Psychology researcher awarded BCKDF funding for neuroscience research

Psychology assistant professor Brianne Kent's project for a behavioural neuroscience laboratory is among 23 interdisciplinary research projects from Simon Fraser University (SFU) that has been awarded nearly $6.2 million from the province's B.C. Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF). 

In addition to being associate director of SFU's Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Kent is also a Canada Research Chair (II) in Translational Neuroscience and Dementia, and a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar. Her research examines the fundamental processes underlying cognition, circadian rhythms, and neurodegenerative disease in both rodent models and humans.

From SFU News: 

The province’s B.C. Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF) has awarded nearly $6.2 million for 23 interdisciplinary research projects at Simon Fraser University.

This investment helps ensure SFU researchers have access to the state-of-the-art scientific equipment and infrastructure they need to lead the province into the future. The BCKDF supports the development of research infrastructure—including labs and equipment—and helps British Columbia’s academic institutions attract scientists, skilled technicians, students and other research users. Supporting research facilities and providing resources also fosters innovation and helps institutions collaborate with industry.

“BCKDF funding allows SFU's researchers to continue their work in vital areas such as health sciences, clean tech and advanced computing, while enabling the development of enhanced infrastructure to better serve and attract researchers and industry to B.C.,” says Dugan O’Neil, SFU’s vice-president, research and international. “This support helps our scientists pursue new collaborations and drives innovation that contributes to the social, environmental and economic well-being of the province.”

From projects advancing innovation in neuroscience and neurotechnology, to broadening the understanding of infectious disease, to action on climate change, BCKDF investments support a wide range of research areas that seek to improve lives, support resilient communities and care for our planet. Seven of SFU’s eight faculties are represented in the projects receiving funding.

For example, researchers in Professor Sami Khan’s Engineering Interfaces for Sustainable Energy lab are working to enhance the performance of carbon capture, conversion and storage technologies, providing solutions to challenges faced by alternative energy systems that address climate change.

“The BCKDF support will enable us to continue to work on solutions to lead the transition to greener forms of energy,” says Khan. “Our work is an important part of addressing climate change and we are grateful for the support that promotes fundamental research investigations in our laboratories.”

See the official news release from BCKDF