The University of Victoria will share in $42-million worth of "Canada Foundation for Innovation" grants that were announced Wednesday morning.
Federal Science Minister Kirsty Duncan was at UVic to announce the money, which will be shared by 186 projects across the country.
Minister Duncan highlighted two projects they're supporting at UVic. The first is led by researcher Heather Buckley, a civil engineer, who is developing a test strip for easily testing drinking water in mining-impacted communities. She is receiving $135,000 toward the project.
"It focuses on the detection and treatment of critical water contaminants at mining sites. With the support of the CFI, Dr. Buckley and her team will develop sensors that allow remote communities to better monitor their water quality by detecting inorganic water contaminants," said Duncan.
The second UVic project is led by researcher Leigh Anne Swayne, a cell microbiologist. Minister Duncan said the grant “will support research that will help us better understand how different molecules interact with one another to control proper development and functioning of the brain.”
Swayne's project has been awarded $220,000 toward the $550,000 upgrade of her lab's confocal microscope.