In the fall, the Office of the Vice-Principal (Research) launched the Queen’s Research Opportunities Funds (QROFs), a new suite of internal awards in support of the research enterprise at Queen’s. The first round of funding was recently awarded.

Research prominence is a key driver in our Strategic Framework and guided by our Strategic Research Plan. Conducting or supporting research is a core activity of faculty, students, and staff at Queen’s University,” says Dr. Daniel Woolf, Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “We invested in the QROFs to enhance our researchers’ ability to advance knowledge about some of the most profound questions that face the world today.”

With up to $1 million awarded in the first competition, the QROFs are intended to provide researchers and scholars the opportunity to accelerate their research programs. 

“The QROFs represent an important investment made by an internal research awards program at Queen’s,” says Dr. Steven Liss, Vice-Principal (Research).  “Interest from the research community was extensive: we received over 130 applications between the Leaders’ Fund, the International Fund, and the Arts Fund.* I’d like to personally thank all participants and offer my sincere congratulations to the recipients.”

The following researchers (list does not include co-applicants) have received QROFs:

Research Leaders’ Fund – for strategic institutional commitments to aspirational research in support of the university’s research strengths and priorities

• Dr. John Allingham (Biomedical and Molecular Sciences) received $48,420 for his project entitled “Targeting the Oncogenic Kinesin Motor Protein KIF14 for Cancer Therapy”
• Dr. Leon Boegman (Civil Engineering) received $50,000  for his project entitled “Characterizing Spatial Hydrodynamics in Wastewater Stabilization Ponds to Advance Completely Stirred Tank Reactor Design Models”
• Dr. Frances Bonier (Biology) received $50,000 for her project entitled “Ecophysiology and Immunology Research Methods for Advancing Understanding of Organismal Responses to Challenges”
• Dr. Heather Castleden (Geography and Planning) received $50,000 for her project entitled “CIHR's New Open Suite of Programs and College of Reviewers: So, How's that Working for Pathways to Aboriginal Health Equity in Research and Outcomes in Canada?”
• Dr. Qingling Duan (Biomedical and Molecular Sciences) received $50,000 for her project entitled “Moving Towards Precision Medicine using Genomic Signatures in Severe Asthma”
• Dr. Simon French (School of Rehabilitation Therapy) received $49,992 for his project entitled “Improving the Primary Care Management of Low Back Pain: a Feasibility Study”
• Dr. Mark Ormiston (Biomedical and Molecular Sciences) received $50,000 for his project “Generation of Blood Outgrowth Endothelial Cells for the Study of Immune Dysfunction in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension”
• Dr. Ishita Pande (History) received $34,772 for her project entitled “A Global History of Hindu Sexology”
• Dr. Laura Wells  (Chemical Engineering) received $49,600 for her project entitled “The Role of Biomaterial Surface Properties and Neutrophil Cell Behaviour on Introcular Lens Posterior Capsule Opacification (Secondary Cataracts)

The International Fund – to assist in augmenting the university’s international reputation through increased global engagement

• Dr. Susan Bartels (Emergency Medicine) received $20,000 for her project “'Peace Babies' in the Democratic Republic of Congo”
• Dr. Christopher Booth (Oncology) received $20,000 for his project “Cancer Health Services Research Collaboration at the Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India”
• Dr. Pascale Champagne (Civil Engineering) received $20,000 for her project entitled “An Integrated Algal System as a Potential Eco-engineered Wastewater Treatment Process in Ecuador”
• Dr. Marc Epprecht (Global Development Studies) received $20,000 for his project entitled “Matariki Network for African Studies”
• Dr. Christina Godfrey (School of Nursing) received $20,000 for her project entitled “Building Skills in Evidence Synthesis to Advance Healthcare”
• Dr. Anthony Goerzen (Smith School of Business) received $20,000 for his project entitled “Global Supply Chain Management Practice − Environmental and Social Sustainability”
• Dr. James Miller (School of Religion) received $20,000 for his project entitled “Decentering Critical Theory”
• Dr. Michael Rainbow (Mechanical and Materials Engineering) received $20,000 for his project entitled “An International Collaboration to Understand the Neuromechanics of the Human Foot”
• Dr. Dongsheng Tu (Canadian Cancer Trials Group) received $20,000 for his project entitled “Collaborative Research on Statistical Models for the Joint Analysis of Quality of Life and Survival Data”
• Dr. Suning Wang (Chemistry) has received $20,000 for her project entitled “Collaborative Research on Catalysis and Materials with Researchers at Nagoya University and Kyoto University”

 The Arts Fund – designed to support artists and their contributions to the scholarly community and to advancing Queen’s University

• Dr. Dylan Robinson (Faculty of Arts & Science) received $10,000 for his project entitled “Not too Few to Forget: Developing a Public Art Memorial for Kingston’s Prison for Women”
• Dr. Jane Tolmie (Gender Studies) received $10,000 to bring Ciara Philips to Queen’s as a Visiting Artist in Residence
• Dr. Craig Walker (School of Drama and Music) received $10,000 to bring Kat Sandler to Queen’s as a Visiting Artist in Residence

The next competition will be launched in fall 2016. Please visit the Office of the Vice-Principal (Research) website for more information.

*Results of the Post-Doctoral Fund competition will be announced at a later date