New tools for research: CFI funding provides access to equipment In mid-April, the Government of Canada announced nearly $20 million in funding at 33 universities across Canada through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF). The fund is designed to help universities attract top research talent from around the world by giving them access to stateof-the-art research tools and equipment. “When researchers are equipped with the right tools, they can make the kinds of discoveries that improve our environment, economy and wellbeing,” said Kristy Duncan, Minister of Science. “Investments like this increase our capacity for innovation and discovery, as well as benefit Canadians for generations to come.” Azadeh Kermanshahi-Pour, assistant professor in the Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science was among four Dalhousie researchers included in the announcement. Support to the university, across four different faculties, totalled more than $350,000.
Dr. Kermanshahi-Pour joined Dalhousie’s Faculty of Engineering in December 2013. Her research is in the broad area of biochemical engineering, with a specific focus on microalgal biotechnology, integrated biorefinery and bioremediation process development. Her work heavily involves use of advanced analytical and extraction equipment to identify specialty and commodity products in microalgal biomass as well as derivation of these products from biomass. “Lack of availability of analytical equipment has been a major challenge for our research team,” says Dr. Kermanshahi-Pour. “Our work involves cultivation of microalgae to generate biomass, which must be harvested, characterized and processed in a timely manner and as such it is crucial to have a dedicated infrastructure.” Dr. Kermanshahi-Pour says her team is excited for this funding, as it will enable dedicated infrastructure for microalgae cultivation, characterization and
Azadeh Kermanshahi-Pour
product recovery, which will form the foundation of Biorefining and Remediation Laboratory at Dalhousie. “The funding will significantly impact both fundamental and applied aspects of our research, enables us to broaden our collaboration and provides an exceptional training environment for graduate students and postdocs,” she says.
Researcher for a day In April, the Centre for Water Resources Studies (CWRS) and the Civil and Resource Engineering Department hosted Grade eight student Rachel Brouwer for a day jobshadowing director Dr. Graham Gagnon. At 13 years old, Rachel designed an innovative water pasteurization unit made from materials that are readily available in Third World countries. “It took a lot of research,” Rachel explained. “Basically, the water heats up from the sun and the water inside the pipe goes through the charcoal and cotton filters, effectively eliminating the bacteria. The design is really important because it’s a clean way of doing things, and it’s an easy way also.” The system relies solely on the sun to eliminate the bacteria from water. When her design was tested, it killed 100 per cent of the E.coli in the samples. Rachel
currently has a patent pending for her design. She hopes to become an environmental engineer and said she would love to study engineering at Dalhousie.
Grade eight student Rachel Brouwer gets some lab experience with Dr. Gagnon at CWRS.
engineering
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