Lakehead University Researchers Awarded Large NSERC Grant

(Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 " Thunder Bay, ON)

Dr. Han Chen, Lakehead Professor in Natural Resources Management, and his co-applicants have received a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada strategic project grant worth $620,761 over three years.

Working with Lakehead researchers, Dr. Jian Wang and Dr. Chander Shahi, Dr. Chen will examine ways to minimize the environmental impact of biomass harvesting and maximize economic opportunities.

"Without funding it's nearly impossible to do research such as this," Dr. Chen said. For the next three years, Dr. Chen will work with his research partners and at least a dozen students in the boreal forest north of Thunder Bay.

The national NSERC announcement was made today at 10:30 am at McGill University.

"This research funding could not come at a better time " with Lakehead University actively engaged in sustainable bioenergy and biorefining research," said Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President, Research, Economic Development & Innovation.

Lakehead's research team will work with the University of Toronto's Dr. Sean Thomas and Dr. Nathan Basiliko, Resolute Forest Products, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and Natural Resources Canada.

Biomass harvesting uses the tops and limbs of trees, as well as small diameter trees, felled by regular tree harvesting to produce bioenergy and biochemical products.

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Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.