BIOS OF 64 RECIPIENTS OF EARLY RESEARCHER AWARD
BROCK UNIVERSITY
Dr. Melanie Pilkington received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Kent at Canterbury, and is currently a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Brock University. Dr. Pilkington's research will develop new hybrid materials that combine the flexibility and versatility of organic materials with the magnetic, electrical and optical properties of metal. These new materials will have improved durability, greater flexibility and lower production costs.
CARLETON UNIVERSITY
Dr. Prosenjit Bose received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from McGill University, and is now an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at Carleton University. Dr. Bose's research focuses on designing more efficient routing methods to improve the speed and reliability of wireless communications.
Dr. Shawn Hayley received his Ph.D. in Psychology/Neuroscience from Carleton University where he is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology/Neuroscience. Dr. Hayley is investigating similarities between stress-related illnesses such as depression and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's, with the potential to improve treatment strategies.
LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde received his Ph.D. in Zoology/Ecology and Evolution from the University of Western Ontario, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Laurentian University. Dr. Schulte-Hostedde is investigating how variables like size, life history and climate change affect wild animals and their ability to breed. Answers to these questions will be used to develop strategies to ensure the survival of Ontario's wildlife.
MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
Dr. Robert C. A. Andersen received his Ph.D. in Sociology from McMaster University, where he is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology. Using advanced statistical models, Dr. Andersen's research will examine the social factors that affect our attitudes and actions and help us better understand how we deal with social issues, such as poverty.
Dr. Grant B. McClelland received his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of British Columbia, and is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at McMaster University. His research is on the inadequate oxygen supply to skeletal and cardiac muscles. The results will provide information relevant to heart disease, stroke and sleep apnea.
Dr. Giuseppe Melacini received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Milan/University of California, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at McMaster University. Dr. Melacini's research will build a molecular model to explain the biological actions behind neurodegenerative diseases. His research may assist in the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Dr. Nicola Nicolici received his Ph.D. in Electronics and Computer Science from the University of Southampton in the U.K., and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at McMaster University. Dr. Nicolici's research involves the design of testing systems for new electronic technologies that will improve quality and reduce costs.
Dr. Hendrik N. Poinar received his Ph.D. in Evolutionary Genetics from Ludwig Maximillian University in Munich, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Anthropology, and Pathology & Molecular Medicine at McMaster University. Through the use of DNA from the earliest known cases of HIV and fecal samples from wild chimpanzees, Dr. Poinar's research will trace the evolution of the virus from the time it was first transferred to humans. The goal of the research is to help develop an HIV vaccine.
Dr. Martin R. Stampfli received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Bern in Switzerland, and is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at McMaster University. Dr. Stampfli's research will investigate the impact of lung inflammatory diseases caused by habits such as smoking, to help us understand the affect of lung diseases on anti-viral and anti-bacterial immunity.
QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY
Dr. Andrew D. Lewis received his Ph.D. in Engineering and Applied Science from the California Institute of Technology, and is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Queen's University. Dr Lewis' research involves the theory of controlling mechanical systems, which can be applied to robotics, aerospace and autonomous vehicle control.
Dr. Martin Paré received his Ph.D. in Neurology and Neurosurgery from McGill University, and is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Psychology, and Physiology at Queen's University. Dr. Paré's research will examine how the brain regulates behaviour and controls actions, which will advance our understanding of neurological and psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, and provide the basis for developing improved therapies.
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
Dr. Vladimir Ladizhansky received his Ph.D. in Physics from the Weizmann Institute of Science, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Guelph. Dr. Ladizhansky's research investigates the development of sophisticated probing techniques to learn about the structural detail of biological materials at the atomic level. This research could lead to an increased understanding of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis.
Dr. Kevin McCann received his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Guelph, where he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology. Dr. McCann is investigating how the world's flora and fauna are disappearing at an alarming rate. His research will advance our understanding of how biological diversity is influenced, and lead to better management of resources.
Dr. Jayasankar Subramanian received his Ph.D. in Horticultural Sciences from the University of Florida, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph. Dr. Subramanian's research will isolate the antioxidants found in plums and other stone fruits, and test how these antioxidants can improve human health.
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Dr. Azzedine Boukerche received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from McGill University, and is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Information Technology and Engineering at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Boukerche will design and develop advanced computer technology leading to emergency preparedness and response training, which is critical for police, firefighters and other emergency services personnel.
Dr. Daniel Gervais received his Ph.D. in Law from the University of Nantes in France, and is currently an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Gervais' research will focus on evaluating current copyright norms and identifying changes to Canadian copyright legislation that responds to the needs of the users of copyrighted material.
Dr. Rees Kassen received his Ph.D. in Biology from McGill University and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Kassen's research investigates biological diversity in the world, examining the hypothesis that different types of species are suited to different environments.
Dr. Marc Rodger received his M.D. from the University of Ottawa, and is the Head of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program at the Ottawa Hospital (University of Ottawa). His research involves looking at ways to determine how to predict and prevent the formation of blood clots (thrombophilia) in expectant mothers.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Dr. Parham Aarabi received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto. Dr. Aarabi's research includes developing and testing speech recognition computer programs that will lead to advances in the field of computer voice recognition, particularly for mobile computing applications.
Dr. Aneil F. Agrawal received his Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from Indiana University, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of Toronto. Using an insect model, Dr. Agrawal's work investigates how social interactions produce a genetic system in which the genes in one individual can affect traits in another, and how this affects the evolutionary process. This research holds the promise for better managing natural resources, such as fisheries and forests.
Dr. Dinesh Christendat received his Ph.D. in Chemistry/Biochemistry from Concordia University, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Botany Department at the University of Toronto. Dr. Christendat is studying the shikimate pathway in plants, which produce parasites that cause diseases such as malaria. The study seeks to develop anti-malarial drug compounds.
Dr. Sharon A. Cowling received her Ph.D. in Plant Ecology from the Lund University in Sweden, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Geography at the University of Toronto. Dr. Cowling's research focuses on how vegetation alters energy, water and carbon exchanges in the atmosphere. This research will help to create computer modeling of past, present and future changes in climate.
Dr. Aaron Hertzmann received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from New York University, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto. Dr. Hertzmann will research computer animation, computer vision, and machine learning, which will be relevant in biomedical research, fluid dynamics, aerospace, physical therapy, and entertainment.
Dr. Nicola Jones received her M.D. and Ph.D. in Molecular and Medical Genetics from the University of Toronto, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Paediatrics, and Physiology at the University of Toronto and a Clinician Scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children. Her research focuses on the effects of microbes that cause peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancers, and can lead to new treatments.
Dr. Sheena Josselyn received her Ph.D. in Psychology/Neuroscience from the University of Toronto, where she is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology. Dr. Josselyn's research is looking at why and how people with Alzheimer's disease lose their memory, and investigating how memory in healthy people is formed. Her lab is examining potential treatments for memory impairments such as those caused by Alzheimer's.
Dr. Heather L. MacLean received her Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, and Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto. Dr. MacLean's research evaluates the environmental and economic implications of renewable energy sources, focusing on biomass to produce transportation fuels and generate electricity. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop affordable and sustainable energy.
Dr. Alberto Martin received his Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Toronto, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology/Medicine at the University of Toronto. His research looks at how antibodies fight disease, and how the mutation of genes can lead to cancer, in an effort to understand how these cancers occur, and how to cure or prevent them.
Dr. Colin McKerlie received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and Doctorate in Veterinary Science, Comparative Pathology from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. Dr. McKerlie is studying the effects of gene mutation to better understand the causes of diseases.
Dr. Gerald B. Penn received his Ph.D. in Language and Information Technology from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and is currently an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Toronto. Dr. Penn will study the associations between spoken and written languages. By analyzing the different writing systems of languages, he aims to improve the quality of multi-lingual search engines on the Internet.
Dr. Janice Robertson received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of London, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. Her research is looking at what causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in order to find a treatment or cure.
Dr. Lisa A. Robinson received her M.D. from the University of Toronto where she is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics. Dr. Robinson's research will investigate why injured organs or tissues produce white blood cells, which cause inflammation. Her research will explore strategies to interrupt this process and develop new therapies for inflammation in patients who experience transplant rejection, heart attack, stroke, or who have arthritis, asthma, diabetes or cancer.
Dr. Sean B. Rourke received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Dr. Rourke's research focuses on understanding how HIV and AIDS affect brain functions, and to develop potential rehabilitation methods to improve the quality of life for patients.
Dr. Dean Rowe-Magnus received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of British Columbia, and is currently a Scientist/Assistant Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on highly invasive pathogen found in shellfish, as eating contaminated shellfish can lead to illness or death.
Dr. Chetankumar S. Tailor received his Ph.D. in Virology from the University of London, and is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics at the University of Toronto and scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children. Dr. Tailor's research includes understanding how retroviruses, such as HIV and feline leukemia virus enter cells and cause disease, and how they can be modified and used in gene therapy to cure human diseases.
Dr. Anurag Tandon received his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from McGill University, and is currently an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases/Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Tandon is investigating the interactions of disease-causing proteins with other cellular factors to better understand the degenerative process that causes irreversible nerve damage in Parkinson's disease.
Dr. Michael Tymianski received his M.D. and Ph.D. in Medical Science (Neuroscience) from the University of Toronto where he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Tymianski is studying the effects of oxygen and glucose deprivation on the brain. His research may lead to drugs that protect the brain and treat strokes, epilepsy and neurotrauma.
Dr. John B. Vincent received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of London in the U.K., and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, and Associate Member of the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto. Dr. Vincent also holds a scientist position at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. His research identifies genes that increase susceptibility to autism disorder, in order to help understand the underlying causes.
Dr. Minna Woo received her M.D. and Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Toronto where she is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Woo's research focuses on defining what causes the destruction of insulin-producing cells. The goal of this research is the prevention and cure for diabetes.
Dr. Haibo Zhang received his M.D. from Tianjin University and Ph.D. in Medicine from the Free University of Brussels, and is currently an Assistant Professor/Staff Scientist in the Departments of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Zhang's research focuses on lung disease which causes inflammation. This research could lead to treatments which will block the pathogens that cause acute lung injury.
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Dr. Michael R. Collins received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Queen's University, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. His research will develop tools that improve overall solar energy system performance, which will play a major role in advancing solar-powered energy technologies.
Dr. Bernard Duncker received his Ph.D. in Biology from Queen's University, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Duncker's research seeks to identify proteins that can be used as biomarkers for early cancer detection, and characterize their potential as drug targets for anti-cancer therapies. This will result in a better prognosis for cancer patients.
Dr. Xianshe Feng received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo where he is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Dr. Feng's research is aimed at separating olefins (e.g. ethylene and propylene) from paraffins (e.g. ethane and propane), one of the most difficult separations in the petrochemical industry. Current processes are costly, energy intensive, and detrimental to the environment.
Dr. Pin-Han Ho received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Queen's University, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Ho's research will develop technology to increase the capacity and speed of transmitting information over modern communications networks such as the Internet.
Dr. Kirsten M. Müller received her Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Guelph, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Müller's research will investigate the evolution of red algae which dates as far back as 1.2 billion years, in order to provide insight into the evolution of life on earth.
Dr. Leonardo C. Simon received his Ph.D. in Materials Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande of Sul, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Simon's research will develop improved novel hybrid polymer nanocomposite materials which can benefit important areas of the Ontario economy, such as automotive, packaging, coatings and energy.
Dr. Khaled Soudki received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Manitoba, and is currently the Canada Research Chair in Innovative Structural Rehabilitation in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Soudki's research will investigate using non-corroding fibre reinforced polymers in place of the steel reinforcement currently used in concrete structures, and which rapidly deteriorate due to corrosion.
Dr. David Toman received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Kansas State University, and is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo. Dr.Toman's research involves new techniques in accessing information stored on database systems across the Internet.
Dr. Y. Norman Zhou received his Ph.D. in Metallurgy and Materials Science from the University of Toronto, and is now Assistant Professor, and Canada Research Chair in Microjoining in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. His research on state-of-the-art laser welding of advanced steels seeks to develop lighter automobile bodies with superior performance and durability. The outcome will enhance Ontario's competitiveness in the automotive manufacturing industry.
UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO
Dr. Donglin Bai received his Ph.D. in Neurophysiology from the University of Cambridge, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Bai's research will focus on the pathways that allow brain cells to communicate with each another, and their role in common neurological disorders such as epilepsy and stroke.
Dr. Brian D. Corneil received his Ph.D. in Physiology from Queen's University, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Western Ontario. His research will focus on how the central nervous system coordinates head and other complex movements, to provide insight into a variety of neurological disorders. This research hopes to develop improvements for people with brain damage, such as the use of a brain-machine device to regain control of head and eye movement.
Dr. Frederick Andrew Dick received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Dartmouth University's Medical School, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Biochemistry, Oncology, and Pediatrics at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Dick's research is on the role of the Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Gene in cancer, first identified for its role in causing eye cancer in children. His research aims to provide new diagnostic tools for treatment.
Dr. Kathleen Allen Hill received her Ph.D. in Zoology (Genetics) from the University of Western Ontario where she is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology. Dr. Hill's research will develop methods to measure DNA mutations resulting from aging and associated diseases, such as cancer and neurodegeneration, and identify their origin in order to develop preventative therapies.
Dr. Wei-Ping Min received his Ph.D. in Immunology from Kyushu University in Japan, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Surgery, and Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Western Ontario. Instead of relying on drugs, Dr. Min is developing a safer way to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs. He will investigate ways of suppressing the body's immune response after a transplant.
Dr. Richard Rozmahel received his Ph.D. in Molecular and Medical Genetics from the University of Toronto, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Biochemistry, Pediatrics, and Oncology at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Rozmahel's research will examine the role of a particular gene in cystic fibrosis and how this gene causes diseases of the lung. This will result in improved diagnosis and treatment for children with cystic fibrosis.
Dr. Juan-Luis Suarez received his Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies and Philosophy from McGill University and Universidad de Salamanea, Spain, and is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Suarez's research will focus on the art and literature of the Baroque period in the transatlantic area of the Spanish Empire, between 1550 and 1700, to illustrate how a society creates new artistic forms.
Dr. Kristy F. Tiampo received her Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Colorado, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Tiampo's research will employ computerized modeling and data analysis to improve understanding of earthquake processes and their underlying physics, with the aim of leading to better methods to forecast earthquakes.
Dr. Xingfu Zou received his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from York University, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Applied Mathematics, and Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Zou's research is deriving new mathematical models for biological problems, such as the spread of infectious disease in a community, in order to help us better understand and control epidemic diseases.
UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR
Dr. Kevin Gorey received his Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of New York at Buffalo, and is currently a Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Windsor. Dr. Gorey is exploring why lower income Canadians living in large cities tend to survive life-threatening diseases better than their American neighbours. The findings will help in improve forecasting for future healthcare needs.
WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY
Dr. Yuming Chen received his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from York University, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Wilfrid Laurier University. Dr. Chen's research focuses on the use of mathematics to understand biology and to develop new technologies. For example, his research can help characterize neurological diseases and create new technologies for memory storage and pattern recognition.
YORK UNIVERSITY
Dr. John Eastwood received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Waterloo, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at York University. Dr. Eastwood will investigate why people pay attention to emotionally expressive faces and how negative faces attract and hold attention more than positive faces.
Dr. Kerry Kawakami received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Toronto, and is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at York University. Dr. Kawakami's research will focus on automatic social biases, such as prejudice and stereotyping, and seeks to show that specific strategies, such as "association training", can reduce the use of stereotypes in judging group members.
Dr. Scott Kelly received his Ph.D. in Biology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at York University. Dr. Kelly's research focuses on how environmental stress affects the appetite of fish. This research is relevant to fresh-water fish farming, a growing industry in Canada.
Dr. Leah Vosko received her Ph.D. in Women's Studies from York University, where she is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Social Sciences. Dr. Vosko's research will analyze the relationship between gender, nationality, and forms of employment characterized by limited social benefits and statutory entitlements, low wages, job insecurity and high risks of ill health. This research is relevant in the development of Canadian social and economic policy.
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