Third-year Thompson Rivers University science students Brittany Dever, left, chemical biology, and Whitney Makenny, cellular molecular microbial biology, get ready to load samples into a state-of-the-art detection instrument located behind themThe instrument, known as High Performance Liquid Chromatography, allows for more precise and quicker analysisFor example, the instrument would be able to detect one grain of salt in a body of water the equivalent of 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools, says Kingsley Donkor, TRU Assistant Professor, Chemistry
The Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, is helping Thompson Rivers University (TRU), undertake projects that support research and development in the fields of analytical chemistry and tourism
Federal funding of more than $624,000 for two projects was announced today by Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
“Long-term economic prosperity requires vision and leadership, ” said MP Cathy McLeod. “Our Government is proud to support Thompson Rivers University in its efforts to develop new technologies and strengthen tourism – both of which contribute to building a more globally competitive and productive British Columbia.”
“TRU has creative and inquisitive researchers as well as very capable students whose work in the disciplines of tourism, science and technology support sustainable economic development, ” said Dr. Kathleen Scherf, TRU President and Vice-Chancellor”The combination of these talented people with strategic federal investments help guide TRU and our province into an exciting future.”
With a federal investment of $400,000, TRU will acquire a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer to enhance its scientific infrastructure capacity and enable increased economic interaction with local industry and research organizationsA liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer is a powerful analytic chemistry tool used in life sciences, environmental studies, the food industry, toxicology and forensic sciences
A second federal investment of $224,924 will go towards Thompson Rivers University School of Tourism to develop rural tourism products for the Mountain Pine Beetle affected communities of the central and northern regions of British Columbia Project activities will include: organizing an advisory committee; hiring a project coordinator; researching and analyzing successful programs; hosting a conference to facilitate knowledge transfer of tourism product development in rural and remote communities, and coordinating the placement of tourism studentsDelivered through the Community Economic Development Initiative program, this project will contribute to the long-term economic stability of these regions.
“I’m looking forward to discoveries into new medicines and medical treatment, innovative solutions to pollution detection and remediation, and better food products enabled by the new mass spectrometer,” said Dr. Nancy Van Wagoner, TRU Associate Vice-President Research and Graduate Studies“Explorations in rural tourism are excepted to open doors to new ways of appreciating what our special region has to offer the world.”
Thompson Rivers University has demonstrated strength in maintaining linkages between trades, technology and academic programsThe University serves a broad geographic region with two campuses, one in Kamloops and the other in Williams Lake, and includes a strong distance and open learning capacityResearch is an important and growing component of the university’s priorities, with a strong focus on community-based applied research and knowledge transfer.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision-making.
Contact: Christopher Seguin, Vice-President Advancement, (p) 250-852-6357, (c) 250-574-0474
