics as a tool, the research is generating the basic knowledge and technology required to develop the next generation of industrially important biocatalytic microbes.
Xin Wei Sha, CRC in New Media Arts (Tier 2), studies gesture and creating new forms of responsive media that blend sound, video and soft wear (active and sensate fabrics) into rich interactive settings. The research involves complex engineering interlaced with artistic and philosophical creativity and enquiry. Dr. Sha is presently at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).
The Canada Research Chairs program has created 1,348 research positions at 73 Canadian universities since it was launched in 2000. The program helps universities attract and retain the best researchers and achieve research excellence in the natural sciences and engineering, health services, social sciences and the humanities.
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