Hill among CFI research grant recipients

Dr. Janet Hill and PhD student Atul Desai.

Dr. Janet Hill of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) is one of eight University of Saskatchewan researchers whose projects will receive support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). The CFI Leaders Opportunity Fund awarded a total of $661,310 to U of S researchers. Notably, eight of the nine U of S applicants were successful.

Hill, an assistant professor in WCVM’s Department of Veterinary Microbiology, was granted $25,842 to investigate complex microbial communities that inhabit the digestive and reproductive tracts of humans and other animals. These microbes cause inflammatory bowel disease, post-weaning diarrhea in pigs, and bacterial vaginosis in humans. Work conducted by Hill’s research team will help identify new genes and biotechnology tools to counter these problems.

“These CFI investments will provide our leading researchers with the resources they need to make a difference by addressing key issues such as hepatitis C, osteoporosis, and strokes,” said Karen Chad, acting U of S vice-president of research.

“Most of the technological leaps throughout the 20th century have been the direct result of research,” said Saskatoon-Humboldt MP Brad Trost. “By investing in these research projects at the University of Saskatchewan today, the lives of Canadians will be improved and the economy strengthened in a multitude of ways.”

This year, a total of $45.5 million in new funds was awarded across Canada under the Leaders Opportunity Fund to support 251 projects at 44 institutions.

“This CFI investment will further develop the University of Saskatchewan’s global reputation as a place where outstanding research and training is being conducted,” said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, president and CEO of the CFI. “We can say with conviction that Canada has become a place where world-class researchers want to be.”
Click here to view a complete list of the projects funded at the U of S.