NSAC RESEARCHERS RECEIVE $1.3 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR WORK ON AGRICULTURE AND EVIRONMENT

NSAC is pleased to announce funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). The funding will allow NSAC to develop and enhance research programs at the university. Mr. Jac van Beek, Vice President of Programs and Planning, CFI, presented certificates to three faculty members who received funding from the CFI Leading Edge Fund, Leader’s Opportunity Fund. Dr. Bernie MacDonald, NSAC’s Co-President, Vice President Administration, presented the Canada Research Chair Infrastructure Fund to a fourth faculty member.

The $513,275 in contributions from the CFI will be matched by support from the Government of Nova Scotia through the Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust (NSRIT). Contributions have also been made through various industry organizations. This support will allow NSAC to increase research capacity, training of highly qualified personnel and graduate students and expand relationships with industry and government partners.

The Honourable Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, brought greetings from the province of Nova Scotia on behalf of Premier Rodney MacDonald and Brooke Taylor, Minister of Agriculture.

The Honourable Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal relations brings greeting from the Province.

The recipients of the Canada Foundation Innovation awards were NSAC researchers Dr. Berni Benkel, Dr. Kathleen Glover, Dr. Nathan Boyd and Dr. Derek Lynch.

The award winners: (left to right) Dr. Berni Benkel, Dr. Derek Lynch, Dr. Nathan Boyd and Dr. Kathleen Glover.

The funding announced Feb.29 will lead to discoveries and new technology in the areas of weed management, molecular nutrition research, new food products, agricultural genomics research and organic agriculture.

Co-Presidents Dr. Leslie MacLaren and Dr. Bernie MacDonald noted the importance of CFI funding to increased research capacity at the university.

Said Dr. MacLaren: “NSAC has been extremely successful in attracting high calibre researchers who have an interest and ability to work closely with industry. This connection allows them to develop creative approaches to deal with emerging issues in agriculture and the environment. Our partnership with CFI has been instrumental in ensuring that researchers have the resources they need to make valuable contributions to their fields.”

Said Dr. MacDonald: “We are extremely proud of our research capacity here at NSAC. The continued success of our faculty members in competitions such as this speaks to the calibre of our professors and to the quality of education we are providing our students; they are truly learning from the best.”

Dr. Bernie MacDonald, Co-President NSAC, presents Canada Research Chair Award to Dr. Derek Lynch

These projects further solidify NSAC’s position as a leader in the innovative field of agricultural and life sciences research.