Sixteen researchers at Queen’s University have secured $2.65 million in funding in the latest round of the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF). At an event at the University of Alberta, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced over $61 million in funding for state-of-the-art research labs and equipment nationwide.

The John R. Evans Leaders Fund helps exceptional researchers at universities across the country conduct leading-edge research by giving them the tools and equipment they need to become leaders in their fields.

The Queen’s funded projects will support the acquisition of infrastructure and development of tools that will advance research in myriad areas – from enhanced treatment for brain tumours to the seismic behaviour of concrete slabs to advancing the search for the elusive dark matter.

“Thanks to the support and critical investment of CFI, Queen’s researchers will have the tools and infrastructure they need to further their work in areas that have a direct impact on how we live and understand the world around us," says Kent Novakowski, Acting Vice-Principal (Research). “We look forward to seeing these projects progress.”

The successful researchers include:

• Fady Abdelaal (Civil Engineering) - $200,000
• Muhammad Alam (Electrical and Computer Engineering) - $125,000
• Ryan Alkins (Surgery) - $150,000
• Levente Balogh (Mechanical and Materials Engineering) - $200,000
• Chantelle Capicciotti (Chemistry, Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, and Surgery) - $150,000
• Aikaterini Genikomsou (Civil Engineering) - $150,000
• Guillaume Giroux (Physics) - $200,000
• Anna Harrison (Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering) - $150,000
• Felicia Maria Magpantay (Mathematics and Statistics) - $150,000
• Suraj Persaud (Mechanical and Materials Engineering) - $125,000
• Heidi-Lynn Ploeg (Mechanical and Materials Engineering) - $200,000
• Jessica Selinger (Kinesiology and Health Studies) - $150,000
• Laura Thompson (Geography and Planning) - $100,000
• Anita Tusche (Economics) - $100,000
• Sari van Anders (Psychology) - $250,000
• Peng Wang (Chemistry) - $200,000

“Ask any researcher in Canada, and they will tell you that you can’t do the best science if you don’t have the best tools,” says Minister Duncan. “I am thrilled to announce funding for the infrastructure needs of Canadian researchers. Their ground-breaking contributions to science and research have an enormous impact on the breakthroughs that help make our visions for a better future of Canada a reality.”

For more information on the program and for a full list of funded projects, visit the John R. Evans Leaders Fund website.