NSAC Researchers Working on $6.4 Million AIF Projects

Researchers at Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) are partnering with industry on projects awarded $6.4 million last week by Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA) Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF). The funding is being allocated to three separate projects.

“Our researchers are committed to working with industry on solving real world problems,” says Dr. Leslie MacLaren, co-president, vice president academic, NSAC.

"I am pleased to see that NSAC has received significant research funding for projects that will benefit our agricultural industry," said Dr. Mark Parent, Minister of Agriculture. "NSAC researchers carry out world class work and they continue to successfully access the funding required for this research."

On Friday, January 23 the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway announced funding for two NSAC projects in Halifax, NS.

Approximately $3 million in AIF funding will be given over three years to a partnership between NSAC’s Dr. Richard Ablett, Keata Pharma Inc. (Sydney) and the National Research Council's Institute of Nutri-Sciences and Health. Their project will focus on the development and commercialization of a daffodil-derived natural product that can be used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Another $1.4 million in funding will be given over five years to a partnership between Dr. David Percival and Oxford Frozen Foods. This project will develop a number of new technology based products, processes and services with the objective to increase harvestable blueberry yields, reduce costs of production, increase productivity and improve product quality while enhancing environmental stewardship.

Previous to Friday’s announcement, $2 million in AIF funding over four years was awarded to a third project involving NSAC researchers. The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State, ACOA made the announcement on Monday January 19 in Fredericton, NB. NSAC’s Dr. Gordon Price and Dr. Derek Lynch have partnered with Envirem Technologies and Coastal Zones Research Institute Inc. on this project to recycle and convert organic residues into soil, organic fertilizers and value-added peat mix products.

“These announcements reflect the high caliber of work accomplished by our researchers,” says Dr. MacLaren. “We are proud to contribute to these projects and assist Atlantic Canadian industries to develop and succeed.”

NSAC currently ranks No. 1 in research intensity among all of the other 16 Atlantic Canadian universities, according to results released by Research Infosource Inc. in its Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities list for 2007.