Woo-hoo! Dr. Isabel Molina!

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

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Algoma U biology professor awarded substantial funding from CFI

Dr. Isabel Molina receives $84,754 to help with biochemistry research

SAULT STE. MARIE - Algoma University is pleased to announce that Dr. Isabel Molina has been awarded $84,754 from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Leaders Opportunity Fund (LOF) for her project entitled Biochemical and Molecular Infrastructure to Unlock the Secrets of Plant Extracellular Lipids: Manipulating Pathways to Create Novel Bio-products for Agriculture, Forestry and the Biofuels Industry.

"Dr. Molina is doing very innovative research that will have an impact not just on our basic understanding of plant biochemistry, but on industries ranging from agriculture and forestry to biomaterials and biofuels," said Dr. David Schantz, vice-president of Academic and Research at Algoma University. "We are pleased to see her work recognized by CFI, and excited about the new equipment that this grant will allow us to add to our labs."

The LOF fund helps provide universities with money to acquire new infrastructure to allow researchers to undertake cutting-edge research. 

The fund also helps attract new talented researchers to Canadian universities, and to train the next generation of Canadian academics.

"The investments being announced today at Algoma University will further enhance our country's reputation as a destination of choice for outstanding researchers," said Dr. Gilles G. Patry, president and CEO of the CFI. "They will make our universities even more competitive when it comes to attracting the best and brightest researchers from around the world."

Dr. Isabel Molina, assistant professor and research chair in Natural Products Biochemistry, has made innovative discoveries in understanding the structure and biosynthesis of protective plant lipids such as suberin (cork). 

This CFI investment will permit the purchase and installation of research infrastructure to fully outfit a molecular biology/plant biochemistry laboratory at the University. 

The equipment will allow Molina and her group to identify and characterize novel fatty acids, hydrocarbons, and natural products that show potential to yield new bioproducts for industry, medicine, and agriculture. 

Molina has also recently been awarded a Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Grant, valued at $39,135.

"This research infrastructure is essential to fulfill my NSERC funded research program, and will allow us to work with businesses, collaborate with other researchers, and train undergraduate, master's, and PhD students who will have the opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge research in plant molecular biotechnology and analytical chemistry," said Molina.

About Algoma University

Algoma University offers a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in Psychology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Fine Arts, Community Economic and Social Development, and Biology in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton, Timmins and St. Thomas.

As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture.

Algoma University has launched its Essential Elements Campaign to expand its campus and offer more scholarships and awards to students.

To learn more, visit www.algomau.ca.

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