Dr. Howard and Dr. Ens’ research teams were awarded funding for their investigation into key cellular signals and development of next-generation digital information techniques, respectively.
Congratulations to Associate Professor Dr. Perry Howard and Associate Professor Dr. Barrett Ens—both in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science—who were awarded funding through the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
Dr. Howard and his team in the Department of Biology are establishing a new lab to better investigate a “quality-control system” inside human cells that plays an important role in the development of several diseases, including diabetes and many types of cancer. This research has the potential to uncover the ways this critical cellular system may be disrupted during stress and aging.
Dr. Ens and his team in the Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics are developing cutting-edge ways to seamlessly embed digital information into our physical surroundings and everyday objects. These changes are poised to transform the ways we interact with digital content across all areas of our lives—from home and office spaces to healthcare and industrial settings.
Combined, the two teams were awarded $240,000. This ongoing research at UBCO is building the infrastructure and knowledge necessary to prevent and treat some of the most common diseases, as well as lead the way in the development of next-generation technologies that could revolutionize the ways we live and work.
The funding was part of more than $118 million in support for Canadian research announced today by CFI. A total of 31 projects across UBC were awarded funding.