$866,000 Research Grant to University of Northern British Columbia

Five researchers at Canada's University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) have won an $866,000 grant to finance their projects carried out in different scientific disciplines. The said funding was allocated to the researchers under the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's (NSERC) discovery grants program. The university's interim President Bill Owen emphasized that these studies ask critical questions not only for local communities but also for universal issues such as global food security and climate change. The grant will provide significant applied learning opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers at the university. Thus, it will contribute to academic education and develop innovative solutions to regional problems. The total amount was distributed among five separate projects to be conducted by five different faculty members.

Associate Professor Hossein Kazemian from the Department of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences received the largest share of the grant with $235,000. Kazemian is focusing on developing smart and compostable food packaging using focus-initiated biopolymers and advanced porous materials. The main purpose of these innovative packages is to extend the shelf life of foods, monitor freshness in real-time, and detect harmful contaminants like PFAS. Kazemian noted that this study offers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics while also utilizing Canada's forest resources. The researcher stated that they aim to rethink the way food is packaged and preserved by bringing together sustainable materials and advanced chemistry science. The ultimate goal of the project is to contribute to reducing plastic waste while also improving food quality and safety.

Erin Crockett, an Assistant Professor in the field of ecosystem science and management, secured $202,000 in support for her studies on forest growth and resilience. Crockett's research focuses on examining the impacts of tree species diversity and structural complexity on forest ecosystems in Britanya Kolumbiyası. Drawing attention to the fact that forests are under increasing pressure due to warming temperatures and changing precipitation regimes, the researcher will investigate how forestry activities and wildfires alter these relationships over time. The study aims to understand the connection of these dynamics to landscape-scale management decisions. Crockett added that promoting tree diversity offers a critical opportunity to support long-term forest health and resilience.

Professor Sarah Gray from the Department of Medical Sciences received a $195,000 grant to investigate how hormones regulating fat or adipose tissue function during metabolic stress. Gray's project aims to gain new fundamental insights into the body's stress response mechanisms under metabolic pressure. The researcher stated that understanding these biological processes is vital for comprehending human health's responses to changing world conditions. Additionally, Assistant Professor Fei Tong from the Department of Engineering secured $190,000 in funding to develop a new structural system for high-rise buildings in earthquake zones. Tong's study aims to ensure that buildings remain safe, functional, and repairable after major earthquakes by offering an applicable approach for both traditional and wooden structures in seismically active regions like Vancouver.

Finally, Mauricio Dziedzic received a $44,000 Discovery Development Grant over a two-year period for his project examining the environmental impacts of dam demolitions. This study stands out as a significant step toward understanding the environmental consequences of infrastructure failures. Overall, these five different projects represent the university's comprehensive research vision that responds to both the needs of local communities and global-scale challenges. The grants won reveal the potential of academic research to produce concrete solutions in vital areas such as sustainability, earthquake resilience, and human health. The provision of such funding also allows young researchers to gain experience in the field and in the laboratory. The university administration stated that they believe these projects will make significant long-term contributions to regional development and the global scientific body of knowledge.