Two new Canada Research Chairs awarded at Ryerson University

Ryerson University is pleased to announce the naming of two professors as Canada Research Chairs.

Professors Michael Olson (Chemistry and Biology) and Bilal Farooq (Civil Engineering) were awarded chairs in the most recent competition.

An investment in post-secondary institutions to retain some of the country’s brightest and most innovative minds and attract new talent, the Canada Research Chair program (external link)  allows researchers to create robust research portfolios over a number of years.

Professor Olson was named a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Molecular Cell Biology. His research seeks to identify and understand the characteristics of cancer cells that are prone to migrate from their primary sites to secondary sites (known as metastasis) so that drugs can be created to treat cancer more effectively. “By examining the way that cancer cells change their shape, we aim to characterize those that could more readily spread in order to create targeted treatments that will improve the long-term survival of cancer patients,” said Olson.

Professor Farooq was named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Disruptive Transportation Technologies and Services. His work examines emerging technologies – such as connected and automated vehicles and ride-hailing services – that are shaping today and tomorrow’s transportation systems. “Using sensor systems combined with big data, we can build prediction models that can be used to inform policy and make the most efficient use of these disruptive technologies,” said professor Farooq.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to see the investment in these important fields of city building and of biomedical research,” said Steven N. Liss, vice-president, research and innovation. “These two new Canada Research Chairs will help shape policy in how new technology is implemented on our roads and will advance our knowledge of cancer with the potential to reduce life-threatening reoccurrences.”