Acadia University
Wolfville, Nova Scotia B0P 1X0
(902) 585-1362 Fax (902) 585-1072News Release
For Release: August 31, 2001Acadia researchers receive more than $900,000 in funding
(Wolfville, NS) - Researchers at Acadia University have recently been awarded over $900,000 in research funding from federal agencies, including the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)."Acadia has a tradition of top-quality research in many disciplines," says Dr. Michael Leiter, Vice-President (Academic). "Our faculty are leaders in their fields, and this funding will benefit researchers, the University, and the community."
Grant recipients included faculty members from various departments, including Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Education, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Psychology, Recreation Management and Kinesiology, and Sociology.
Dr. Sharon Roscoe, Head of Acadia's Chemistry Department, received over $120,000 in NSERC funding. Dr. Roscoe's work furthers the understanding of how proteins interact with surfaces. The fundamental study of protein interactions with surfaces has many practical applications for the food processing industry and for medical implant devices.
Dr. Sandra Barr, a professor in Acadia's Geology Department, was the recipient of $47,700 per year for 4 years to pursue her research on the age, mineral, and chemical characteristics of igneous rocks in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Labrador, and Thailand. Her studies will lead to a better understanding of the formation of ancient mountain belts, and may lead to new targets for mineral resource exploration.
Dr. Heather Hemming and Dr. Sonya Symons were awarded $102,000 over 3 years by SSHRC under the Valuing Literacy in Canada program. This project will investigate issues surrounding the implementation of effective workplace literacy programs using computer-assisted instruction.
Dr. Dianne Looker, Head of the Department of Sociology, received $77,000 over three years as part of an ongoing program of research which examines transitions to adulthood for women and men in rural and urban settings. The role of the community and the economy will also be investigated in these transitions.
Cutting-edge research continues at the Acadia Centre for Microstructural Analysis, (ACMA), created with the assistance of the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Dr. Craig Bennett, professor of Physics and Director of ACMA, works with staff to provide quality research and development services to regional and international businesses, consulting firms and government agencies concerning the structural and compositional analyses of metals, polymers, ceramics, coatings and biological materials.
Acadia researchers have also been chosen to participate in two Networks of Centres of Excellence, a federal program aimed at partnering Canada's top researchers from universities, industries, and government. The two projects include the Canadian Water Network (with Acadia researchers Dr. Graham Daborn and Dr. Colin Bell) and the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network (with Acadia researchers Dr. Sonya Symons and Dr. Derrick Bourassa.)
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For more information contact:
Sheri Woodland
Communications Manager
Office of Public Affairs
Acadia University
(902) 585-1362
Acadia HomePublished by: The Office of Public Affairs
Last revised: August 31, 2001
URL: http://www.acadiau.ca/whatsnew/newsrelease/2001/FundingReceived_Aug31.html