First-Ever Canada Research Chair in Environmental Geoscience at Trent Seeks to Address Global Environmental Challenges
New School of Environment Professor Ian Power explores options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
The first-ever Canada research chair in Environmental Geoscience, Trent University’s Dr. Ian Power aims to create practical and innovative applications for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new faculty member in the Trent School of the Environment, Professor Power will focus the funding provided through his Canada research chair (CRC) position to better understand fundamental processes that can be harnessed to address environmental challenges including rising greenhouse gas emissions in the mining industry. It’s an emerging field in geosciences that is ripe for scientific inquiry and technological advances at a time when the impacts of climate change are becoming more pronounced. The position will also lead to the creation of a world-class research program that will further enhance Trent’s environmental leadership.
“With Dr. Power’s new CRC appointment, the Trent School of the Environment’s distinct and impressive reputation will undoubtedly continue to grow,” said Dr. Neil Emery, vice-president of Research and Innovation at Trent University. “We look forward to the positive effect Professor Power will have on both the Trent teaching and research community, while also observing the global impact of his significant research on environmental climate change.”
“This research holds real promise for advancing efforts towards sustainable resource development, particularly in Canada’s mining industry,” said Prof. Power. “I’m looking forward to launching my research program at Trent that will lead to exciting innovations in environmental geoscience, and outstanding learning experiences for students.”
Prof. Power officially joined the Trent School of the Environment this past summer as an assistant professor. As CRC, his research will include conducting field and laboratory studies to understand geochemical, mineralogical, and geobiological processes, particularly ones that capture and store carbon dioxide in natural and mining environments. He is currently recruiting graduate students to take part in his research, and plans to also involve undergraduate students at Trent University in his groundbreaking research. For more information about Prof. Power’s research, visit envgeolab.com.
The Tier II CRC position provides Prof. Power with a $500,000 (over five years) Government of Canada funding boost for his research.
The number of CRCs at Trent is impressively large for a university of its size. Trent’s eight chair holders advance teaching and learning through their leading edge explorations in diverse disciplines, and include the following:
- Dr. Julian Aherne, Canada research chair, Environmental Modelling
- Dr. May Chazan, Canada research chair, Feminist and Gender Studies
- Dr. Céline Guéguen, Canada research chair, Aquatic Science and Biogeochemistry
- Dr. Dennis Murray, Canada research chair, Integrative Wildlife Conservation
- Dr. Ian Power, Canada research chair, Environmental Geoscience
- Dr. Aaron Slepkov, Canada research chair, Physics of Biomaterials
- Dr. Mark Skinner, Canada research chair, Rural Aging, Health and Social Care
- Dr. Paul Szpak, Canada research chair, Environmental Archaeology
The Canada Research Chairs Program invests approximately $265 million per year toward research across science and the humanities to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds. The CRC program has positioned Canada as an international leader and destination of choice in research and development.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
For more information, contact:
Kate Weersink, communications and media relations officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or kateweersink@trentu.ca