It was a bit of a homecoming for Mario Pinto, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s (NSERC) new president, when he was at Dal earlier this month. He told a group of Dal’s NSERC-funded researchers that he felt nostalgic when he walked past the Chemistry Building. Dr. Pinto has fond memories of the summers he studied there as part of graduate studies at Queen’s.
Dr. Pinto, who became NSERC president on November 17, was on campus to see some of Dal’s NSERC-funded research in action. His visit included touring the Centre for Water Resources Studies, the Ocean Tracking Network, the Materials for Energy Storage Lab and the Marine Microbial Genomics and Biogeochemistry Lab.
NSERC investment has helped Julie LaRoche, Biology professor and NSERC Canada Research Chair in Marine Microbial Genomics and Biogeochemistry, build her team of highly qualified personnel and further her research.
“NSERC programs give a lot to researchers,” said Dr. LaRoche. “For instance Discovery Grants provide a lot of freedom to explore new ideas and the CREATE program brings together researchers and students with a common interest, building relationships that will last for years.”
Dr. Pinto also met with a group of Dal’s NSERC-funded researchers to share his vision for NSERC and have an open discussion with them. During the discussion, Dr. Pinto listened to the topics that were on researchers’ minds and highlighted the important role research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics plays in Canada.
