Climate, environmental health the focus of Drs. Colin McCarter and Diana Lewis’ research
Two University of Guelph researchers have received Canada Research Chair (CRC) funding to strengthen climate adaptation in boreal ecosystems and advance Indigenous-led approaches to environmental health governance.
Dr. Colin McCarter, professor in the School of Environmental Sciences, Ontario Agricultural College, will receive a new Tier 2 CRC in Climate Change Adaptation in Natural and Managed Ecosystems from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). With his CRC, McCarter will also receive $132,000 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) which provides critical funding for research infrastructure and equipment.
Dr. Diana Lewis, professor in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, will receive renewed support for her existing Tier 2 Chair in Indigenous Environmental Health Governance from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
This investment is part of more than $813 million in federal funding of which more than $187 million will support 220 new and renewed CRCs, announced on Friday by Karim Bardeesy, parliamentary secretary to the minister of industry on behalf of Mélanie Joly, minister of industry and minister responsible for Canada economic development for Quebec regions.
“These investments reflect U of G’s commitment to research excellence and partnerships that create and mobilize knowledge to improve life,” says Dr. Mazyar Fallah, vice-president, research and innovation.
“We are proud to see Drs. McCarter and Lewis recognized for work that strengthens environmental resilience, supports Indigenous-led, community-informed decision-making and addresses complex challenges affecting ecosystems and human health.”
U of G will also receive more than $8.1 million from the Research Support Fund (RSF), including Incremental Project Grants and Research Security Funding, which supports Canadian post-secondary institutions with funding to help manage research enterprises, maintain world-class research environments and to bolster Canada as a global leader in research and development.
Guelph MP Dominique O’Rourke said: “The University of Guelph is home to innovative researchers whose work addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing Canada and the world. This federal investment in Canada Research Chairs and the Research Support Fund will strengthen the University of Guelph’s research capacity, advance knowledge in Indigenous environmental health and climate change adaptation and help ensure made-in-Guelph solutions continue to thrive.”;
Tier 2 CRCs, recognized as exceptional emerging leaders in their fields, receive $120,000 annually for five years. The CRC program helps Canadian postsecondary institutions attract and retain outstanding researchers in various fields, fostering excellence in research and training.;
Dr. Colin McCarter
McCarter is investigating how climate change is affecting the movement of toxic metals through boreal forests and wetlands, helping to improve climate adaptation strategies and support ecosystem resilience.
Building on his expertise in ecohydrology, biogeochemistry and ecosystem science, McCarter will examine how contaminants stored in wetlands and surrounding landscapes are remobilized during and after environmental disturbances, and how ecosystem restoration efforts influence these processes.
Specifically, he will investigate how wetland wildfires, forest insect outbreaks and wetland restoration affect the movement of toxic metals that have accumulated in soils over decades.
By advancing understanding of how these ecosystems are changing, McCarter’s research will improve predictions of contaminant release under climate-related disturbances and inform new ecosystem management strategies in the context of global change.