Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London West, welcomed to
The University of Western Ontario Dr. Adrian Owen, one of 19
world-renowned researchers who have chosen to pursue their
leading-edge research at universities across Canada. The event
followed the announcement of the recipients of the Canada
Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program made earlier today at
the University of Toronto by the Honourable Tony Clement,
Minister of Industry.
"The Government of Canada's investments in the Canada
Excellence Research Chairs will benefit all Londoners," said Mr.
Holder.
For each Chair, universities will receive up to $10 million
over seven years to support chairholders and their research
teams in undertaking ambitious research programs. The complete
list of chairholders, including the 13 universities where they
will be working, is available on the CERC website (www.cerc.gc.ca/cpch-pctc-eng.shtml).
Dr. Owen, Canada Excellence Research Chairholder in Cognitive
Neuroscience and Imaging, is addressing one of the most
challenging topics in clinical medicine — residual brain
function in patients that are non-responsive after suffering a
severe brain injury. Dr. Owen will also study the cognitive
deficits in patients suffering from diseases such as
Parkinson's, Huntington's, Alzheimer's and amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS). His work will improve health care delivery for
brain-injured patients across Canada, affecting diagnosis and
clinical care, medical ethics, and medical and legal
decision-making about life after severe brain injury.
"Western is the place to be for advanced neuroscience
research," said Dr. Owen. "The opportunity to work closely with
world-class colleagues, the best equipment available and to have
patients nearby that my work can help drew me to London and will
make it easier for me to achieve my research objectives — and
push the envelope even further."
"The arrival of these globally respected researchers will
have multiple benefits for Canada," said Dr. Chad Gaffield,
President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
of Canada and Chair of the Tri-Agency Steering Committee.
"Research chairs of this calibre working together with other
researchers, students and post-doctoral fellows already in
Canada will create meaningful new opportunities."
The CERC program was announced in Budget 2008 as part of the
government's Science and Technology Strategy to help build
expertise in strategic areas. Research conducted by the
chairholders will focus on the areas of environmental sciences
and technologies, natural resources and energy, health and
related life sciences and technologies, and information and
communications technologies.
"Dr. Owen's recruitment further strengthens an established
core of scientists at Western and the Robarts Research Institute
who have established a global reputation for excellence and
major breakthroughs in cognitive neuroscience and imaging," said
Dr. Amit Chakma, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University
of Western Ontario. "This hire represents a strategic investment
not only in one of the absolute top scientists in his field, but
also in Canada's firm commitment to maintain a leadership role
in research, education and health."
The CERC program is administered jointly by Canada's three
research granting agencies: the Social Sciences and Humanities
Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
For more information, visit the CERC website (www.cerc.gc.ca).
