Two newly-appointed Canada Research Chairs will strengthen the University of Ottawa’s already impressive expertise in molecular genetics.
Dr. Alan Mears and Dr. Miguel Andrade are joining the University of Ottawa from the United Kingdom and Germany, respectively. Dr. Mears will be the Canada Research Chair in Genetics of the Eye, and Dr. Andrade becomes the Canada Research Chair in Bioinformatics.
Dr. Andrade’s work in the field of bioinformatics has broad applications in the discovery of genetic diseases and the effectiveness of therapies for diseases and disorders.
Bioinformatics makes use of computers and computer-based tools to make inferences about the functions of genes and proteins and their relationships with diseases. Andrade will work in collaboration with researchers at the Ottawa Health Research Institute, the Integrated Cancer Program at the Ottawa Hospital, and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Mears is using new technology to study two common and serious eye diseases: age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. His research may lead to new gene therapies or the possibility of tissue transplantation to combat these serious diseases.
Mears and Andrade are Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs, who assumed their duties on March 1, 2004. Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs are for exceptional emerging researchers with the potential to lead in their field. For each Tier 2 Chair, the University receives $100,000 annually for five years. The positions are renewable.
The University of Ottawa allocation of Canada Research Chairs was recently increased from 53 to 63 based on its performance in attracting and supporting outstanding researchers.
