A new Canada Research Chair was announced by the Hon. Gary Goodyear today for Carleton University, while another chair was renewed. Rowan Thomson is Canada Research Chair in Radiotherapy Physics, and Alex Ellery continues his Canada Research Chair in Space Robotics and Space Technology.
“Our government is committed to attracting and retaining the world’s best and brightest researchers, supporting innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening our economy,” said Minister of State Goodyear. “By investing in programs such as the Canada Research Chairs, we are fostering cutting-edge research and the generation of new innovations for the marketplace, which will benefit Canadians.”
Carleton’s new funding as part of the Canada Research Chair program, $1 million over five years, will allow its researchers to do important work on radiotherapy and space robotics. Today’s announcement brings the total number of Canada Research Chairs at Carleton to 24.
Rowan Thomson – Canada Research Chair in Radiotherapy Physics
Thomson is exploring the interactions of radiation with matter through the use of computational and theoretical techniques. Forty percent of Canadians will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Although many cancer patients undergo radiotherapy, fundamental questions remain about the interactions of radiation with matter and radiation dosimetry, the measurement of the radiation dose in tissue from exposure to radiation.
Thomson has already helped to develop BrachyDose, a fast and accurate simulation code for brachytherapy. Brachytherapy is a widely-used radiotherapy treatment, in which radioactive sources are placed next to or inside a tumour. However, accurate calculations of doses have long been a challenge and BrachyDose is advancing brachytherapy dosimetry. It is being deployed to cancer centres around the world.
Her work will allow for more accurate planning and evaluation of radiotherapy treatments and will ultimately lead to better cancer treatments. Her research will also advance knowledge of radiation physics and has implications in fields that involve radiation, such as diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine.
Alex Ellery – Canada Research Chair in Space Robotics and Space Technology
Ellery works on space robotics, satellite design, the design and analysis of planetary rovers and more. Using laboratory equipment to simulate space environments, he develops techniques to ensure that robots can function effectively in harsh conditions at zero or low gravity environments, out of reach of human operators, and too far away to remotely control via radio links such as conditions that exist on the surface of Mars.
He has worked with the European Space Agency on problems of space-based robotics, and headed a team of Carleton students and researchers that designed the Kapvik micro-rover chassis for the Canadian Space Agency. He was first confirmed as a Canada Research Chair in 2007.
In total, the Government of Canada will provide $90.6 million in support to 120 newly awarded and renewed Canada Research Chairs. The research, which will be conducted at 39 Canadian institutions, has potential benefits for Canadians and their families, businesses, practitioners and policy-makers. Of this total, 19 researchers have been recruited from abroad, including 10 Canadians returning to work in their home country—demonstrating the success of the program in attracting and supporting research excellence in Canada.
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For more information:
Chris Cline
Media Relations Co-ordinator
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext. 1391|
christopher_cline@carleton.ca