For Immediate Release
August 14, 2008

DRIVING THE INNOVATION ECONOMY IN KINGSTON

McGuinty Government Building Ontario’s Innovation-Driven Economy

NEWS

Research aimed at developing tools to help turn scientific data into healthcare solutions is one of the two projects at Queen’s University that will receive $280,000 in funding from the province’s Early Researcher Awards program.

The Queen’s research projects are expected to create jobs and training opportunities for 10 graduate students.

Funding world-class research is part of Ontario’s plan to build an innovation economy.

The researchers are:

• Dr. Hagit Shatkay, who is working to develop tools that will help scientists understand and use the flood of data that has been pouring in since the sequencing of the human genome.
• Dr. James Adam Howard Stotz, who is exploring ways to use single electrons or photons in information processing.

In total, 66 projects across the province worth $9.24 million will receive funding from the Early Researcher Awards program.

The goal of this program is to improve Ontario’s ability to attract and retain the best and brightest research talent from around the world. Today’s investment will ensure that leading Ontario researchers have the resources they need to build their research teams of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research assistants and associates from across Canada and abroad.

QUOTES

“Kingston is a magnet for some of the top scientists and researchers in the world. Together we are helping Ontario create an innovation economy that thrives on ideas, highly skilled jobs and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Kingston and the Islands MPP John Gerretsen.

“Today’s investment is an important part of Ontario’s plan to build an innovation-driven economy. We are investing in the people who are pioneering the scientific breakthroughs that will improve healthcare, protect the environment, and ignite growth in the industries that will shape Ontario’s future,” said Minister of Research and Innovation, John Wilkinson.

QUICK FACTS

• The Early Research Awards program is an important part of Ontario’s Innovation Agenda, a plan to make innovation the driving force of the provincial economy.
• Innovation is part of the McGuinty government’s five-point plan for the economy. The other parts of the plan are:



• Skills and training
• Building infrastructure
• Strategic business tax cuts to create investment
• Partnerships with business

LEARN MORE

Learn More about the Early Researcher Awards

Learn More about Ontario’s Innovation Agenda

Learn how Ontario’s Budget 2008 is supporting innovation

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See also:

• Backgrounder: Strengthening Ontario’s Innovation Economy