News
2019
March
Remarkable leaders: Saluting new and established researchers for exceptional contributions
Memorial recognized some of its newest outstanding research leaders and emerging innovators during a celebration recently.
'Chemical' acclaim: Researcher honoured for pioneering scientific contributions
A chemistry professor at Memorial is “excited and surprised” to be named the 2019 recipient of the Canadian Green Chemistry and Engineering Award (Individual Winner), presented by the Chemical Institute of Canada. Dr. Fran Kerton is the second female and the only person outside of Ontario and Quebec to receive the honour.
Music professor receives international recognition for creative excellence
An assistant professor in the School of Music is among a roster of worldwide performers recently named a Buffet Crampon Artist.
Field of leaders: Federal investment of nearly $600,000 in high-tech research labs and equipment
New federal funding will help expand Memorial’s research infrastructure and attract the best and brightest talent to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Projects led by teams in the Faculty of Science are receiving nearly $600,000 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).
International researchers working to solve marine plastic pollution
Three visiting international researchers at Memorial are working to come up with new ways to tackle plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.
Energize and enhance: Federal government celebrates investment for health-related research
Innovative research that’s helping address health-care challenges and improving health outcomes for Canadians was front and centre on March 12 as the federal government celebrated a nearly $3.7-million investment for Memorial-led studies.
High risk, high reward: Emerging health researchers receive grants to advance brain studies
Two Memorial researchers are being recognized for their transformative research to advance the understanding of the brain, in illness or health.
Advancing accessibility: Student contest turning student-led research ideas into reality
Memorial students are encouraged to submit their innovative ideas to a national contest aimed at making communities more accessible.
Expanding horizons: Canadian university consortium growing partnerships with Latin America
A new funding agreement aims to increase student mobility and research collaborations between Latin America and a group of Canadian universities, including Memorial.
February
'Essential' support: Insight into post-traumatic stress injuries thanks to federal investment
“Unimaginable.”
That’s how Dr. Rose Ricciardelli sums up the news that not one, but seven, projects she’s associated with have secured new investments from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to help advance research on post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) in public safety personnel.
$16-million investment focuses on climate change, coastal communities
The Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) has launched its next phase of ocean research, with a plan to invest approximately $16 million in projects that will examine climate change and how changes to the North Atlantic impact coastal communities.
One-of-a-kind: Connecting to Labrador roots while helping lead critical marine research
It’s an opportunity most undergrads never get. Little wonder, then, that Natasha Healey jumped at the chance to help run one of Memorial’s most progressive science labs – one of only two in Canada and one of four such facilities in North America.
Honouring excellence: John Lewis Paton award deadline April 1
Nominations are open for Memorial’s most prestigious faculty award -- the John Lewis Paton Distinguished University Professorship.
The changing sea: Discovering deep Atlantic currents in international ocean study
After an extensive multi-year study, researchers have some surprising insight into the critical role the Atlantic Ocean plays in regulating the Earth’s climate. Dr. Brad deYoung, professor, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Faculty of Science, is the only Memorial scientist part of the international study.
Bold and bright: Next generation of social scientists and humanities researchers secure federal funding
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada is investing a total of $1,314,178 into studies led by early career and emerging researchers at Memorial.
Transformative investment: Health-related studies benefit from nearly $3.7-million federal investment
Research ranging from how to treat fatal neurodegenerative diseases to better understanding the affects of type 2 diabetes are among six critical health-related studies receiving nearly $3.7 million in new funding.
January
No looking back: How a research breakthrough is giving back control -- and hope -- to MS patients
Over the years, Jennifer Archer watched as her mother and her grandmother succumbed to the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). So when she, too, was diagnosed with the disease 30 years ago, she knew what her fate would be. Or, at least she thought she did. Then Ms. Archer met Dr. Michelle Ploughman and her team at Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine.
2018
December
Passionate researchers use 3D printing technology to advance health care
A group of researchers is using cutting-edge technology to provide critical training to health professionals at home and abroad.
Research in review 2018: Accomplishments and achievements round out another positive year
From a big jump in research funding to a big role in a national marketing campaign, 2018 marked an incredible 12 months for scholarship, discoveries and innovation at Memorial.
November
A Memorial first: Engineer receives international prize for maritime research
A Memorial expert specializing in Arctic offshore engineering is the first Canadian to receive a prestigious international prize for maritime research.
Dr. Claude Daley, associate dean (research) and professor, Department of Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, is this year’s recipient of the Dr. Kenneth S. M. Davidson Medal, presented by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME).
Opening doors: Research on Fogo Island ferries launches recent graduate's research career
A recent Memorial alumnus whose research examined public infrastructure in rural N.L. says his training will open doors for him well into the future.
Prestigious posts: Canada Research Chair appointments amplify Memorial's cutting-edge research reputation
A $2.4-million investment by the Government of Canada for three new Canada Research Chairs will accelerate Memorial’s international reputation for innovative multidisciplinary research benefiting Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond.
Inspiring others: Researcher named national leader for scientific pursuits, community activism
Dr. Max Liboiron has received a national honour for her leading-edge research and community engagement.
October
Big jump: Research funding increases as university focuses on growing worldwide reputation
Memorial is the national leader among Canada’s medical universities when it comes to corporate research income growth over a five-year period. That’s according to new data released on Oct. 25. Research Infosource Inc. states that from fiscal years 2013-17, Memorial ranked No. 1 in growth, with an increase of 160.2 per cent.
Infusion for innovation: Significant federal investment fuels discovery research across disciplines
Research ranging from developing sustainable road pavements for harsh Canadian climates to evolutionary drivers of variation in bat migration are among more than 60 projects receiving roughly $8.8 million from the Government of Canada.
August
New name: Research unit gets a new title and expands its services
An office within the vice-president (research) portfolio has been retitled to better reflect the services and oversight it provides to the Memorial community and the important role it plays in pan-university research projects. CREAIT, CRC and CFI Services (CCCS) is now known as Strategic Institutional Research Initiatives (SIRI).
July
How one Memorial couple is using drones to discover archaeological dig sites
Research is a way of life for Memorial University couple Amanda Crompton and Marc Bolli.
Emerging science researchers net nearly $300,000 in lucrative federal funding
Black holes and green chemistry are the areas of focus of two early-career researchers receiving prominent academic awards totaling nearly $300,000.
Geneticist named an officer of the Order of Canada
An Honorary Research Professor in the Faculty of Medicine has been named an officer of the Order of Canada.
June
Researchers studying how the hepatitis C virus kills liver cells
According to new guidelines published by the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver, roughly 250,000 Canadians are believed to have contracted the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
However, 40-70 per cent are not aware they’re infected.
Favourable scores: Memorial makes considerable gains in global universities rankings
Memorial University improved its global score among two of the most widely observed rankings of world-wide universities.
World-renowned Indigenous musicians to explore improvisation as model for change
Memorial is set to welcome the Norwegian composer who penned the choral opening of the Oscar-winning film Frozen and a Grammy-nominated Mohawk cellist as part of an international conference. The Indigenous Improvisation Colloquium takes place July 4-5 on the St. John’s campus.
Combating corrosion: International experts convening in St. John's to solve offshore challenges
Researchers and industry are partnering for a workshop and research symposium with the aim of saving billions of dollars for the world’s oil and gas industries.