Dalhousie researchers Rob Jamieson (Department of Civil and Resource Engineering) and Alison Thompson (Department of Chemistry) have received $3.3 million dollars from the Government of Canada to develop the skills needed to take research from idea to application.
The Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program, funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), improves the mentoring of, and training environment for, the Canadian researchers of tomorrow by improving areas such as communication, collaboration and professional skills; and providing experience relevant to both academic and non-academic research environments.
Dalhousie has had some great success when it comes to CREATE grants, securing a number of new programs since 2012 (TOSST, TRIBE, and STEWARD are a few examples). Though all the programs are unique, they share several features. All involve interdisciplinary research and education, connecting faculty and students from across departments and disciplines. They are based around industry application and collaboration, connecting Dal research with international companies, local start-ups, and businesses of all sizes in between. And their educational programs and internships train students in business planning, entrepreneurship and product development.
“The CREATE projects being led by Dr. Jamieson and Dr. Thompson are incredibly innovative and will provide the next generation of researchers with the skills and training they need bridge the gap between science and technology, and between research and application,” says Dr. Alice Aiken, Vice President Research at Dalhousie University.
The official funding announcement was made on Monday, July 16, by The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport at the Université de Sherbrooke.
Meeting the demands of a new era
We have currently entered into a new era of environmental restoration, with thousands of large scale restoration efforts currently underway. Canadian companies are in a unique position to take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the restoration economy, including developing advanced skills and technologies, and fostering entrepreneurial pursuits.
Led by Dr. Rob Jamieson (right), a professor in Dal’s Department of Civil and 
Resource Engineering, the new ASPIRE (Aquatic Systems Professional and Industrial training for the Restoration Economy) program will be the sole CREATE training program in Canada that focuses on providing technical and professional training in the area of aquatic ecosystem restoration. This innovative program will capitalize and build upon Dal’s internationally recognized strength in water resources and take advantage of large-scale restoration projects being undertaken in Atlantic Canada.
“Our multi-disciplinary team of students, faculty and industrial partners will be tackling some of the most challenging issues surrounding the remediation of impaired lakes, rivers, and wetlands,” says Dr. Jamieson. “At the same time our students will receive specialized training in innovation, leadership and business development that will position them to be future leaders in the restoration economy.”
The program has been specifically designed to meet the needs of private sector companies (engineering consulting firms, restoration contractors, environmental technology development companies) that are trying to develop and expand upon business opportunities in the restoration economy. A suite of 16 companies, ranging from large, multi-national consulting firms to start-up technology development companies, will be providing internships for all ASPIRE students.
Other key elements include new graduate courses focused on professional skills development and entrepreneurship, an annual field school, seminars, symposiums and women in STEM events.
The overall goal of the ASPIRE training program is to generate graduates with established industry networks and unique skills that can be marketed worldwide.
Building a portfolio of experiences and expertise
Naturally occurring bioactives are chemicals produced by living organisms and are found everywhere there is life on earth. The types and complexities of Nature’s chemicals greatly exceed those invented by mankind, and this vast structural diversity has given rise to a myriad of applications (including functional materials, pesticides and lifesaving medicines.)
Led by Dr. Alison Thompson (below), a Faculty of Science Killam Professor, the NSERC CREATE Training Program in BioActives will empower trainees with research excellence skills to discover and develop new bioactive chemicals for unmet needs.
“This NSERC support will enable trainees working with bioactive chemical entities to target research excellence whilst also developing professional skills and workplace-relevant insight,” says Dr. Thompson. “Overall, research trainees will graduate with the skills needed to source, isolate, characterize, synthesize and develop chemical entities that have potential across the myriad of applications where either controlled interaction with a biological system or production of a functional material is crucial.”
The training program is founded on four inter-connected pillars recognizing research excellence, industry experience, career research skills, and professional skills and business acumen. Using this foundation, trainees will each build a “portfolio of experiences and expertise” to equip them for careers in industry, government and private sectors, including start-up and entrepreneurship.
Learn more about the CREATE program on the NSERC website.