Three new Canada Research Chairs (CRC) at Concordia are advancing research tied to some of today's most pressing scientific and societal challenges - from building cleaner energy systems to preventing neurodegeneration and understanding how genes and environments shape human health.
The appointments are part of a federal investment announced last week by the Government of Canada to support new and renewed Canada Research Chairs across the country. Concordia researchers will receive more than $3.4 million through the CRC Program and the Canada Foundation for Innovation's John R. Evans Leaders Fund to support both research and specialized infrastructure.
"These appointments reflect the strength and ambition of Concordia's research community," says Tim Evans, vice-president of research, innovation and impact at Concordia. "From accelerating the transition to cleaner energy to improving brain health and advancing computational genomics, these researchers are tackling challenges that will shape Canada's future while training the next generation of scientific leaders."
Advancing clean energy through electrochemistry
Elena Baranova, professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering in the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, has been named Canada Research Chair in Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage.
Her research focuses on developing cleaner and more affordable electrochemical systems for green hydrogen production, energy storage and sustainable fuels. The program will develop high-performance electrocatalysts made from earth-abundant materials while advancing technologies such as water electrolysis and biomass conversion.
The funding will also help establish a new facility for electrochemical energy conversion and storage at Concordia.
Studying how active aging can protect brain health
Nárlon Cássio Boa Sorte Silva, assistant professor in the Department of Health, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology in the School of Health and the Faculty of Arts and Science, has been appointed Canada Research Chair in Applied Physiology of Healthy and Active Aging.
His research examines how physical activity and exercise influence brain health during midlife, a critical period for preventing dementia and neurodegeneration later in life.
Using advanced neuroimaging and AI-driven analysis, Boa Sorte Silva's team will study how exercise may help detect or slow early neurodegenerative changes, particularly among people with cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors linked to dementia.
The research will also focus on ethnically and racially diverse populations that remain underrepresented in brain health studies. The project will also able acquire specialized equipment supporting physiological monitoring and physical activity tracking thanks to the funding.
Exploring how genes and environments interact
Marie-Julie Favé, assistant professor in the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Arts and Science, has been named Canada Research Chair in Computational Genomics.
Favé studies how environmental factors interact with genetic differences to influence health, disease risk and biological resilience across populations.
Her research combines computational genomics, multi-omics data and advanced biological models to better understand how genes respond to environmental stressors and why some individuals or populations may be more vulnerable to disease than others.
Together, the three new Canada Research Chairs reinforce Concordia's commitment to interdisciplinary research addressing major challenges in health, sustainability and technology.
Meet Concordia's research chairs.
Explore the funding opportunities available for Concordia researchers.
