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Faculty
3 SFU Faculty of Environment Researchers Receive $213k to Advance Work
Three Faculty of Environment researchers are among seventeen SFU recipients of $2.9 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).
This $213,000 awarded to our Faculty will go to supporting cutting edge research within various research streams. The projects include developing methods for non-destructive examination of human remains, improving the analysis for archaeological samples including sensitive cultural meterials and aiding in the the investigation of hazardous substances to improve environmental regulations.
The JELF aids in funding the necessary equiptment researchers need to carry out their innovative research.
The researchers include:
Hugo Cardoso
Investigating human remains often requires manipulating fragile specimens or using potentially destructive analytical techniques, but Hugo Cardoso, professor, Department of Archaeology, plans to move beyond common practices. His project, Shaping the Future of Non-destructive Analysis of Biologically and Culturally Sensitive Human Skeletal Remains, received $52,000 from CFI’s JELF to identify new, and improve upon existing, methodologies and technologies for analyzing materials. Addressing the conservation of fragile specimens and moving beyond destructive techniques, the project will create permanent virtual repositories of skeletal remains. Cardoso’s project will also assist federal and provincial partners (RCMP and the BC Coroner’s Service) in their forensic investigations and support Canada’s commitment to reconciliation with First Nations' communities through the repatriation of ancestral human remains.
Rudy Reimer
The Laboratory for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Coupled with an Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), led by Rudy Reimer, professor, Department of Archaeology. The $84,000 contribution from CFI will purchase valuable SEM and EDS equipment to improve the examination of archaeological samples allowing for less disruption when analysing sensitive cultural materials. This equipment scans samples with a focused beam of electrons producing information about the surface and composition of the sample. This technology is well suited for examining samples from Indigenous communities, museums and the Cultural Resource Management sector. Additionally, it will aid in forensic contexts in partnership with the British Columbia Corner’s office.
Frank Gobas
Frank Gobas, a Distinguished Professor in the School of Resource and Environmental Management is leading a Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS-MS )project that received $76,000 from CFI with additional funds of $114,747 from the BC government and other sources. Gobas will use the funds to purchase equipment that will help him and his team develop and apply robust LC-MS-MS-based analytical methods for investigating the occurrence and environmental behaviour of a new class of relatively water-soluable substances that are highly persistent, bio-accumulative and inherently toxic. The new scientific knowledge they generate will be used to expand the identification of hazardous substances and improve environmental regulations controlling the use of chemicals in commerce.
A complete list of SFU researchers who have been awarded JELF funds from the CFI can be found here.