UOIT professor awarded prestigious Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Decomposition Chemistry

OSHAWA, Ont. - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) has been recognized for its unique research in soft tissue decomposition, a relatively new area of study, with the announcement of a $625,000 Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Decomposition Chemistry. The chair will investigate the complex chemical reactions of soft tissue decompositions in different environments, greatly impacting forensic science and food industry investigations by helping determine times of death and the impacts of changing conditions on food spoilage.

The chair has been awarded to Dr. Shari Forbes, an assistant professor with UOIT's Faculty of Science, to continue research work that focuses on the role of lipid and protein degradation in the decomposition of soft tissue within varying environments. It will permit her to broaden the scope of her research to include geoforensics, a minimally researched, new forensic sub-discipline closely linked to decomposition chemistry. The Canada Research Chairs program will provide $500,000 in funding to Dr. Forbes over a five-year period and the Canada Foundation for Innovation will provide $125,000 for the development of a decomposition chemistry laboratory and a geoforensic research facility.

"I am honoured to have been awarded this chair and thrilled with the opportunity to include geoforensics in our research in decomposition chemistry," said Dr. Forbes. "This chair will allow me to build a unique team that will conduct leading-edge research at the forefront of decomposition chemistry and geoforensics knowledge base. This research will provide new techniques and methodologies that will greatly assist forensic investigations in determining the time of death of victims and provide the food industry with valuable information that will improve shelf life quality."

The research will further impact forensic science investigations, particularly regarding victims found in shallow graves and in varying seasonal temperatures. Because many murder victims are found outside, it is important to conduct research pertinent to forensic science in the same environment. An outdoor research area and a one-of-a-kind facility will be established to conduct decomposition research and non-invasive testing methods in a realistic environment, a requirement of geoforensic research.

The proposed outdoor research area and facility is poised to become an innovative national, and potentially international research facility. In addition to providing research and leading-edge learning opportunities for UOIT students, it will provide training for service teams in the use of geophysical techniques and increase skills in forensic science investigations; continue collaborations with international universities such as the University of Western Australia, the University of Technology, Sydney, the University of Nebraska, and the University of Bradford, United Kingdom; continue partnerships with government agencies such as Environment Canada, the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal, the Macaulay Institute, Scotland; and put UOIT at the forefront of innovative research in the area of decomposition chemistry and geoforensics.

"This is a remarkable announcement for Dr. Forbes and UOIT," said Dr. Kamiel Gabriel, associate provost, Research at UOIT. "The new research facility will provide our students with increased learning opportunities and continue to build on UOIT's reputation as an innovative research university. This proposed facility will position UOIT as a pioneer in this leading-edge research and continue to build partnerships with educational institutions and government agencies worldwide."

The chair announcement comes days before the launch on Wednesday, October 17 of UOIT's Crime Scene House, the only such university facility of its kind in Ontario. The fully furnished house is designed to depict varying crime scene scenarios that allow students to complete forensic investigations and receive valuable practical experience in crime scene investigation.

"This is a wonderful achievement for Dr. Forbes and will greatly benefit UOIT students, both at the undergraduate level in our Forensic Science program, and at the graduate level in our interdisciplinary Master of Science program in Applied Bioscience," said Dr. William Smith, dean of UOIT's Faculty of Science. "This chair will enable Dr. Forbes to expand her current research in the area of forensic science, and will also increase research opportunities for our undergraduate students, a key emphasis and differentiator for our science programs."

The Canada Research Chairs program is designed to help attract and retain the world's most accomplished and promising minds. Chairholders advance the frontiers of knowledge in their fields through their work and by teaching and supervising students and co-ordinating the work of other researchers.

Dr. Forbes completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Chemistry and Forensic Science in 2000 and her doctorate of Science (Forensic Science) in 2003 from the University of Technology, Sydney, in Australia. She was a post-doctoral fellow and associate lecturer from 2003 to 2005 at the Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Western Australia before joining UOIT's Faulty of Science in July 2005. She has numerous publications on forensic science and chemistry and has appeared in a National Geographic documentary.

About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 5,000 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers more than 30 challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of Business and Information Technology, Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Sciences. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.

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.

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Melissa Levy
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Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2513
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