CFI Rewards Researchers at Acadia

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) recently announced it has awarded $168,301 to Acadia University to support two projects, led by Kirk Hillier and Jennie Rand.

“The investments being announced today for Acadia University will further enhance our country’s reputation as a destination of choice for outstanding researchers,” said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, president and CEO of the CFI.

The CFI continues to support cutting-edge research infrastructure that helps stimulate various sectors of our economy associated with such capital projects. It is estimated every dollar invested directly in research yields over $7 in economic benefits, including spin off jobs.

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Engineer Jennie Rand

Hillier has received $129,135 to establish a chemical analysis and bio-imaging laboratory. Hillier’s research specialty is neuroscience and behaviour of olfaction, the sense of smell. By studying insect’s neural responses to chemicals in the environment, in particular pheromones, researchers can learn new methods of environmental protection and develop sustainable strategies for managing threats to agriculture, forestry and health.

“The new CFI-funded laboratory will bring new techniques in imaging, electrophysiology and behavioural neuroscience to Acadia,” explains Hillier. “Having gas chromatography directly linked with imaging devices, this lab will be unique to Acadia - it is virtually the only one of its kind in the world.”

Rand is an emerging researcher in the Canadian drinking water industry. Her research focuses on improving municipal water quality in rural communities, with a focus on the concern of nitrogen species in water, which can form as disinfection by-products and originate from fertilizers and manure. Rand is awarded $39,166 to develop infrastructure for nutrient management and drinking water treatment. The project will see the installation of an ion chromatography (IC) system in the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre at Acadia University.

“This will build Acadia’s capacity to carry out important research on the development of innovative contaminant removal tools and disinfection practices, which will be particularly beneficial to the Annapolis Valley and other agriculturally-based regions in Canada,” explains Rand. “Ultimately, this research will lead to a better understanding of the links between human activities and water quality in rural areas, and aid in developing solutions for the complex challenges of sustaining agricultural communities.”

The CFI announced a total of $59,483,432 in new funds to support 263 projects at 40 institutions across Canada.

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