NSERC honours McGill researchers for basic research,
industry collaborations
Two McGill researchers are among this year’s recipients of
prestigious prizes awarded by the National Science and Engineering
Research Council (NSERC).
Prof. Roussos Dimitrakopoulos, of the
Department of Mining and Materials Engineering, is the recipient of
a 2011 Synergy Award for Innovation. Since their inception, the
awards have honoured the most outstanding achievements of
university-industry collaboration in the natural sciences and
engineering. Dimitrakopoulous has developed new mathematical
modeling techniques for forecasting mine planning and production
that take into account uncertainty in the supply of minerals and in
meeting market demands. These techniques have helped mining
companies generate a much higher return on investment as well as
increased metal production from the same asset. Prof.
Dimitrakopoulos has worked with six global mining companies over
the past 15 years – BHP Billiton, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Barrick Gold,
De Beers, Newmont and Vale – and appreciates the value of this
long-term partnership.
“They serve as a think-tank for the research we are conducting
and are particularly interested in identifying long-term, strategic
areas of problems to be solved through shifting established
paradigms,” says Dimitrakopoulos. “In return, they understand that
our work leads to advances that will have positive financial,
environmental and sustainability implications for our industrial
partners and the broader society.” The award will also lead to the
appointment of five research fellows who will work with the
different industry partners, an opportunity for doctoral students
from disciplines such as computer science, earth sciences and math
to gain experience of working directly with industry.
Prof. Robert Seiringer, Department of
Mathematics and Statistics, has won one of the Steacie Memorial
Fellowships for 2011. Seiringer’s research involves using modern
mathematical techniques to learn about physics, and in particular
about the nature of solids, fluids and gases. His current research
has added to the understanding of matter at extremely cold
temperatures – at absolute zero or ?273.15° Celsius.
“One of the interesting things is that the same equation is used
to describe water and ice,” says Seiringer. “This is mathematically
very curious.” The Steacie award will allow Seiringer to devote the
next two years to his research (recipients are relieved of their
teaching duties), working on equations that will help physicists
better understand various aspects of the natural world.
NSERC’s E.W.R Steacie Memorial Fellowships honour the memory of
Dr. Edgar William Richard Steacie, an outstanding chemist and
research leader who made major contributions to the development of
science in Canada during, and immediately following World War II.
Steacie Fellowships are awarded annually to enhance the career
development of outstanding and highly promising scientists and
engineers who are faculty members of Canadian universities.
“Canada’s researchers are second to none when it comes to the
quality and creativity of their work,” said NSERC President Suzanne
Fortier. “From students just embarking on their careers to seasoned
researchers with well-earned international reputations, we can be
extremely proud of the talent we help nurture.”
“We thank NSERC for their ongoing support of our researchers,
and congratulate Professors Seiringer and Dimitrakopoulos on
receiving such prestigious awards,” said Rosie Goldstein, McGill’s
Vice-Principal (Research and International Relations). “NSERC plays
an invaluable role in promoting both basic scientific research and
innovative collaborations between researchers and industry.”
For more information about the awards: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Index_eng.asp
