Lakehead U Receives $2.1 Million in Research Grants

(Thunder Bay, May 6, 2005) Lakehead University is pleased to announce the results of the annual competition of Science and Engineering Research Canada (NSERC). In the 2005 competition, in terms of the first year of the grant, Lakehead University has received almost triple the amount of new NSERC grant money compared with last year's grants. 22 researchers will be benefiting from these grants. These researchers join Lakehead's roster of 46 other NSERC-funded researchers.

In the recent NSERC competition, the total value of new NSERC Discovery Grants awarded to Lakehead was $2,156,450 over five years. During this competition, five Research Tools and Instruments Grants were also awarded to Lakehead, totalling $260,381.
"Lakehead University's continued success in the NSERC research competitions reflects the quality of our faculty and of the research activities at Lakehead and of their research," says Dr. Fred Gilbert, President, Lakehead University. "I congratulate all who were successful in the current competition. Lakehead University is building a strong research reputation that will assist us to develop additional graduate programs and attract new faculty and students."

NSERC is the national instrument for making strategic investments in Canada's capability in science and technology. NSERC supports both basic university research through research grants and project research through partnerships of universities with industry, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people in both areas. NSERC reports to Parliament through the Minister of Industry. It is governed by a council selected from the private and public sectors, and the universities.

"The researchers who have received new NSERC grants join a roster of successful professors who, through their academic pursuits, show a commitment to building a better future," says Dr. Rui Wang, Vice President (Research) at Lakehead University. "We are very proud of the many accomplishments of our researchers and faculty members, and we look forward to continued growth in our research development at Lakehead U."

In addition to the Discovery Grants, Lakehead U is pleased to announce that 8 postgraduate students have received NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships. The NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships (PSG) provide financial support to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in master's or doctoral programs in the natural sciences or engineering. This support allows these scholars to fully concentrate on their studies and to seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields. In addition to the 2005-2006 award recipients, Lakehead has 11 other graduate students who are receiving the second year of their NSERC awards.

For information on faculty NSERC funding, please contact Dr. Christine Gottardo at 343-8466. For information on the NSERC PGS, please contact Dr. Gary Boire at 766-7136.

-30-

Contact: Marla Tomlinson, Communications Officer, 807-343-8177 or 807-472-9113