UBC Okanagan researchers received a boost today as the Government of BC announced nearly $750,000 in infrastructure support for research projects on campus.
The funds come as part of the latest round of BC Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF) awards.
Two UBCO researchers from the School of Engineering received support for their projects.
Assistant Professor Dr. Lisa Tobber received infrastructure funding to research the capacity of building components, substructures and sub-assemblies to resist earthquakes and other destructive forces like wind loads. The project will help increase understanding of the behavior of buildings in BC and provide engineers with data needed for the rehabilitation of structures to avoid any substantial damages due to potential natural disasters.
Dr. Alyse Kiesser, also an Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering, received support for research infrastructure dedicated to investigating the impacts of climate change on the resilient properties of microbial systems, the results of which will contribute to estimations of the impact of climate change on microbial carbon storage, greenhouse gas production and consumption.
“At UBC Okanagan, our researchers are driving projects that have direct implications for the lives of those in BC’s Interior and far beyond,” said Dr. Lesley Cormack, Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UBC Okanagan. “This round of support from the BCKDF is pivotal in bolstering our research endeavours, from creating resilient infrastructure to withstand natural disasters to paving the way for greener, sustainable solutions for the future. We are immensely grateful to the provincial government for supporting the transformative work happening on our campus.”
A combined $1.5 million in funding was announced for seven research projects across UBC, and a total of $2.5 million in infrastructure for 16 research projects at five BC universities in the latest round of BCKDF support.
Read the announcement.