News & Events

Three Ryerson researchers are recipients of more than $1.6 million in funding announced on campus this week by the Minister of Research and Innovation.

The projects include urban energy, helping deaf people 'hear' music through vibrations and developing longer-lasting joint replacements.

The Ryerson projects were part of a larger announcement by Minister Glen Murray of $40 million to 531 leading-edge researchers in Toronto.

The largest Ryerson award went to Bala Venkatesh, electrical and computer engineering professor, for his Future Urban Electric Systems (FUES) project. Venkatesh, who is the academic director of Ryerson's Centre for Urban Energy, is developing new urban electric systems that incorporate smart grid technology, urban solo farms, large-scale energy storage and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle chargers. His work is aiming to transform the way energy is generated and used in cities and establish Ontario as a leader in urban energy research.

Two Ryerson faculty were named recipients of Early Researcher Awards: Frank Russo, director of the Science of Music, Auditory Research and Technology lab, and Habiba Bougherara, mechanical and industrial engineering professor. They will each receive funding of $140,000.

The announcement was attended by students, faculty, staff and industry professionals. Supporting Ontario researchers is part of the province's strategy to create the next generation of jobs. In his address, Murray mentioned that his favourite project at Ryerson is the Digital Media Zone because graduates leave with a business already implemented and which began while they were still in school.

"We're proud of the exceptional work our Toronto researchers do. Their contributions are making the world a better place, starting right here with new ideas and jobs, which fuel job creation and economic growth, and our government is proud to support them," Murray said.

President Sheldon Levy said the projects supported by the province will help researchers develop ways to make life better in Ontario.

"The scope of research undertaken by this year's award winners is truly awesome. It includes new ways to detect and treat cancer and other diseases, meet future energy needs and develop better methods for predicting earthquakes. This work leads to one end - a better future for us all. The province's commitment to supporting research has given the best and brightest the resources they need to advance Ontario's innovation agenda," Levy said.

Russo is helping deaf and hard of hearing people 'hear' music. He has been developing methods that allow people with severe hearing problems to feel music through vibrations. He is now working on ways to enhance their music experiences further using vision as well as touch. His work could also lead to new ways to restore hearing.

Bougherara is developing long-lasting joint replacements. Current medical implants, including hip and knee replacements, last between 10 and 15 years. After that patients face a repeat of the original surgery. Bougherara is designing new biomaterials for medical implants. These implants will last substantially longer, reducing the number of surgeries a patient requires and cutting health care costs.