NDP MLA Rankin says grants will support scientific research projects at the University of Victoria

Posted in:

VICTORIA – New Democrat MLA Murray Rankin says provincial funding will support innovative and life-changing research at the University of Victoria.

“UVic has long been a Canadian leader in innovative and groundbreaking research,” said Murray Rankin, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head. “This funding will help students and researchers learn more about rare cancer therapies, climate change, and ecological weather responses to change, which will help our province address these crucial challenges.”

At the University of Victoria, the following projects are receiving funding, for a total of $2,100,000 in funding:

  • Environmental Simulation Facility – Climate Change Impact on Plant Health (ESF-PH)
    • $1,250,000 (researchers: Juergen Ehlting & Peter Constabel)
  • Ecocosms and Mesocosms jointly Predict Ocean Weather and Ecological Response (EMPOWER)
    • $500,000 (multi-B.C. institution project; partner B.C. researchers: Julia Baum & Amanda Bates -UVIC; lead B.C. researcher: Mary O’Connor – UBC)
  • TRaC: Therapies for Rare Cancers
    • $350,000 (multi-B.C. institution project; partner researcher: Jennifer Cobb – UVIC; lead B.C. researcher: Natalie Strynadka -UBC)

These grants are provided through the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund, which helps grow the economy by improving B.C.’s productivity and competitiveness. This year, the provincial government is providing more than $52 million to support infrastructure for 25 research projects at five post-secondary institutions.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/30603