Laurentian University researchers awarded significant NSERC funding

(July 28, 2025) - Laurentian University is celebrating remarkable success from recent grants announced by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Laurentian researchers have received over $1.4M in Discovery Grants (DG), $44,000 in a Discovery Development Grant (DDG) and $50,000 in Early Career Researcher (ECR) Launch Supplement awards.

The DG program is NSERC's largest and longest-standing program. These grants support high-quality, ongoing research programs in areas including Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Human Kinetics, Math and Computer Science, and Physics. They aim to promote research excellence, maintain a diverse base of research capability, and provide a stimulating environment for training researchers. DGs typically provide long-term funding over five years to support creativity and innovation central to research advances. 

New NSERC DG recipients affiliated with Laurentian University include: 

• Dr. Brie Edwards*: Cumulative impacts of legacy and contemporary stressors on aquatic ecosystems
• Dr. Katie Goggins*: New technology with a real-time whole-body vibration exposure risk algorithm for operators of heavy equipment
• Dr. Eva Pakostova*: Innovative biotechnologies for sustainable recovery of battery metals
• Dr. Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde: Evolutionary ecology of mammals during the Anthropocene
• Dr. Stefan Siemann: Mechanism of metal exchange and removal processes in zinc proteins
• Dr. Richard Smith: Geophysics for critical minerals exploration
• Dr. Gustavo Ybazeta*¹: Environmental Determinants of Microbial Dynamics and Resistome Evolution in Wastewater Treatment Plants in Northeastern Ontario

*Indicates recipient of an additional one-year ECR Launch Supplement award.

The DDG program complements the DG program by supporting researchers at small universities whose DG applications were strong but not selected for the five-year funding program. Recipients of a DDG receive two years of funding, designed to promote research quality and provide a supportive environment for research training.

Dr. Junfeng Zhang has earned a DDG for his research project, “Blood Flows and Oxygen Transport in the Microcirculation.”

"Laurentian University continues to be a hub for impactful discovery research, and these NSERC grants are a testament to the dedication and research excellence of faculty at Laurentian University. This vital federal investment empowers our researchers to push the boundaries of knowledge, address complex challenges, train the next generation of scientific leaders and contribute to Canada's scientific landscape,” said Dr. Tammy Eger, Laurentian University’s Vice-President, Research. “We are particularly proud of the support for both our established experts and our promising early career researchers, who are poised to make significant contributions."

“NOSM University is proud of the important research being undertaken by Dr. Gustavo Ybazeta into microbial dynamics and antimicrobial resistance in wastewater treatment plants. This work highlights how collaborations between researchers strengthen existing partnerships across Northern Ontario,” says Dr. David Marsh, Vice President, Research and Graduate Studies at NOSM University. 

“Health Sciences North and Health Sciences North Research Institute are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Dr. Gustavo Ybazeta in receiving the NSERC Discovery Grant with an Early Career Researcher Launch Supplement. Dr. Ybazeta’s research will deepen our understanding of microbial ecosystems and antimicrobial resistance, knowledge that has far-reaching implications for public health and environmental safety in our region and beyond,” said Dr. Robert Ohle, vice-president of Academic Research and Impact. “At HSN and HSNRI, we believe that cutting-edge research drives better care for the patients and communities we serve, and this recognition reflects the strength of the research environment we are building. By supporting innovative scientists like Dr. Ybazeta, we are able to advance our understanding of vital questions while fostering collaboration with academic partners and help develop the next generation of healthcare and research leaders. We look forward to the important insights his research will generate.”

These investments underscore the critical role Laurentian University and its researchers play in advancing scientific understanding, driving technological innovation, and contributing to a stronger, more innovative nation.

¹Dr. Ybazeta’s primary appointment is at Health Sciences North Research Institute, where he works as a Scientist. He is also an Associate Professor at NOSM University and is cross-appointed to Laurentian University’s School of Natural Sciences.