Canada Foundation for Innovation awards more than $200,000 in research funding to UOIT

OSHAWA, Ont. - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) today announced that it has been awarded $238,968 in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to support research in the areas of science, technology and health.

"Knowledge-intensive economies and societies of the 21st century will be characterized by innovative research and a highly educated and skilled workforce," said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, president and CEO of the CFI. "Over the past 10 years, the CFI's investments have been a major factor in enabling Canada's universities and colleges to attract some of the world's best researchers. This important investment will ensure that this trend continues."

Provided through the CFI's Leaders Opportunity Fund, an ongoing program designed to assist Canadian universities with attracting and retaining excellent faculty and leading researchers, the funding will support four different research projects being led by professors with UOIT's faculties of Science, Engineering and Applied Science, and Business and Information Technology.

"This latest infusion of research money is a complement to the talented staff and students at UOIT and their drive towards excellence in education," said Jim Flaherty, MP for Whitby-Oshawa and Canada's minister of Finance. "If we are to compete in this highly competitive global economy, we will need to create the best-educated, most-skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. UOIT is playing a significant role in helping Canada achieve that goal."

Dr. Shahram Shahbazpanahi, an assistant professor with the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science and the lead researcher for UOIT's Advanced Wireless Communications and Networking Research Laboratory, is the principal investigator (PI) for a grant of $85,460; Dr. Brad Easton, an assistant professor with the Faculty of Science, has received a grant of $39,442 towards the development of an Electrochemical Materials Research Lab; Dr. Mark Green, a professor with the Faculty of Science, is the PI for a $59,607 grant towards infrastructure for a Laboratory for Advanced User Interfaces and Virtual Reality; and Dr. Patrick Hung, an assistant professor with the Faculty of Business and Information Technology, has received a $54,459 grant to lead a Research Centre for Mobile Healthcare Service Assurance and Privacy.

"We are very grateful for the CFI's continued and generous support of our mandate to seek out research-based answers to real-world problems," said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT. "These funds will support our world-class faculty in their efforts to investigate, innovate and ultimately implement solutions that have a direct impact on society."

Dr. Shahbazpanahi and his co-investigator Dr. Ramiro Liscano, also of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science will be developing a laboratory to conduct effective theoretical and applied research in wireless communication, networking and signal processing through the capability of creating a large scale and mobile sensor network.

"I am delighted that the CFI is continuing to support our focus of exploring new ways to apply technology to better serve the needs of consumers and industry," said Dr. Marc Rosen, dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. "This funding will enable UOIT to expand the research being conducted through its Advanced Wireless Communications and Networking Research Laboratory, research that addresses information technology, the automotive and manufacturing industries and public safety."

Dr. Easton's grant will be used to support the development of an Electrochemical Materials Research Lab with research work focused on alternative energy production, specifically the study of inorganic-organic hybrid materials and their potential contribution to cost-effective and durable clean energy sources such as fuel cells.

The CFI's investment in infrastructure for the interdisciplinary Laboratory for Advanced User Interfaces and Virtual Reality will see Dr. Green and his co-investigators Dr. Jing Ren of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science and Dr. Miguel Vargas Martin of the faculties of Business and Information Technology and Engineering and Applied Science, conduct enhanced research in advanced computer user interfaces and their applications in areas such as minimally invasive surgery, network monitoring and intrusion detection, and more.

"These two projects have the potential to impact the quality of life in our society in many different ways including energy efficiency, public safety and security, health care, environmental responsibility and more," said Dr. William Smith, dean of the Faculty of Science. "This funding will enable us to continue to conduct research that has real-world implications with the computer user interface grant involving participants from three faculties being especially noteworthy as it reflects UOIT's emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration."

In addition to the grants awarded to Dr. Shahbazpanahi, Dr. Easton and Dr. Green, Dr. Hung will be utilizing his funding to lead a Research Centre for Mobile Healthcare Service Assurance and Privacy with research focused on developing technology that will ensure the confidentiality and security of health information being accessed through mobile health care services such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers and other such devices.

"We must ensure that the tools and technology we have in place to support patient health care do not compromise their right to information security and privacy," affirmed Dr. Bernadette Schell, dean of the Faculty of Business and Information Technology. "Dr. Hung's research will play a key role in the health care industry as information technology becomes more and more prevalent."

A total of $39.2 million in new funds to support 261 researchers at 42 institutions across Canada was announced by the CFI on Friday, June 8. The investment was approved by the CFI's Board of Directors following a rigorous merit review process. $32.6 million was awarded under the Leaders Opportunities Fund and the remaining $6.6 million was awarded under the Infrastructure Operating Fund, an accompanying program which assists universities with the incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with new infrastructure projects.

"Our newly released science and technology strategy recognizes the importance of doing more to turn ideas into innovations that provide solutions to our environment, health and other important challenges; this will in turn improve Canada's economic competitiveness. This announcement is an example how Canada's new government is strategically investing into our local universities," said Dr. Colin Carrie, MP for Oshawa and parliamentary secretary to the minister of Industry. "These awards will help ensure that UOIT attracts the best and brightest professors and students, and allow them to continue their work and contribution to the prosperity and well-being of all Canadians."

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About UOIT
As the province's newest university, UOIT provides a unique combination of academic knowledge, vibrant student life, leading-edge research, and hands-on skills. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers career-focused undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business and information technology, sciences, engineering, nursing, social science, and education. The university is committed to research excellence and has attracted significant research grants and awards including five Canada Research Chairs. Sharing facilities and selected services with Durham College, UOIT has attracted over 4,000 students since its inception in 2003. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.

About the Canada Foundation for Innovation
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. The CFI's mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Allison Rosnak
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2513
allison.rosnak@uoit.ca