Innovation PEI supports excellence in academic research through Masters, PhD Students and Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, September 22, 2010 – Twelve Graduate Students and Post-Doctoral Fellows have been offered support through the Island Prosperity Strategy to continue their ground-breaking, innovative research relating to the Province’s strategic sectors, Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell says.

“Graduate Students are the work-horses of the academic community and this government is committed to supporting innovative research projects which may lead to new product development or future economic benefit to the Province,” said Minister Campbell.

Innovation PEI received a total of 37 applications requesting support under the Graduate Student and Post-Doctoral Fellowship program. These students are working on projects in Prince Edward Island that have the potential to benefit our local economy and grow our resource pool of academic researchers. Innovation PEI has committed to offer funding for the top four students in the Masters, PhD and Post-Doctoral categories.

“I continue to be impressed with the quality of research being conducted in Prince Edward Island,” said Minister Campbell. “I look forward to the Provinces continued support of Graduate Students through the Island Prosperity Strategy program”.

This is the second round of funding to be offered under the Graduate Student program since the Island Prosperity Strategy was released in 2008. This program now supports 23 Graduate Students including the 12 supported through this year’s call for applications.

The next call for applications for the Graduate Student and Post-Doctoral Fellowship is expected to be released in the early spring of 2011.

Background

Students who have been offered funding are listed below along with their corresponding projects:

Michael Ciarmella
Michael will strive to identify hemolymph (blood) biochemical parameters that correlate with the quality and nutritional status of American lobster. Michael is being supervised by Dr. Andrea Battison and Dr. Barb Horney.

Edward Cross
Edward is working to develop catalysts which will be utilized to form biodegradable and controlled release drug delivery systems. Edward is being supervised by Dr. Michael Shaver.

Jessica Willis
Jessica will develop molecular assays for ensuring that Island oysters remain safe for human consumption. Jessica is being supervised by Dr. Spencer Greenwood and Dr. J.T. McClure.

Dr. Michael Shaver & Dr. Brian Wagner
Dr. Shaver and Dr. Wagner have been granted a funding guarantee to recruit a Master’s Student who will re-locate to Prince Edward Island and develop a drug delivery system that will indicate the end of the treatment cycle through fluorescence.

Michelle Patterson
Michelle is investigating optoacoustic imaging, a new medical technology for monitoring prostate cancer. She is able to image tumours using light and sound waves. Michelle is being supervised by Dr. William Whelan and Dr. Chris Riley.

Dr. Priyanka Pundir
Dr. Pundir is evaluating the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties of oat extracts on human skin cells. Dr. Pundir is being supervised by Dr. Marianna Kulka.

Dr. Catherine Radtke
Dr. Radtke is conducting a comparison of the stem cells harvested from equine muscle, fat, periosteum, and bone marrow for use in clinical therapy. Dr. Radtke is being supervised by Dr. Laurie McDuffee.

K. Fraser Clark
Fraser will develop molecular tools to assess the health, immunity and quality of lobster exposed to different pathogens. Fraser is being supervised by Dr. Spencer Greenwood.

Dr. Dante Mateo
Dante will attempt to create a tool to detect multiple finfish viruses using fluidic bead based molecular technology. Dr. Mateo is being supervised by Dr. Ahmed Siah, Dr. David Groman and Dr. Carmencita Yason.

Dr. Nakhyung Lee
Dr. Lee will strive to develop a strategy to control Listeria in ready-to-eat lobster products. Dr. Lee is being supervised by Dr. Byeonghwa Jeon

Dr. J.T. McClure & Dr. Chris Riley
Dr. McClure and Dr. Riley have been granted conditional funding to recruit a post-doctoral fellow who will assess immunity and antibody production using biomedical technology, with a view to developing commercial opportunities for PEI.

Dr. Qiang Ye
Dr. Ye will recruit a post-doctoral fellow to work with a medical technology company to create a tele-health system based on wireless sensor networks, which automatically monitors patient vital signs and reports to nurses (or doctors) if an issue arises.