Twenty-five Queen’s University researchers have earned more than $16 million in funding from the Government of Ontario for projects ranging from dark matter and renewable energy to gender in the military and heart health.

“At Queen’s we are enormously appreciative of the Government of Ontario’s ongoing support of our research enterprise, especially through the Early Researcher Awards and the Ontario Research Fund,” says Steven Liss, Vice-Principal (Research). “These are truly world-class programs that both facilitate and promote research excellence by fostering transformative, internationally significant research of strategic value to our province. They also provide the support and infrastructure needed to attract and retain top talent.”

Kingston and the Islands MPP Sophie Kiwala announced the funding on Queen’s campus on June 11. Included in the announcement were five Early Researcher Awards, four Ontario Research Fund – Large Infrastructure Awards, and 16 Ontario Research Fund – Small Infrastructure Awards. The Early Researcher Awards program gives funding to new researchers working at publicly-funded Ontario research institutions to build a research team. The Research Infrastructure Awards provide research institutions with funding to help support infrastructure needs, such as modern facilities and equipment.

Dominik Barz (Chemical Engineering), Monica Castelhano (Psychology), Linda Booji (Psychology), Stefanie von Hlatky (Political Studies) and Alexander Wright (Physics) received Early Research Awards valued at $140,000 each. Their research examines a range of topics including rechargeable batteries, visual and cognitive processing of the environment, and the interaction between men and women serving in the military.

“The military is a big part of our community in Kingston and this ERA project examines how the province of Ontario can better support the professional transition of veterans,” says Dr. von Hlatky. “The research uses a gender perspective, recognizing the different professional experiences of women and men in the military.”

The $12.4 million in funding from the Ontario Research Fund – Large Infrastructure Awards matches previous funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and has been awarded to four Queen’s researchers: Stephen Archer (School of Medicine), Cathleen Crudden (Chemistry), Mark Chen (Physics) and Ian McWalter (CMC Microsystems at Innovation Park). The funding will support their research projects in cardiology, chemistry, dark matter, and nanotechnologies, respectively.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to congratulate each of the 25 researchers from Queen’s University on their well-deserved recognition,” says MPP Sophie Kiwala. “Their projects – ranging from nanotechnologies to environmental stewardship to physical and mental well-being – will build on the innovative leading edge research already underway throughout the province.”

More information on the Early Researcher Awards and the Ontario Research Fund.