Brock awarded over $700,000 for health and aging research

Erik Dickson
The Brock Press
January 12, 2010

On Dec. 22, Brock announced that it had been awarded $727,012 by the CFI to support five research projects led by Brock professors.

These projects focus on aging, human health and materials science, and involve collaborative partnerships and benefits for the Niagara Region.

The Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) supports research through infrastructure that helps stimulate various sectors of the economy associated with such capital projects. CFI estimates that every dollar invested directly in research yields more than $7 in economic benefits, including spin-off jobs.

“Brock continues to strengthen its reputation as a centre of vital research,” said St. Catharines MP Rick Dykstra at the announcement. “I am very pleased to see the CFI support the efforts of our world-class researchers in these vitally important areas such as aging and human health.”

“The cutting-edge infrastructure acquired by these researchers will further our relationship in various areas that are highly relevant for the Niagara Region,” said Liette Vasseur, vice-president of Research at Brock. “The project for materials science also shows Brock’s increasing strength in this field and opens up collaboration possibilities with regional companies in this area.”

She added, “Such investment in research has the high potential for long-term benefits in our region and beyond.”

“The investments at Brock will further enhance our country’s reputation as a destination of choice for outstanding researchers,” said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of CFI. “They will make our universities even more competitive when it comes to attracting the best and brightest researchers from around the world.”

The five projects awarded funding are diverse, and deal with some very different topics.

Catherine Mondloch, a professor in the Department of Psychology, was awarded $170,790 to help with a project called “The Development of Face Perception”. Also a professor of psychology, Sidney Segalowitz received $35,965 for “Neurovisceral Models of Mental Health and Personality”.

Professor of Physics, Fereidoon Razayi, received $245,850 for a project titled “The Physical Property Management System (PPMS) for Research on Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Materials and Thin Films of Compounds”.

Craig Tokuno, assistant professor of Physical Education and Kinesiology, was awarded $148,790 for “Establishment of the Balance and Gait Laboratory to Investigate the Neural Strategies Used for Postural and Locomotor Control”.

Finally, Ayda Tekok-Kilic, an assistant professor in Child and Youth Studies, received $125,617 for a project called “An Electrophysiological Approach to the Developmental Trajectories of Working Memory Functions.”

The CFI announced a total of nearly $60 million in new funds to support 262 projects at 40 institutions across Canada. A total of $45,688,386 was awarded under the Leaders Opportunity Fund, which provides infrastructure support to Canadian colleges and universities so they can attract and retain leading researchers.

The remaining $13,706,516 was awarded under the Infrastructure Operating Fund, a program that assists research institutions with the incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with new infrastructure projects.

For a complete list of projects awarded, visit innovation.ca

Originally Printed: The Brock Press