News

Female Scientists Lead the Way as Trent University Receives $2.1 Million for Environmental Research, Equipment & Scholarships

By: Trent University

Three female Trent professors receive some of the highest grants at the University as government announces 2019 NSERC funding

Wednesday, May 22, 2019, Peterborough

Three female Trent researchers studying issues in Environmental Science received some of the highest grants following an announcement that the University has been awarded federal funding of $1.8 million over five years, plus an additional $230,000 for scholarships, further enhancing.

 Through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's (NSERC) Discovery Grants, Dr. Cheryl McKenna Neuman received $215,000 over five years for her research into geophysical mechanisms governing particle transport by wind; Dr. Marguerite Xenopoulos was awarded $275,000 over five years for her research linking carbon to structure and function in aquatic ecosystems; and Dr. Janet Yee was awarded $250,000 for her research into gene expression Giardia lamblia, a parasitic disease.

“On behalf of Trent University, I am very pleased with the announcement of the 2019 NSERC competition funding, which will support innovative research projects concentrated on a range of environmental science priorities such as aquatic ecosystems, elemental ecology, environmental change on wildlife and others,” said Dr. Neil Emery, vice-president Research and Innovation. “I am especially pleased to see extraordinary research scientists Dr. Janet Yee, Dr. Maggie Xenopoulos and Dr. Cheryl McKenna Neuman leading the way for women in science.”

The funding is part of the May 21 announcement by the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, minister of Science and Sport, who announced more than $588 million through the NSERC Discovery Grants program to support more than 4,850 researchers and students across the country.

Additional Trent University NSERC recipients are as follows:

Dr. Paul Frost – Biology: awarded a Discovery Grant worth $235,000 over five years for his research into elemental ecology: ecological stoichiometry, limiting nutrients, and lake food webs.

Dr. Barry Saville - Environmental and Life Sciences: awarded a Discovery Grant worth $235,000 for his research investigating control of Ustilago maydis teliospore formation, dormancy and germination.

Dr. Jeff Bowman - Environmental and Life Sciences: awarded a Discovery Grant worth $174,500 over five years for his research into the causes and consequences of hybridization in mammals.

Dr. Marco Pollanen – Mathematics: awarded a Discovery Grant worth $115,000 for his research into novel approaches to rich human-computer interaction with mathematical content.

Dr. Joseph Northrup - Environmental and Life Sciences: awarded a Discovery Grant worth $140,000 over five years for his research into integrating space-use, movement and demographic data to predict the consequences of environmental change on wildlife.

In addition to the Discovery Grants, Prof. Northrup also received a $12,500 Early Careers Researchers supplement grant, aimed at providing timely resources to support early career researchers as they establish their research programs.

To support researchers’ equipment costs, the University also received $219,009 in Research, Tools and Instruments (RTI) grants. Prof. Frost received an RTI grant worth $69,315 to support his ecological research. Biology professor Dr. Dennis Murray received an RTI grant worth $149,694 for his research that monitors Canadian lynx to reveal intricate predator/prey interactions and boreal ecosystem dynamics.

NSERC also awarded Trent University $230,000 in scholarships, including Canada Graduate Scholarships for Masters students, Postgraduate Scholarships for doctoral candidates and Canada Graduate Scholarships for Ph.D. students.

“Trent University remains the gold standard for preparing Canadians for the jobs of today and tomorrow while driving Canada to be even more competitive on the world stage,” said the Hon. Maryam Monsef ’03, Peterborough-Kawartha MP and Trent University alumna. “Our colleges and universities are at the forefront of excellence in science, research, and innovation. They are critical to developing our highly skilled, creative, and diverse workforce and to strengthening our economy. That is why, to date, our government has invested more than a combined $20 million into Trent University and Fleming College for infrastructure and research.”

The recently announced NSERC funding stems from the $4 billion for research committed in the 2018 federal budget, which will also support graduate scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships for students in the natural sciences and engineering. The investment is part of Canada's Science Vision, and the Government of Canada's commitment of more than $10 billion to science, which includes the largest-ever increase in funding for fundamental research.

About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.

For more information contact:
Kathryn Verhulst Rogers, manager, Marketing & Communications, Trent University, 705-748-1011 x6182 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Operation Minerva Group Thanks CCWESTT for Supporting Operation Minerva Day 2019

By: Operation Minerva Group

Dear CCWESTT 2018 Conference Committee,

On behalf of the entire Operation Minerva Planning Committee I would like to thank you for your generous donation to Operation Minerva Day 2019! Your funds were used to cover bussing, (traditionally the most expensive component of running this event), paying for substitutes for our dedicated teacher volunteers and as awards for the essay contest.

For our 30th anniversary of Operation Minerva Day this year, we were able to broaden our impact and reach by providing 139 Grade 8 girls from 40 schools throughout Calgary and surrounding areas, with the opportunity to job-shadow successful female STEM professionals. This year we had 14 different STEM organizations/groups participate as job-shadowing hosts. These organizations included Benevity, Enmax, Stantec and various research labs at the University of Calgary! Students spent Operation Minerva Day onsite with their mentors where they got to tour the facilities, learn about their day-to-day duties, and participate in fun, hands-on activities designed to teach them more about the profession. From drilling into cakes to learn about oil-well mapping to observing a model car running on hydrogen fuel cells, the girls had a variety of exciting stories to share at the end of their job-shadowing experience!

Thank you once again for helping make this incredible event possible! If you would like any more information about event day or how your funds were utilized please let me know. If you're curious to learn more about what goes on at the job-shadowing sites check out this UToday article written about the program:

Best regards,

Fariha Khaliq
Operation Minerva Coordinator
---

Operation Minerva
~Inspiring Future Generations for 30 years~
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Canadian Commission for UNESCO Spring Newsletter

By: Canadian Commission for UNESCO

The Canadian Commission for UNESCO is pleased to share with you this second edition of their newsletter.

View the Spring Newsletter HERE!

L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Programme

By: L'Oréal-UNESCO

Within the framework of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Programme, the call for nominations for the International Awards 2020 has been issued.

The 2020 edition of the Awards will designate five outstanding scientific researchers in the Life Sciences. Each of the five Laureates will receive an award of 100,000 for her great contribution to advances in scientific research. They will be celebrated in a ceremony to be held in March 2020.

Since the beginning of the programme in 1998, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards have honored 107 laureates, including three who won the Nobel Prize.

Scientists around the world are invited to submit candidates and an international jury of eminent scientists makes the final selection.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Wednesday, June 12 2019.

View the Call for Nominations – EN

View the Call for Nominations – FR

View the Rules and Regulations