I am pleased to announce the launch of the Contaminants of Emerging Concern – Research Excellence Network (CEC-REN). CEC-REN is an interdisciplinary research and innovation initiative based at Queen's University. CEC-REN research is focused on the detection and treatment of emerging contaminants in the natural and built environment, that pose environmental and human health risk and our activities align with the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDG 6, 9 & 15). Emerging contaminates of interest fall into broad classes including microbial (i.e. antimicrobial resistant organisms), nanoparticles (i.e. microplastics) and household, industrial and agricultural products (i.e. plastics & PFAS).
Our network partners include, global academic research leaders from the disciplines of engineering, chemistry, biology, geography and planning, health, computing and data analytics, business, law and policy, as well a consortium industry and municipal partners. Affiliated programs currently include; the Canadian Algae Research Technology Network, The Drinking Water Quality Group at Queen’s University, the Open Plastics Program, EcotoQ, and a number of NSERC funded CREATE’s which offer enhanced interdisciplinary training opportunities to the next generation of researchers and clean technology leaders. Training opportunities offered to undergraduate, graduate and post graduate students include working directly with our industry partners to help them build business skills and professional networks, professional and technical skills development workshops, academic seminars, and the opportunity to present posters and oral presentations at national and international symposiums, allowing them to improve their scientific knowledge translation skills whilst supporting them to build their academic network.
As the Scientific Director, I am pleased to invite researchers interested in issues related to emerging contaminants to reach out and participate in the activities of the Network.
Pascale Champagne, Ph.D., P.Eng., D.WRE, F.ASCE, F.EWRI, F.CAE
Director General, Energy, Mining and Environment Research Centre (NRCC)
Adjunct Professor, Department of Chemistry, Queen's University
