McElroy has been named NSERC/ABB/CSA Industrial Research Chair (IRC) in Atmospheric Remote Sounding. The research chair is funded by NSERC, space technology firm ABB Bomem Inc., and the Canadian Space Agency. It will be based in 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Science & Engineering, where McElroy has been appointed as a professor of earth and space science.

There will be a formal announcement of the new research chair today and as part of the event, McElroy (PhD '85) will deliver a public lecture titled, "Ozone Science: From Discovery to Recovery".聽The lecture will take place at 2:30pm today in 519 91亚色 Research Tower.聽

Above: 91亚色 earth and space science Professor Tom McElroy

The industrial research chair聽will support an innovative research program in advanced instrumentation development and its application to ground-based, satellite and airborne measurement of atmospheric composition. The five-year position will also assist 91亚色 in establishing and strengthening industrial partnerships that will provide opportunities for students from 91亚色 to experience enhanced training and exposure to research challenges with industrial applications.

"With this IRC, I have been given a wonderful opportunity to share the knowledge I have gained from participating in several space projects, numerous aircraft missions and dozens of high-altitude balloon flights," said McElroy. "This kind of research is what prepared me for my long and satisfying career and I hope that I can help 91亚色 students enjoy the same satisfaction and success in theirs."

McElroy, who recently left Environment Canada after 36 years, headed up the Space Experiments Section in the Air Quality Directorate of the Atmospheric Environment Service. He has received an international research award from the World Meteorological Organization and was involved in the landmark Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, contributing scientific data and assessments that drove policy analyses and promoted the construction of an international framework for ozone layer protection.

His experience and knowledge extends beyond his contributions to the study of the ozone layer and the impact that chemicals like chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) have on it. He is a co-inventor of the Brewer Ozone Spectrophotometer, which is used to measure ozone in 45 countries around the world. He is also co-inventor of the UV Index, now in use in 30 countries. McElroy managed the development of the AES hand-held Sunphotometer which Canadian astronaut Marc Garneau used to make ozone measurements on his first space flight in 1984. Recently, McElroy has been collaborating with other scientists at 91亚色 and elsewhere in designing the atmospheric measurement payload for the planned Canadian Polar Communications and Weather satellite.

"We are celebrating a research leader who is using his talent and knowledge to spearhead innovation for Canada鈥檚 aerospace industry," says Suzanne Fortier, President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. "The advancements produced by Dr. McElroy鈥檚 team will provide new tools for space science. His research will also produce important data that will give Canadians new insight into issues like ozone recovery and climate change."

Henry Buijs, chief technical officer of ABB Bomem Inc., a leading Canadian space technology firm, said ABB Bomem is pleased to support McElroy鈥檚 new research program. "We feel that this collaboration with a researcher with expertise in instrument design, as well as an intimate knowledge of the science obtained with the instrumentation, will provide a significant strategic benefit for ABB as well as advance scientific research," he said.

McElroy is being greeted with great anticipation in his new role at 91亚色 because of his longtime commitment to advocacy in the field of atmospheric science.

"The Faculty of Science聽& Engineering is excited about expanding our existing partnerships and supporting the innovative and ground-breaking research of Professor Tom McElroy," says 91亚色 biology Professor Imogen Coe, associate dean of research聽& partnerships. "This research chair builds and strengthens our industrial partnerships and the innovative research of the Industrial Research Chair awarded to Professor McElroy will address pressing issues in climate science leading to significant positive outcomes for Canada."

The post New research chair to advance atmospheric science discoveries appeared first on Research & Innovation.

If you鈥檙e working in 3D film or aerospace engineering, what impact do the latest developments in brain and vision research have on your industry鈥檚 practices? What if you鈥檙e drafting government policy on air quality control and need expertise in how the latest atmospheric chemistry and physics findings translate into plans and policy?

Graduate students and post-doctoral fellows at 91亚色 have new options to pursue the research and applied dimensions of these and other questions, thanks to $3.3 million in funding from the (NSERC).

httpv://youtu.be/OtRWua59EPU

The funding, provided through NSERC鈥檚 $29.6聽million investment over six years in the Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Grants program, will support two new training programs in the Faculty of Science & Engineering, each valued at $1.65 million over the period.

Students and fellows enrolled in each program will gain experience in basic and applied research, along with the practical and professional skills needed to successfully transition to research careers in the academic, industry or government sectors.

Professor Hugh Wilson in the Faculty of Science & Engineering鈥檚 Department of Biology will lead the Vision Science and Applications program. Based in the internationally-recognized (CVR), the program focuses on vision-based information technologies that require optimal information displays to ensure accurate human interpretation of data are playing an increasingly important role in many economic sectors.

Key applications include:

• 3D digital media (e.g., 3D film, geographical databases, autocad systems)
• Aerospace (e.g., cockpit technologies, search-and-rescue)
• Face and scene analysis technologies (e.g., facial biometrics)
• Visual health and assessment technologies (e.g., functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), perimetry)

The Vision Science and Applications team includes 25 researchers at seven international universities and 10 partner organizations, including , the and . At 91亚色, a total of 10 professors affiliated with CVR will lend their expertise to the project. The program will enrol four students in its first year and 16 students in each successive year.

Professors and in the Faculty of Science & Engineering鈥檚 Department of Chemistry will lead the Training Program for Integrating Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics from Earth to Space (IACPES) program. Jointly based in 91亚色鈥檚 (CAC) and the Centre for Research in Earth & Space Science (CRESS), the program鈥檚 interdisciplinary focus will give students an integrated understanding of atmospheric chemistry and physics from earth into space.

Key applications include:

• measuring and modelling atmospheric change
• examining air quality and health issues
• monitoring changes in the arctic atmosphere
• detecting sources of greenhouse gases
• measuring Earth鈥檚 changing atmosphere from space
• exploring and understanding other planets鈥� atmospheres
• developing the policy implications of atmospheric science

The IACPES team includes 11 applicants at six universities and 23 collaborators at 10 partner organizations, including , the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the (NOAA) in Boulder, Colo., several industries and two premier research institutes in Germany.聽The program will create 21 places for undergraduate students, master鈥檚 students, PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in its first year, with over 200 places created over the successive five years.

httpv://youtu.be/6YlFv0Xd9no

鈥淏y securing two of only 18 projects awarded to universities across Canada, 91亚色 builds on its strong track record in leading large-scale, interdisciplinary collaborative research projects,鈥� said Stan Shapson, vice-president research & innovation. 鈥�The programs will provide our innovative research centres 鈥� CVR, CRESS and CAC聽鈥� with a competitive advantage in attracting excellent graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who wish to pursue careers in the applications of vision science or atmospheric chemistry and physics. NSERC鈥檚 CREATE program strengthens the role of universities in training the highly-qualified people needed in today鈥檚 scientific knowledge economy.鈥�

鈥淣SERC鈥檚 CREATE Program helps graduating students become highly sought-after professional researchers in the natural sciences and engineering, both in Canada and abroad,鈥� said Suzanne聽Fortier, president of NSERC. 鈥淭he program not only helps improve the skill set of Canada鈥檚 next-generation of research talent, but it also helps to support their retention in the workforce.鈥�

By Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer

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鈥淒r. Victor brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and insight to the Greenbelt Council,鈥� said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rick Bartolucci, who announced Victor鈥檚 appointment Tuesday. 鈥淚 look forward to working with Dr. Victor and Council as they provide advice on the ongoing implementation of the Greenbelt.鈥�

A professor in the Faculty of Environmental Studies at 91亚色, Victor is an economist who has worked on environmental issues for 40 years as an academic, public servant and consultant. He was Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Studies from 1996 to 2001, following several years as an assistant deputy minister in Ontario鈥檚 Ministry of the Environment. Prior to that he worked in the private sector, where he undertook many policy-related economic studies in Canada and abroad.

鈥淚 look forward to working with the Council as we consider and make recommendations to the Minister,鈥� said Victor. 鈥淲e have come to understand economies as subsystems of the biosphere and realize that a healthy environment and a strong economy go hand in hand.鈥�

Victor continues to provide public, private and non-governmental organizations with technical advice on air pollution and health, emissions trading, emerging issues and full cost accounting at national and corporate levels. He is author of .

By Janice Walls, media relations coordinator.

The post Professor Peter Victor appointed to lead Ontario鈥檚 Greenbelt Council appeared first on Research & Innovation.

The devastating effects of pollution were discussed at the Community Forum on Pollution and Action co-organized by Aamjiwnaang First Nation and 91亚色. , an environmental law professor at 91亚色[鈥檚 Osgoode Hall Law School], told the forum that local residents don't have to accept pollution and its serious health consequences as a fact of life. It's a familiar refrain for many frustrated local residents.

Scott told those in attendance that she is working closely with Aamjiwnaang to investigate the links between pollution and the health impact on residents. The province's pollution laws were discussed in detail at the forum and Scott says the law is broken.

The forum also heard from health researchers Jim Brophy and Margaret Keith who said tonnes of carcinogens are pumped into the air annually by Chemical Valley companies. Keith went so far as to say "industry is polluting and government is turning a blind eye."

It should be noted that Chemical Valley companies have come a long way in recent years to reduce emissions. But there is still an air quality problem in our community.

Residents here deserve to know what impact pollution is having on their health.

The complete article is available on .

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with files courtesy of YFile 鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

The post Osgoode Professor Dayna Scott on Sarnia's need for local study on pollution appeared first on Research & Innovation.

The annual prize, one of the top accolades for the advancement of space technology in Canada, was awarded Tuesday to the CanX-2 microsatellite team, headed by the University of Toronto. 91亚色鈥檚 instrument, a microspectrometer dubbed Argus, is currently riding aboard the microsatellite, which launched in April 2008. Argus can accurately detect sources of industrial pollution on Earth, to a resolution of one kilometre.

"We鈥檙e very excited to be part of the team receiving this award," said Argus principal investigator Brendan Quine, a professor in 91亚色鈥檚 Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering. "Argus was a Canadian first and we鈥檙e delighted we could make it happen at 91亚色."

Right: Brendan Quine with the Alouette Award

The device, which is small enough to fit in the palm of an adult鈥檚 hand, transmits data via infrared radiation emitted to space. It enables scientists to determine local levels of carbon dioxide and other climate change gases by recording infrared spectra, which contain information about atmospheric composition.

Developed in partnership with Thoth Technology Inc., it is the first space instrument to be built and tested in 91亚色鈥檚 space engineering laboratory, part of the University鈥檚 Centre for Research in Earth & Space Science (CRESS). Argus鈥� current mandate includes monitoring levels of ash from recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland.

CASI introduced the Alouette Award in 1995 to recognize an outstanding contribution to the advancement of Canadian space technology, science or engineering. It may be awarded to an individual, a group, an organization or group of organizations, as appropriate to the nature of the contribution. Preference is given to contributions that lead to new benefits for mankind.

The team's win was also covered in the North 91亚色 Mirror May 12:

91亚色 researchers who designed and built a miniature space-borne pollution monitor are part of a team of Canadians who were honoured with a 2010 Alouette Award from the Canadian Aeronautics & Space Institute (CASI).

The annual prize, one of the top accolades for the advancement of space technology in Canada, was awarded May 4 to the CanX-2 microsatellite team, headed by the University of Toronto.

91亚色鈥檚 instrument, a microspectrometer dubbed Argus, is currently riding aboard the microsatellite, which launched in April 2008. Argus can accurately detect sources of industrial pollution on Earth, to a resolution of one kilometre.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited to be a part of the team receiving this award,鈥� Brendan Quine, Argus Principal investigator and professor in 91亚色鈥檚 Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, said in a release. 鈥淎rgus is a Canadian first and we鈥檙e delighted we could make it happen at 91亚色.鈥�

For more information, visit the Web site.

Republished courtesy of YFile鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

The post 91亚色 scientists monitoring pollution from space win aeronautics award appeared first on Research & Innovation.