April 2004




McMaster Nuclear Reactor celebrates 45 years
McMaster University’s Nuclear Reactor marked its 45th anniversary this month, looking back on nearly a half-century of groundbreaking research. The reactor was officially opened on April 4, 1959 by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, the first university-based research reactor in the British Commonwealth. It’s the only Canadian medium flux reactor in a university environment. It is used for neutron beam experiments, isotope production, neutron activation research and neutron radiography research. It is also an educational tool for students in engineering, science and health, and radiation physics. "McMaster is very fortunate to have this facility because we can do so much for people, both here and worldwide," says Mike Butler, manager of reactor operations. "We are conducting research that is helping revolutionize cancer therapies, it is helping date artifacts, and it provides opportunities for academics around the world that they wouldn’t otherwise have."

New head of research at UOIT
Kamiel Gabriel, former Associate Dean of Engineering (Graduate Studies, Research & Extension) at the University of Saskatchewan, is now head of research at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). Fresh from a multi-million dollar University of Saskatchewan project in microgravity research, Dr. Gabriel began as the UOIT’s Associate Provost, Research and Graduate Programs on April 1. He will liaise with granting councils, government agencies and industrial partners, assist faculty in attracting research funding, and head the development of graduate programs. He says he is eager to lay the foundations for strategic research initiatives for UOIT. “This university has attracted talented faculty from across Ontario, Canada and the world.” Dr. Gabriel has B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Alexandria, a MBA in International Business Studies from the University of Saskatchewan, a PhD in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from the University of Manitoba, and a diploma in Space Science from the International Space University, Strasbourg, France.

Centres of Excellence now merged
Ontario’s four Centres of Excellence officially merged into one entity on April 1, and emerged as the new Ontario Centres of Excellence Inc. - a not-for-profit, member-based corporation. “This is a significant turning point, enabling OCE to leverage the tremendous opportunities available as a united entity and continue to build upon a long-standing, strong Ontario tradition,“ said Donald Hathaway, President & CEO.” The Ontario Centres of Excellence were founded in 1987, including Communications and Information Technology Ontario (CITO), the Centre for Research in Earth and Space Technology (CRESTech), Materials and Manufacturing Ontario (MMO), and Photonics Research Ontario (PRO). Their purpose is to promote economic development through directed research, commercialization of technology and training for highly qualified personnel. The Centres are recognized as among the few publicly funded institutions that systematically integrate and manage connections from university to marketplace, to ensure the successful application of innovative science and technology to profitable new businesses.

New Research Chairs include rising stars
Of the $138.3 million announced for 137 new Canada Research Chairs earlier this month, $46.6 million was allocated to 10 Ontario institutions, including Tier II chairs awarded to younger researchers. That includes rising stars such as Professor Tom Chau, assistant professor at the University of Toronto Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering and a researcher at the Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre. His funding is for research into "intelligent" tools for the rehabilitation of children with severe and multiple disabilities. This latest round of investments includes $121.6 million from the CRC Program with an additional $16.7 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to provide the infrastructure support for chair-holders to carry out their research. Of the 137 new Chairs, 41 per cent are coming from abroad, either as returning expatriates or as international researchers coming to Canada for the first time. Some 63 universities now host Canada Research Chairs, including 17 in Ontario. To date, total investment to Ontario amounts to $436.7 million and 454 Chairs, or 61 per cent of the national total. The UofT is the single largest recipient in this round, with 25 projects and just over $26 million.


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