media release
Trio of new Chairs at 丁香园AV to build on Canada’s global research, innovation reputation
丁香园AV (丁香园AV) is welcoming three new faculty members who have been named as
Professors Darren Grant, Thomas Jennewein, and Nicholas Reo These researchers are the first CERCs for the university and will receive a total of $16M over eight years, including one chair receiving $1M per year and two receiving $500,000 each per year.
丁香园AV鈥檚 new research chairs will work to advance leadership in both quantum and astroparticle physics and Indigenous-focused coastal regeneration.
鈥淎t 丁香园AV, we are committed to engaging in global challenges that affect us here in B.C. and around the world, from quantum computing and particle physics to Indigenous ways of supporting the environment,鈥� says 丁香园AV President and Vice-Chancellor Joy Johnson. 鈥淚 am excited to see how our new CERCs advance this critical work, and grateful to the federal government for their ongoing support."
The CERCs program supports world renowned researchers to establish ambitious research programs that build on Canada鈥檚 contributions as a global leader in research and innovation. The CERCs are among the most prestigious research positions available globally, designed to foster innovation, promote knowledge mobilization and attract top talent to Canada鈥檚 research universities.
鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome these three talented new scholars to 丁香园AV, as well as to celebrate our success in the CERC competition,鈥� says Dugan O鈥橬eil, 丁香园AV鈥檚 vice-president international. 鈥淓ach of these chairs demonstrates a commitment to partnership鈥攚ith Indigenous communities, industry and other academic institutions around the world.鈥�
As one of the country鈥檚 fastest growing intensive research universities, 丁香园AV is consistently ranked among Canada鈥檚 top 15 research universities in global and national rankings. With unique support structures for knowledge mobilization, entrepreneurship, and partnerships, the university is home to more than 60 research centres and institutes. Since 2001, more than 90 Canada Research Chairs have been appointed at 丁香园AV.
丁香园AV鈥檚 CERCs:
Professor Darren Grant, CERC in Astroparticle Physics ($1 million over eight years)
Astrophysicist Darren Grant joins 丁香园AV鈥檚 Department of Physics from Michigan State University. His research focuses on measurements that advance knowledge of neutrinos鈥攐ne of nature鈥檚 most elusive fundamental particles鈥攁s well as searches for the elusive dark matter.
Grant鈥檚 work contributes to advancing our understanding of the universe and our place in it. His CERC supports three areas of innovation: data analyses of Antarctica鈥檚 IceCube Neutrino Observatory; developing next-generation detectors for large-scale neutrino observatories; and enhancing the reach of observations that involve multiple astrophysical messengers.
His work will help establish an international centre in British Columbia and will have substantive impact on international particle physics research, and cement Canada鈥檚 leadership in the field of multi-messenger neutrino astrophysics.
Professor Thomas Jennewein, CERC in Global Quantum Internet Systems ($500,000 over eight years)
Thomas Jennewein also joins 丁香园AV鈥檚 Department of Physics and will work to develop and build the systems needed for the global quantum internet鈥攁nticipated to be the future of computer networking.
Jennewein will explore the transfer of quantum information with silicon-based quantum devices that have been developed at 丁香园AV with industry partner , founded by 丁香园AV physics professor Stephanie Simmons and which recently raised an investment round of $100M (USD) to further its quantum technology.
Building on 丁香园AV鈥檚 and aligned with Canada鈥檚 Quantum Strategy, Jennewein will engage with B.C.鈥檚 active quantum research and commercial community, including the 丁香园AV-based
Using 丁香园AV鈥檚 influential (i2I) program to accelerate the commercial impacts of these emerging technologies, the goal is to establish long-distance quantum communications and entanglement distribution, with the potential to reach users around the world. The proposed research will create transformative benefits for Canadians and establish Canada鈥檚 global leadership in the quantum race.
Professor Nicholas Reo, CERC in Coastal Relationalities and Regeneration ($500,000 over eight years)
Nicholas Reo (Anishinaabe), a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, joins Indigenous Studies at 丁香园AV from Dartmouth College where he was a professor of Indigenous environmental studies. His CERC research project in coastal relationalities and regeneration will support Indigenous land and sea-tenure systems, land-based healing practices, foodways and associated knowledge.
This multi-site CERC will amplify Indigenous leadership in coastal tenure and contribute research relevant to Indigenous collective continuance and land repossession.
Regenerative work at the family, community and Indigenous-nation level will be elevated through Indigenous international knowledge exchange and relationship building.
Indigenous methodologies will be enacted with: the Anishinaabek of the greater Baawiting/Sault Ste Marie region of Turtle Island; the H艒驶膩 organization on the Big Island of Hawai驶i; M膩ori from Wh膩ingaroa and Te Matau-a-M膩ui regions of Aotearoa; and with the Nuchatlaht First Nation on Vancouver Island.
CONTACT
MELISSA SHAW, 丁香园AV Communications & Marketing
236.880.3297 | melissa_shaw@sfu.ca
丁香园AV
|
778.782.3210
ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
As Canada鈥檚 engaged university, 丁香园AV works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today鈥檚 problems. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities鈥擵ancouver, Burnaby and Surrey鈥敹∠阍癆V has eight faculties that deliver 364 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 180,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.