Media

OTTAWA, November 29, 2011  —  International research at the University of Ottawa is growing even stronger with the recently launched Distinguished Visiting Researcher Program (DVRP), bringing top scientists and research from around the world to the University community.

The program was established by the International Research Office, led by François Carrier, and it aims to foster close collaborations between researchers at the University of Ottawa and prominent international researchers to tackle major projects at the University – all in step with its Destination 20/20 strategic plan, which focuses on internationalization, the student experience, bilingualism and research excellence. As international leaders in their field, the visiting scientists will also enrich the academic experience of students by sharing insights and expertise with them firsthand.

The program for 2011-12 includes the following distinguished scientists:

Professor Hermenegildo Garcia
Technical University of Valencia –Institute of Chemical Technology
Professor Garcia has extensive knowledge in catalysis and photocatalysis (use of solar energy) and focuses his work primarily on how these processes can be used in the quest for global sustainable development. He has published many articles in areas such as novel energy sources, catalytic photooxidations and photocatalytic water decontamination. During his tenure, Professor Garcia will be collaborating with uOttawa’s Department of Chemistry and its Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation (CCRI).

Professor Mark Lawson
Heriot-Watt University – Department of Mathematics
A world leader in his field, Professor Mark Lawson has expertise that covers a wide scope of areas in mathematics and its applications. His research at the University of Ottawa will integrate several areas, including logic and category theory, algebra, as well as automata theory – a subject of significant interest to computer scientists. Also known as an outstanding public lecturer, Professor Lawson will be involved in speaking events for the University of Ottawa student community.

Hans-Jürgen Lüsebrink
University of Saarbrücken – Germany
Professor Hans-Jürgen Lüsebrink is an internationally recognized scholar in the field of cultural history, particularly in the francophone literatures of Africa, Quebec and the Caribbean, in Franco-German relations, in French civilization and in conceptual history. Professor Lüsebrink, along with the Institute of Canadian Studies, the Centre for Research on French Canadian Culture and several other departments in the Faculty of Arts, will apply his extensive research on international Francophonie to the Canadian case.

Fethi Mansouri
Deakin University, Melbourne Australia
Researcher Fethi Mansouri is a leading expert in multiculturalism and intercultural relations whose body of work has provided benchmark accounts of the complexities of the migrant experience on the local, national and transnational fronts. As a visiting researcher, Professor Mansouri will collaborate with researchers from the Audiovisual Media Lab for the Study of Cultures and Societies, as well as the African Studies Research Laboratory. Students and the public will also have the opportunity to attend seminars on the issue of local governance and the management of multicultural spaces.

Peter Stuart Swain
Centre for Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, UK
Professsor Peter Swain has distinguished himself on a global scale in the system biology of biomechanical networks. His visit at the University of Ottawa will not only establish collaboration with the Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology and the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, but also include both a host of courses for graduate students and public lectures on leading-edge topics.

Linda Worrall
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Linda Worall is renowned the world over as an expert researcher in aphasia, a communication disability arising from brain disorders caused by strokes or traumatic brain injuries. She leads the Australia-wide Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) in Aphasia Rehabilitation. Her research activities at the University of Ottawa will include helping to prototype a research collaboration centre like the CCRE in Canada as well as piloting the development of a joint research program on communications-enhanced environments for aphasia patients.

Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip
Nottingham University, UK
Professor Yip is known across the globe for his broad expertise in the areas of religion, human rights, citizenship and diversity. During his fellowship at the University of Ottawa, he will participate in the Major Collaborative Research Initiative on Religion and Diversity led by Professor Lori Beaman and will provide mentorship opportunities to graduate students through exclusive research seminars and workshops, as well as public lectures.

More information on this program is available on the Office of International Research website.

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. It is an important stakeholder in the National Capital Region’s economic development.