October 21, 2005 Source: Brock University:
http://www.brocku.ca/webnews/displaystory.phtml?TEMPLATE=template.html&sid=1374 Brock student receives funding from Canadian Institutes of Health Research A student in Brock's Master of Science program has been named the recipient of a Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS) Master's Award totaling $17,500 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Laura MacPherson, of Corunna, Ontario was recognized for her research into an enzyme involved in the process of fat oxidization, which plays a pivotal role in the onset of diseases including type 2 diabetes and obesity. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), is a key enzyme complex that regulates oxidative glucose disposal, and thereby indirectly the proportion of fat and carbohydrate oxidized in the body. MacPherson also completed her undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Health Sciences at Brock. "Laura is an excellent student, and we are pleased that she chose to continue her studies here at Brock," said Professor Sandra Peters, Department of Physical Education and Kinesiology, and MacPherson's faculty advisor. "Her commitment to her research and to her academic pursuits, are indicators of her tenacity and drive. She seeks to be successful in everything she does." "Health research is one of Canada's major engines of productivity, economic growth, and global competitiveness for the 21st century, driving the development of new products and services, attracting investment and creating jobs for Canada's highly trained workforce," said John Maloney, Member of Parliament, whose riding includes Brock University. "CIHR is proud to support the work of outstanding investigators in universities like Brock, hospitals and research institutions across the country." This is the latest in a line of accolades for MacPherson. Over the course of her studies at Brock, MacPherson has been the recipient of an Ontario Graduate Scholarship, a Natural Science and Engineering Research Council Undergraduate Student Research Award, a Brock University Alumni Association Award, and was on the Dean's Honour List. In addition to her academic achievements, MacPherson is also an accomplished varsity athlete with the Brock swim team, and recipient of the Athletic Director's Award, and the President's Surgite Award for outstanding involvement and accomplishments at Brock. MacPherson's CIHR award was among more than 1600 health research grants worth more than $354 million recently announced by the Minister of Health and CIHR. This is the largest health research grant announcement made by CIHR to date. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR 's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to close to 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. For more information, contact Kevin J. Grout, Communications Officer at Brock, at 905-688-5550, ext. 4690; e-mail: kgrout@brocku.ca
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