scovery” Houghten, Sheridan (Computer Science): “Computational techniques for applications in bioinformatics and coding theory”
• Huang, Mei Ling (Mathematics & Statistics): “Semi-parametric and Nonparametric Inference”
• Odesski, Alexander (Mathematics & Statistics): “Algebraic and geometric structures related to integrable systems”
• Pickering, Gary (Biological Sciences): “Taste phenotypes and implications for food and beverage behaviour”
• Tattersall, Glenn (Biological Sciences): “Integrative physiological approaches to thermoregulatory and thermosensory biology”
• Vandenboom, Rene (Kinesiology): “The influence of myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation on skeletal muscle energetics, mechanics and function”
NSERC’s Discovery Grants Program supports ongoing research programs that have long-term goals as opposed to a single short-term project or collection of projects. These grants “recognize the creativity and innovation that are at the heart of all research advances, whether made individually or in teams,” says the agency.
This year, the agency reviewed a total of 3,190 applications from universities across Canada. Results were announced June 26 at Western University in London.
“We are developing, attracting and retaining the world’s most talented researchers who carry out the scientific research that creates jobs and prosperity and improves the quality of life of Canadians,” said Minister of State (Science and Technology) Ed Holder.
“This highly competitive funding for discovery research supports excellence and provides a key advantage to our researchers who want to pursue new knowledge wherever their discoveries and insights take them,” said Janet Walden, NSERC’s chief operating officer.
NSERC also offers awards to master’s and doctoral students. In this year’s competition, nine Brock University graduate students received $479,500 in NSERC funding.
These recipients include doctoral students Scott Behie and Lee Belding, who are working on the Bidochka and Dudding research teams respectively.
Behie received a Postgraduate Scholarship totalling $63,000 for three years to pursue his program “Trading nitrogen for carbon: Nitrogen/carbon translocation in a plant fungal symbiosis.” Lee Belding received an Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship totalling $70,000 for two years to support his program, “Bis-bis (dialkylamino) cyclopropenimines as molecule-based magnets.”
A list of the graduate student NSERC awards is available online.