For 17 consecutive years, the University of Waterloo has been recognized as Canada's top comprehensive research university - driven by a bold, multi-disciplinary approach and strong industry partnerships that turn ideas into impact.
Waterloo researchers are receiving more than $32 million to support research as part of a $1.3 billion Government of Canada announcement for research across Canada.
The funding announced for Waterloo researchers includes support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the Government of Canada's New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF).
This year, more than 100 Waterloo researchers from all six faculties were awarded funding through the NSERC Discovery research program, including:
- Anita Layton | Faculty of Mathematics - Understanding the effects of sex and age in electrolyte homeostasis: Modelling and analysis ($685,000 over five years)
- Brian Dixon | Faculty of Science - Antigen Presentation in Teleost Fishes ($480,000 over five years)
- Karim Sallaudin Karim | Faculty of Engineering - Radiation detectors and systems for spectral and phase contrast X-ray imaging ($450,000 over five years)
- Evan Risko | Faculty of Arts - Basic Processes in the Monitoring and Control of Cognition ($325,000 over five years)
- Brian Laird | Faculty of Health - Speciation, bioaccessibility, and new approach methods for metals in wild-harvested fish in northern environments ($325,000 over five years)
- Richard Petrone | Faculty of Environment - Vegetation change and water use in alpine ecosystems ($300,000 over five years)
The recent Government of Canada announcement was made by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health supporting more than 9,700 researchers and research projects across Canada.
Numerous researchers have also received funding under the following grants and programs:
Several Waterloo researchers received awards through the NFRF 2024 Exploration Competition, a Government of Canada program that supports high-risk, interdisciplinary projects with the potential to drive transformational innovation in areas with strong engineering and societal applications.
The recipients have demonstrated exceptional research leadership across engineering, natural sciences, health sciences and social sciences. With this federal government funding, Waterloo researchers are advancing bold ideas that will transform future societies, health, economies, technologies and the environment. Learn more about their research projects below.
Wendi Adair | Faculty of Arts
Understanding diversity cues and buffering social identity threat to improve representation, collaboration, and climate in Canada's diverse workplace
$258,291
Read on the Faculty of Arts website.
Jennifer Asanin Dean | Faculty of Environment
Immigration and small communities: Exploring regional place-based settlement initiatives in Ontario and their impact on immigrant and community wellbeing
$99,953
