Backgrounder

August 4, 2010

Early Researcher Awards

Ontario is providing more than $11 million to support 80 emerging researchers and their teams at 16 institutions across Ontario through the Early Researcher Awards program. Lead researchers will receive up to $140,000 through the program.

University of Waterloo

Multiband and multiprotocol radios for cognitive and green wireless infrastructure
Creating cost-effective, ultra power-efficient radios
Lead researcher: Dr. Slim Boumaiza
Number of researchers benefiting: 4

At the University of Waterloo, Dr. Slim Boumaiza is working on software-defined radio technology for effective use of radiofrequency spectrum and reduced carbon footprint for wireless networks. Creating software programmable, cost effective and ultra power-efficient radios could help create wireless communication networks that would eventually expand into a universal communication infrastructure.

A biomechanical model of fatigue-induced subacromial impingement
Investigating how to prevent shoulder injuries
Lead researcher: Dr. Clark R. Dickerson
Number of researchers benefiting: 4

Shoulder injuries are increasingly common and associated with long and costly recoveries. At the University of Waterloo, Dr. Clark R. Dickerson is researching the causes of these injuries. He hopes to develop more effective workplace ergonomics, rehabilitation strategies, preventative exercise programs and public education – and ultimately help reduce the occurrence and severity of shoulder injuries in Ontario.

Privacy-enhanced communication for Internet users
Improving the privacy of online communications
Lead researcher: Dr. Ian Goldberg
Number of researchers benefiting: 3

Dr. Ian Goldberg at the University of Waterloo is working to improve the privacy of online communications, including Web, instant messaging, and email. His research could give people the ability to control the spread of information about their online activities.

Treatment of type 1 diabetes by enhancing islet graft function using a novel gene delivery technique called Ultrasound Targeted Microbubble Destruction to improve islet transplantation success
A new treatment for diabetes
Lead researcher: Dr. Jamie William Joseph
Number of researchers benefiting: 8

According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, there are more than two million diabetic patients in Canada, costing the health care system an estimated $13.2 billion annually. Dr. Jamie William Joseph at the University of Waterloo is investigating the mechanics of insulin secretion in order to develop new and better ways to treat diabetes.

Static verification of object-oriented programs
Developing improved software development tools
Lead researcher: Dr. Ondřej Lhoták
Number of researchers benefiting: 2

Dr. Ondřej Lhoták at the University of Waterloo aims to improve software development tools by integrating precise program analysis algorithms into practical tools. These algorithms will be applicable to mainstream programming languages, usable in real programming tools and capable of detecting programming errors before a program executes.

Exploring quantum entanglement as a resource for condensed matter research
Developing entanglement measures in large-scale computer simulations
Lead researcher: Dr. Roger Gordon Melko
Number of researchers benefiting: 3

Entanglement describes the ties that bind microscopic particles together across time and space. The goal of Dr. Roger Gordon Melko’s research is to develop entanglement measures in large-scale computer simulations, opening up new avenues to study novel and important physical phenomena in condensed matter, ultracold atoms, and other quantum materials. This leading-edge research will complement the activities of the world-renowned Perimeter Institute for Particle Physics and Institute for Quantum Computing.

Ultra-deep sequencing for characterizing complex microbial communities
Expanding our knowledge about the distribution and diversity of microorganisms in natural communities
Lead researcher: Dr. Josh David Neufeld
Number of researchers benefiting: 5

Dr. Josh David Neufeld at the University of Waterloo has developed a microbial gene sequencing technique that can quantify microbial diversity more effectively than other existing approaches. He will use this novel method to identify the factors that govern microbial community composition and diversity in a variety of terrestrial, aquatic and human environments.

Mid-infrared tunable lasers and VSCELs for bio-chemical sensing
Using lasers to detect pollution
Lead researcher: Dr. Simarjeet Saini
Number of researchers benefiting: 3

Dr. Simarjeet Saini at the University of Waterloo is developing lasers that can be tuned to the specific portion of the mid-infrared wavelength region sensitive to many environmental pollutants. Such lasers could help detect and measure pollutants such as trace gases in the atmosphere, especially those released by iron and steel processes, semiconductor foundries, auto emissions and livestock.

Wilfrid Laurier University

Nanostructured materials for advanced optical applications via synthetic control and self-assembly of nanoscale building blocks
Building optical nanomaterials that hold practical applications
Lead researcher: Dr. Vladimir Kitaev
Number of researchers benefiting: 5

Dr. Vladimir Kitaev at Wilfrid Laurier University is synthesizing nanostructured materials made of uniform nanoscale building blocks. The main structural units of these materials are plasmonic metal nanoparticles including gold and silver, which provide them with unique optical properties. Potential applications range from optical devices to biosensors for medical diagnostics.

Mindfulness and acceptance-based treatments for social anxiety: mechanisms of action
Investigating whether mindfulness can reduce levels of social anxiety
Lead researcher: Dr. Nancy Kocovski
Number of researchers benefiting: 9

People who experience social anxiety are concerned that others are judging them. This ailment can escalate into a social anxiety disorder. Wilfrid Laurier University’s Dr. Nancy Kocovski is researching the effectiveness of mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy for social anxiety.