Carleton University’s Natalina Salmaso, a faculty member in the Department of Neuroscience, has been named Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Behavioral Neurobiology, the Honourable Ed Holder, minister of state (Science and Technology), announced today.
Carleton’s Winnie Ye, an associate professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Design, has been renewed as a CRC. Ye holds the CRC in in Nano-scale IC Design for Reliable Opto-Electronics and Sensors.
Carleton is now home to 24 CRCs in total.
Key Points:
Salmaso’s Research
- Analyzes behavioural, biological and molecular factors that influence and improve cognitive and emotional outcomes among those with developmentally delayed or diminished neurological capability and mental illnesses.
- This research is important because while advanced medicine has improved the survival rate among prematurely born children, the aged and people with brain injuries, their quality of life remains below average and plagued with psychiatric and neurological problems.
- Salmaso focuses her studies on a type of cell in the brain “astrocytes” that are important for maintaining brain function under normal conditions and healing in conditions of injury or disease.
- A stimulating learning environment can improve developmental and cognitive disabilities, at least in part through changes in astrocytes, although the neurological and biological mechanisms are not yet understood.
- Research into the underpinnings of how astrocytes can improve brain function will likely provide therapies to improve cognitive impairment.
- Neurobiological research could lead to improved methods and treatment for the aging and injured brain.
Ye’s Research
- Designs and fabricates nano-scale integrated circuits for reliable optoelectronics, which is the study and application of electronic devices that source, detect and control light.
- Develops affordable and multifunctional biosensor systems.
- Develop, design and fabricate nanometer-sized silicon photonic devices for switches and multiplexers in telecommunication applications.
- Develop and fabricate next-generation silicon-based solar cells.
Quotes
“Results from these studies will further help us to understand the relationship between environmental events during development, vulnerability to anxiety disorders and the potential for treatment. Much more work is needed but we want to find answers that will be beneficial to the mental health profession in years to come.”- Salmaso
“We know that environmental enrichment through social, behavioral and other complex tasks can improve cognitive impairment in young children. Our experiments will build a data set to examine the responsiveness of astroglial cells – which aid in development, regeneration and repair of neurons – to environmental stimuli in the context of psychiatric illness.”-Salmaso
“Silicon photonics helped to power a new era of telecommunications and computer engineering through development of innovative switches and routers. Now these technologies are moving into new frontiers with a variety of applications in areas such as molecular medicine, environmental monitoring and renewable energy.”-Ye
“Carleton attracts the very best internationally renowned researchers who are committed to innovation, creativity and addressing critical real-world problems across disciplines. Congratulations to our newest CRC, Natalina Salmaso, and to Winnie Ye for her renewal.”- Kimberly Matheson, vice-president (Research & International)
“Our government is committed to science, technology and innovation to improve our quality of life and create new jobs and opportunities for Canadians. Our government’s Canada Research Chairs Program develops, attracts and retains top researcher talent in Canada whose research, in turn, creates long-term social and economic benefits while training the next generation of students and researchers in Canada.” – Ed Holder, minister of state (Science and Technology)
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