Institutional announcements
Trio of Simon Fraser University Canada Research Chairs advance an inclusive and sustainable future
Three Simon Fraser University (SFU) researchers are among the country’s new and renewed Canada Research Chairs (CRC).
Neuroscientist John McDonald, archaeological scientist Michael Richards and computational chemist Samira Siahrostami’s appointments were announced June 14 by the federal government. These scholars advance Canadian research excellence in a range of areas, including cognitive neuroscience, repatriation and reconciliation, and clean energy technologies.
“We are very excited for SFU’s new and renewed Canada Research Chairs,” says Dugan O’Neil, SFU’s vice-president, research and innovation. “Their cutting-edge discoveries, innovative spirit, and strong commitment to partnerships is making a difference in Canada and beyond.
“Thanks to the Government of Canada’s ongoing support, SFU continues to engage in global challenges and grow its capacity as a leading research university advancing an inclusive and sustainable future.”
Established by the Government of Canada in 2000, the CRC Program invests up to $311 million per year to attract and retain diverse world-class researchers, and to reinforce academic research and training excellence in Canadian post-secondary institutions. Chairholders aim to achieve research excellence in engineering and natural sciences, health sciences, humanities and social sciences.
Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, and Ryan Turnbull, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, announced the investment of approximately $94.5 million for 121 new and renewed CRCs at 39 academic institutions across Canada.
SFU is one of Canada’s fastest growing research intensive universities and is home to more than 60 research centres and institutes. The university currently has 43 active CRCs, including 14 Tier 1 chairs and 29 Tier 2 chairs. Since 2001, more than 90 unique CRCs have been appointed at SFU.
SFU’s new and renewed Canada Research Chairs
John McDonald, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, renewed Tier 1 CRC in cognitive neuroscience
In a world full of distractions, the ability to ‘pay attention’ becomes crucial in managing our everyday lives. A leading researcher in the field of cognitive neuroscience, John McDonald explores how paying attention affects perception and performance.
Using sensors placed on the scalp, McDonald records electroencephalographic (EEG) brain activity to test the limits of multitasking. By decoding electrical signals associated with attention-demanding tasks, McDonald advances our understanding of fundamental attention processes leading to less distractions on the road, in classrooms and workplaces. McDonald’s findings may also help us further understand attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and degenerative diseases.
Michael Richards, Faculty of Environment, renewed Tier 1 CRC in archaeological sciences
Archaeological scientist Michael Richards studies the past to help create a better future. In collaboration with British Columbia First Nations, Richard’s work uses isotope analysis and radiocarbon dating to help identify and repatriate ancestral human remains, supporting healing and reconciliation with First Nations communities.
Applying the same methods of isotope analysis and radiocarbon to megafauna from 50,000 to 10,000 years ago, Richards also reconstructs past environments to further advance climate research.
Samira Siahrostami, Faculty of Science, Tier 2 CRC in surface electrocatalysis and electrochemical transformations - theory and modelling
Fueling a more sustainable energy economy, computational chemist Samira Siahrostami explores the use of nanocatalysts for clean energy conversion through quantum mechanical calculations. Many chemical reactions rely on catalysts, but current industrial processes are
energy intensive and release greenhouse gas emissions. Siahrostami’s work addresses the need for sustainable and effective catalysts to advance clean energy technologies via in silico design.
The CRC program is a tri-agency initiative of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) (the agencies).
The Canada Foundation for Innovation, a program partner, has also committed to investing more than $3.9 million in funding to support 18 projects at 15 institutions across Canada through its John R. Evans Leaders Fund.
See the Government of Canada’s press release.