Acadia's
first Canada Research Chair dedicated to the Environment
For Release: October 8, 2002
(Wolfville,
NS) - As Acadia appoints the second of seven Canada
Research Chairs (CRCs), the primarily undergraduate university takes
its place in the forefront of environmental research. Dr. John Roff
joined Acadia as a Tier-1 Chair in Environmental Science and
Conservation in September. The CRC Program is investing $1.4 million
to support the Chair, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation has
awarded Dr. Roff $210,000 to acquire equipment to support his
research program.
Dr. Roff, a Guelph
University researcher, specifically chose to conduct his research at
Acadia. "I wanted to relocate from Canada's leading comprehensive
university to Canada's leading primarily undergraduate university to
enhance Acadia's research and graduate programs." The Acadia
Advantage program has established Acadia as a premier institution
for undergraduate education. With Dr. Roff's expertise and the state
of the art K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre, Acadia has
another platform to leverage itself as a world leader in terms of
environmental expertise. The facility, unique in Canada, offers
faculty and students the opportunity to conduct exciting and
uniquely important environmental research.
Dr. Roff will
concentrate his efforts on the conservation of aquatic habitats,
both freshwater and marine. As Canada has the largest concentration
of freshwater resources and the second longest coastline, the
ability to responsibly utilize and preserve these resources are of
utmost importance. Nova Scotia's own unique estuarine habitat will
benefit from this research. Dr. Roff's research will also help
maintain Canada as an international leader in the field of aquatic
conservation. It will ultimately produce a major blend of approaches
for the conservation of aquatic resources and biodiversity in the
face of human use and changing global climate.
Dr. Roff plans to
establish SE-AR, Secretariat of the Environment - Atlantic Region,
an environmental clearinghouse that combines the will of the public,
the respect and expertise of universities, government resources, and
the competence and ability of business in tackling environmental
issues. SE-AR is based on an Australian model for solving
environmental problems.
The Canada Research
Chair program was developed by the federal government to provide
opportunities for outstanding individuals to further their careers
through financed research, as well as promote innovation and
excellence in Canadian universities. Tier-1 chairs are awarded to
experienced researchers who are acknowledged as world leaders in
their fields.
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For more information contact:
Sheri Woodland
Communications Manager
Office of Public Affairs
Acadia University
(902) 585-1362
Acadia
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