Media

OTTAWA, July 27, 2011  —  The University of Ottawa is proud to announce the appointment of six new research chairs, enhancing the University’s leadership in a broad range of fields including health sciences and natural and social sciences, as well fulfilling the University’s commitment to promote the Francophonie across Canada and around the world.

The research chairs are awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in research and training by University professors.

“These six professors are among the many leading experts who have chosen the University of Ottawa to carry out high-impact research and actively participate in the training of the next generation of leaders,” said Mona Nemer, vice-president, research at the University of Ottawa. “We are proud to recognize their commitment to their field and to being mentors in their classrooms.”

The six University Research Chairs are:

Steffany Bennett — Faculty of Medicine
University Chair in Neurolipidomics
Steffany Bennett was recruited to the University of Ottawa in 1999 and is an expert in systems neurolipidomics at the Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology. By focussing on changes in brain lipid metabolism that contribute to brain injury in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and stroke, Professor Bennett’s research could potentially tackle these devastating diseases as well as discover a way to promote changes that would contribute to neuroregeneration.

Deryn Fogg — Faculty of Science
University Research Chair in Homogenous Catalysis
Since her 1997 appointment to the faculty of the University of Ottawa, Deryn Fogg has achieved international recognition in key areas of homogeneous catalysis at the forefront of current efforts in sustainable synthesis. Her research explores energy and resource-frugal ways to build the molecules and materials that enable today’s advanced technologies.

André Longtin — Faculty of Science
University Research Chair in Neurophysics
André Longtin explores how the brain detects novel stimuli and represents memories, such as those of temporal sequences. His work aims to understand how the brain relies on both deterministic and random processes to convey, store and retrieve information. His research has the potential to break new ground at the interface of physics, biology and medicine, with applications ranging from prosthetics to computing architectures.

Martin Meunier — Faculty of Social Sciences
Research Chair in Canadian Francophonie
Martin Meunier’s proposed research will explore shifting identities and cultural changes, in Quebec as well as the rest of Canadian francophonie using a comparative and international methodology. This study, the first of it’s kind at the University of Ottawa, will build a synergy within other research communities who examine cultural changes affecting Quebec as well other parts of Canada.

Marie-Claude Thifault — Faculty of Health Sciences
Research Chair in Canadian Francophonie
Marie-Claude Thifault, a historian of psychiatric health in Quebec and other parts of Canada, will focus her research on the impact of psychiatric deinstitutionalization on francophone minority communities, particularly in Eastern Ontario, from the early 20th century to today. This research will help bring us closer to a clearer understanding of the history of reintegration as experienced by francophone communities in Canada.

Vance Trudeau — Faculty of Science
University Research Chair in Neuroendocrinology
Vance Trudeau is known worldwide for his work on the neurobiology of reproduction and growth using fish and frogs as models. His proposed research will build on his recent discoveries in the field of hormonal control of sexual development in frogs. His research will have wider implications for the reproductive health of other beings, including humans.

The University of Ottawa is committed to research excellence and encourages an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge creation, which attracts the best academic talent from across Canada and around the world.