UBC aquaculture research gets funding boost

Research into salmon aquaculture, clean drinking water, river ecosystems and wireless networks at the University of British Columbia received a $2.2 million boost in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The funding comes from NSERC’s Strategic Project Grants, supporting scientific partnerships that will help strengthen Canada’s economy, society and environment. The three-year investment will support UBC research projects led by Zoology Professor Colin Brauner, Chemical and Biological Engineering Professor Madjid Mohseni, Forest and Conservation Sciences Department Head John Richardson, and Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Vincent Wong. "The Strategic Project Grants support important partnerships between UBC researchers and industry, government and organizations," said John Hepburn, vice president, research and international at UBC. "NSERC’s continued support of these projects helps to strengthen science, industry and policy in Canada." Brauner is investigating optimal rearing conditions for salmon growth in recirculating aquaculture systems. The $605,252 project involves industry and provincial government partners. UBC’s four Strategic Project Grants were among 78 programs to receive funding totalling $38 million, announced today by the Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology) in New Brunswick.