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The Government of Ontario has awarded $75 million in funding to 162 research projects through the Ontario Research Fund (ORF) and the Early Researcher Awards (ERA). Twelve �ʹ�����’s programs have secured a total of $2.3 million to support transformative research within the province’s health, energy, agriculture, and technology sectors.

“Our government is investing in made-in-Ontario research that will protect our economy, jobs, and workers,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “By driving cutting-edge research at our world class postsecondary institutions, hospitals, and research institutions, people in Ontario, Canada, and around the world will benefit from discoveries made in our own backyard.”

Through the ERA and ORF programs, the government aims to stimulate long-term economic growth, foster a skilled labour force within Ontario, and enable discoveries that save and improve patient lives.

“These projects will stimulate technological advancements in Ontario’s energy, agriculture, and health sectors. The Early Researcher Awards (ERAs) catalyze the research programs of early career researchers, creating more plentiful and rewarding opportunities for student trainees,” says Nancy Ross, Vice-Principal (Research). “By contributing to the development of a technologically advanced workforce, �ʹ�����’s aims to solve pressing challenges in Ontario, Canada, and across the globe.”

Learn more about the funded �ʹ�����’s research programs:

Yanwen Zhang (Mechanical and Materials Engineering), , has been awarded $800,000 to develop innovations in next-generation small modular nuclear reactors. These funds will support the Zhang Lab as the team aims to increase the reliability and safety of nuclear power while simultaneously reducing costs. Further research will also centre around the application of basic materials science to benefit the operation and maintenance of existing nuclear reactors. This research will strengthen the existing infrastructure of Ontario’s energy sector, while also facilitating its expansion.

Ying Zou (Electrical and Computer Engineering), , has received $200,000 to support the advancement and evolution of software applications, ensuring their reliability and responsiveness to growing user bases. This proposed infrastructure will provide the framework needed to bolster software engineering research and implementation throughout the province.

Sarah Dick (Biomedical and Molecular Sciences) secured $175,000 in research funding to explore the role of macrophages, crucial immune cells, in cardiac tissue repair during heart attacks. This research will characterize cell-cell interactions between immune and cardiac cells, informing the development of novel immunotherapies that promote macrophage expansion and repair of damaged tissues. These unique treatments will aim to facilitate recovery in heart attack patients, improving quality of life for Ontarians.

Pouya Amiri (Kinesiology and Health Studies) has received $144,000 to investigate the neuromuscular mechanisms of human balance and coordination, with the aim of developing lower limb prostheses. Through the combination of experimental biomechanics and computational modelling the Amiri Lab hopes to optimize the health and physical performance of amputees.

Laurent Karim Béland (Mechanical and Materials Engineering) has been awarded $140,000 to investigate zirconium alloy degradation in nuclear reactors using advanced computing. This project aims to predict how zirconium alloys behave over time under reactor conditions by modeling their behaviour at the molecular level. The insights gained will inform the development and maintenance of reactor components, improving the safety and efficiency of Ontario’s nuclear energy sector.

George diCenzo (Biology) has received $140,000 in funding to investigate the commercial applications of rhizobia, a nitrogen-fixing bacteria that could reduce the need for chemical fertilizers in the agricultural sector. By limiting the need for chemical fertilizers, this research will reduce agricultural costs, promote national food security, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The funding will support the transfer of the most effective strains of rhizobia to Ontario-based companies for their distribution to Ontario farmers, increasing their availability throughout the province.

Cao Thang Dinh (Chemical Engineering) has secured $140,000 to increase the practical viability of carbon capture and conversion technologies by integrating them with wind and solar energy sources. Using this innovative combination to optimize the efficiency and longevity of carbon capture and conversion, Dinh and his team aim to reduce Ontario’s reliance on fossil fuels, leading to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emission. Additionally, these funds will support the training of highly qualified personnel in Ontario’s clean technology industry.

Sarah Sadavoy (Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) has been awarded $140,000 to explore the early stages of planet development through sophisticated 2D and 3D modelling. These models will be used to determine how rings of dust and gas around young stars, called protostellar disks, condense into structured complexes that promote planet formation. This project will train young researchers in advanced data acquisition and analysis techniques, while also uncovering the history of Earth and our solar system.

Amy Wu (Mechanical and Materials Engineering) has received $140,000 in funding to research fall prevention in Ontario’s healthcare system by investigating the stability of adults in real-world environments. Her Biomechanics x Robotics Lab (BxRL) aims to use this data to develop a trunk exoskeleton capable of detecting and mitigating falls in high-risk population. This project will provide advanced research opportunities for students in robotics and biomechanics, equipping them for leadership roles with Ontario’s growing technology industry. Furthermore, by preventing fall-related emergency room visits, this research will reduce healthcare costs, while significantly enhancing the well-being of adults in Ontario’s aging population.

Jianbing Ni (Electrical and Computer Engineering), , has received $125,000 in funding to build secure, privacy-preserving, and trustworthy edge-caching framework. This will facilitate privacy-preserving content placement, secure content delivery, and safe content usage schemes to prevent potential cyber-attacks on network access and information services. With this funding, the Ni Lab aims to bolster Ontario’s mobile network security and availability.

Aaron Shugar (Art History and Conservation) has secured $100,000 to establish the first state-of-the-art research laboratory in Ontario dedicated to developing advanced imaging techniques for the analysis of art and cultural heritage materials. By building an enriched research-based training environment, these funds will form a collaboration hub for Art Conservation students, fellows, and researchers.

Parvin Mousavi (Computing), , has received $75,000 in funds to build the next generation of clinical decision-making techniques in oncology. The Mousavi Lab aims to build computational tools to enhance AI diagnostic methods in cancer care and improve the tissue characterization capabilities of ultrasound devices. By increasing the efficiency and accuracy of cancer treatment, this project will significantly improve patient outcomes for Ontarians.

Learn more about the ERA and ORF on the .