April 4, 2024
Through the latest B.C. Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF) funding, the Government of B.C. is providing approximately $52.3 million to support infrastructure for 25 research projects at five post-secondary institutions.
UBC researchers have been awarded more than $47 million for 21 projects.
“These amazing researchers at B.C.’s post-secondary institutions are finding solutions to help British Columbians live healthier and happier lives,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “This important research investment through the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund continues to support the expansion of critical research capabilities and discoveries at B.C. post-secondary institutions and showcases B.C.’s research excellence.”
The B.C. Knowledge Development Fund helps grow the economy by improving B.C.’s productivity and competitiveness, which is a key objective of the StrongerBC Economic Plan. Other benefits include potential commercialization, spinoffs, patents, improved environmental management and discoveries that directly affect the health and well-being of people in B.C.
By investing in research infrastructure projects, the B.C. government is continuing to support post-secondary institutions to build toward a more innovative, sustainable and inclusive future.
BCKDF funding amount: $46,617,035
- Canadian Technology Accelerator for Digital Transformation of Manufacturing (CAN-DX)
Yusuf Altintas (Mechanical Engineering)
- Indigenous archaeology Lab for Indigenous Futures (IaLIF)
Kristen Barnett (Anthropology)
- Infrastructure for Accelerated In Vivo Molecular Imaging and Theranostic Research
François Bénard (Radiology)
- Materials for Net-Zero: Enabling the Clean Energy Transition
Ben Britton (Materials Engineering)
- SMART Labs
Janice Eng (Physical Therapy)
- Transformative and Disruptive Systems Immunology
Leonard Foster (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Michael Smith Laboratories)
- Functional genomics research for sustainable food and agriculture production
Leluo Guan (Land and Food Systems)
- Unlocking the Next Generation of Quantum Materials
Alannah Hallas (Physics and Astronomy)
- A New Correlator for CHIME
Mark Halpern (Physics and Astronomy)
- Improved Pre-clinical Modeling of Metabolic Resilience for Novel Obesity and Diabetes Therapeutics
James Johnson (Cellular and Physiological Sciences)
- Mid-Infrared Quantum Sensing and Spectroscopy (MIR-QUEST)
David Jones (Physics and Astronomy)
- CGEn: Canada's National Platform for Genome Sequencing and Analysis
Steven Jones (Medical Genetics)
- Multi-scale Seeing is Believing Platform: Imaging and Advancing RNA Vaccines and Genetics Medicines
Sabrina Leslie (Physics and Astronomy and Michael Smith Laboratories)
- High Performance Scientific Computing of 3D Cell Migration using Geometric-and Bulk-Surface PDEs (3DGeoCell Lab)
Anotida Madzvamuse (Mathematics)
- A Canadian Free Electron Laser
Takamasa Momose (Chemistry)
- Field Camera and Shim System for Precision MRI
Alexander Rauscher (Pediatrics)
- BioSEED-Biopolymer Synthesis, Engineering, Extraction, and Design
Lacey Samuels (Botany)
- TRaC: Therapies for Rare Cancers
Multi-B.C. institution project; lead B.C. researcher: Natalie Strynadka (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
- Ecocosms and Mesocosms jointly Predict Ocean Weather and Ecological Response (EMPOWER)
Multi-B.C. institution project; lead B.C. researcher: Mary O’Connor (Zoology)
University of British Columbia-Okanagan campus
BCKDF funding amount: $440,221
- Indigenous Community Based Participatory Research Communication Centre for Health and Cultural Revitalization
Alanaise Ferguson (Community, Culture and Global Studies)
- DNA Nanotechnology Laboratory
William Hughes (School of Engineering)
“The B.C. Knowledge Development Fund investment in research infrastructure empowers UBC faculty, post-docs and students to drive research and to find solutions to some of our most urgent problems. Supporting critical work in renewable bioproducts, Indigenous archeology and biomedical innovations in areas such as diabetes treatment, RNA vaccines and genetic medicines, today’s investments reflect a breadth of research strengths across UBC. We are thankful for the B.C. government’s vision in supporting research that is improving the lives of British Columbians.”
Benoit-Antoine Bacon, president and vice-chancellor, UBC
“I am delighted to see this investment in research infrastructure, which will support UBC Okanagan’s newest Canada Research Chairs and their colleagues. I’m grateful to the Province of B.C. for helping enable our researchers’ cutting-edge and important work in DNA nanotechnology and developing Indigenous approaches to overcoming intergenerational trauma and loss.”
Lesley Cormack, principal and deputy vice-chancellor, UBC Okanagan