Nine researchers at the University of Ottawa have received Ontario Early Research Awards. The awards, worth approximately $100,000 each, are part of the Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund.
The University’s recipients:
Kristin Baetz, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, is studying the progression of cancer by providing insight into the cellular implications of enzymes that modify the structure of DNA and protein.
Marjorie Brand, Department of Medicine, is working on deciphering the molecular workings of genes. She hopes to advance the development of gene therapy as a viable treatment for a large number of diseases.
David Bryce, Department of Chemistry, is working towards better understanding the molecules and molecular interactions in heavy metal-based materials.
Antonio Colavita, Department of Neurosciences, Ottawa Health Research Institute, is examining how neural cells acquire their distinct characteristics.
Jocelyn Côté, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, is looking at the role of arginine methylation, a modification that is often found in proteins that interact with the RNA molecule of human DNA, and its implication in various diseases.
Éric Doucet, School of Human Kinetics, is studying the effects of diet, exercise, drugs and functional foods on appetite control in the regulation of body energy reserves.
Alan Forster, Department of Medicine, will use information technology to measure and improve health care safety for patients.
Ravi Bhardwaj Vedula, Department of Physics, is studying how light produced by an ultra-fast laser propagates and interacts with matter, which will allow for improved data transmission and enhanced security.
Robert Screaton, Department of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, is identifying new genes that regulate function and survival of pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin.
