University of Alberta Proposals

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Arctic Resources
Diamonds are now the most important natural resource in Canada's Arctic, with production reaching $2 billion annually. Establishing a Chair dedicated to research into diamonds, their volcanic host rocks and their mantle sources would provide the knowledge base for new, more efficient exploration programs in Canada's North. Integrating isotopic studies with geophysical surveys will revolutionize our understanding of the origin, history and spatial extent of the diamond-bearing lithospheric mantle beneath Canada's ancient cratons. The University of Alberta, with its traditional focus on resource geoscience and its internationally leading diamond-kimberlite group, is the ideal host institution for this proposed Chair.

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Diabetes
Diabetes has emerged as one of the most troublesome chronic diseases. It is currently on course to afflict nearly one in 10 Canadians. Concepts about diabetes are rapidly evolving, but a key priority is to develop a fundamental understanding of how insulin-producing cells function within the pancreas. A Chair in diabetes focusing on islet cell biology would form an apex for different research efforts to develop approaches to preserve, regenerate and transplant insulin-producing cells to treat the disease. This Chair would strategically augment Canada's place at the forefront of new discoveries and treatment of diabetes.

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Nano-Enabled Biomaterials
Canada needs to develop new technologies to replace fossil hydrocarbons with renewable resources as the feed for our chemical, polymer and materials industries. Nanotechnology will let us create biomaterials in a transformative way, using agricultural, forestry or municipal waste sources. This Chair would lead to value-added functional biomaterials that would clean water, make automobiles lighter, improve health, generate energy, and sense the world around us. These materials would not produce greenhouse gases and would be biodegradable and recyclable. These outcomes would rejuvenate rural economies and create new commercial opportunities for Canada.

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Oil Sands Molecular Engineering
To fully realize the potential of Canada's oil sands we need to reduce their environmental impact, maximize their yield of quality products, and reduce their operating costs. The University of Alberta is the pre-eminent organization for oil sands research. This Chair presents an opportunity for the CERC program to build on this world-class expertise by attracting an international expert to develop a new paradigm for oil sands research based on molecular engineering. The goal is to achieve breakthroughs in processing technology that would result in dramatic reductions in water use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Virology
Simple RNA viruses pose one of the greatest threats to human health and security, yet attempts to curb their spread have been thwarted by vaccine failures and evolving drug resistance. The Chair in Virology would drive development of a new approach for discovering antiviral drugs. Using sophisticated new methods, they would map how viruses interact with cells and use this knowledge to identify new drug targets or other interventional strategies. Investment in this Chair would make Canada a world leader in virus research.

For more information, contact:

University of Alberta
c/o Dr. Carl G. Amrhein
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6G 2R3
Telephone: 780-492-3443
Email: carl.amrhein@ualberta.ca
www.careers.ualberta.ca/competition.aspx?id=A10318843