Canada research chair develops technologies, devices for biomedical diagnosis/screening

WATERLOO - A University of Waterloo professor will explore how to develop technologies and new devices for improved biomedical diagnosis and rapid screening with support from a new Canada research chair awarded by the federal government.

As well, six other Waterloo professors obtained renewals for their existing Canada research chairs. The positions allow faculty members to focus on research and train the next generation of scientists.

"Waterloo will continue to create an environment conducive for advanced research with the Canada research chair funding," said George Dixon, Waterloo's vice-president of university research. "This investment will offer a stimulating setting for our graduate students to engage in research."

Waterloo's new Canada research chair is Carolyn Ren, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Lab-on-a-Chip Technology. The professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering will receive $100,000 annually for five years.

Ren's research involves developing lab-on-a-chip technologies for biomedical diagnosis and high throughput or rapid screening, which allows a researcher to quickly conduct millions of biochemical, genetic or pharmacological tests.

The work will lead to hand-held devices for point-of-care diagnosis and instruments for applications requiring high throughput screening such as drug discovery, thereby significantly cutting the costs of health care and environmental protection.

As head of the Waterloo Microfluidics Laboratory, Ren works with a team with expertise in physics, biochemistry and a broad range of engineering fields to better understand microfluidic transport phenomena and the processes to which they lead. Microfluidics refers to the manipulation of tiny amounts of fluid, contained in a space smaller than a millimetre.

Six other Waterloo researchers won renewals for their Canada research chairs. Entering their second terms are:

* Susan Tighe, professor of civil and environmental engineering, Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Pavement and Infrastructure Management, $500,000.

Research involves developing environmentally friendly tools for repairing and renovating Canada's pavement and civil engineering infrastructure in light of climate change. The work covers technical, economic and sustainable/environmental impact considerations into infrastructure design, construction and management, resulting in longer-lasting roads.

* Richard Staines, professor of kinesiology, Canada Research Chair in Sensorimotor Control, $500,000.

Research involves developing innovative strategies to promote recovery of movement after brain injury. The work enhances the quality of life of patients recovering movement after a stroke and eases the burden on them, their families and the health-care system.

* Perry Chou, professor of chemical engineering, Canada Research Chair in Biomanufacturing, $500,000.

Research involves developing new biochemical and genetic strategies to enhance biomanufacturing. The work strengthens Canada's capacity in the production of high-value bioproducts.

* Janusz Pawliszyn, professor of chemistry, Canada Research Chair in New Analytical Methods and Technologies, $1.4 million.

Research involves developing sophisticated analytical methods and instruments for on-site analysis and monitoring of living and environmental systems. These on-site technologies reduce errors and shorten the time needed for transporting and storing samples.

* Cameron Stewart, professor of pure mathematics, Canada Research Chair in Number Theory, $1.4 million.

Research involves using a wide range of techniques to solve mathematical problems. The work will have applications for telecommunications and electronic commerce.

* Nicholas Wormald, combinatorics and optimization, Canada Research Chair in Combinatorics and Optimization, $1.4 million.

Research involves developing innovative techniques to investigate random structures. The work advances the field of combinatorial mathematics and will have a wide potential range of applications.

There are two levels of Canada research chairs. Seven-year chairs ($200,000 a year) are awarded to experienced researchers widely acknowledged as world leaders in their fields. Five-year chairs ($100,000 a year) recognize researchers considered by their peers as having the most potential to lead in their fields.