Trent University Faculty Receive over $1 Million in Research Funding from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Two Trent researchers funded by Strategic Project Grants

Tuesday, January 25, 2011, Peterborough

On Thursday, January 20, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) announced that Trent University researchers Drs. Dennis Murray and Paul Wilson are recipients of two 2010 Strategic Project Grants (SPG) totalling $1,083,500.00.

Dr. Dennis L. Murray, Canada Research Chair in Terrestrial Ecology and associate professor in the Department of Biology at Trent received $560,750 for his project on the development of models predicting large-scale connectivity and sustainability of Canada lynx populations, working in cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Manitoba Conservation. The amount was awarded over a three-year period from 2010 to 2012. Professor Murray’s work will develop models that predict population changes for lynx, leading to a comprehensive understanding of factors affecting long-term sustainability and viability for the species in the face of recent population decline.

Dr. Paul J. Wilson, Canada Research Chair in DNA Profiling, Forensics and Functional Genomics, and associate professor in the Department of Biology at Trent was granted $522,750 for his work on the development of genetic-based functional connectivity models for boreal caribou herds and ecotypes, awarded for a three year period from 2010 to 2012. Professor Wilson’s research, in cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources, will develop models incorporating genetic, environmental, landscape, anthropogenic and ecological data for the purpose of implementing effective land-use decisions around the threatened species of the boreal caribou.

NSERC is a federal agency that helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for the benefit of all Canadians. The agency supports some 28,000 university students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding more than 11,800 university professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 1,500 Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research projects. The goal of the SPG Program is to increase research and training in targeted areas that could strongly enhance Canada's economy, society and/or environment within the next 10 years.

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For more information, please contact: Don Cumming, associate vice-president, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Trent University, 705-748-1011 ext. 6181