On Wednesday morning, MPP Sophie Kiwala and Queen’s Vice-Principal (Research) John Fisher announced nearly $3 million in provincial funding for 17 researchers at the University.

With over a dozen disciplines represented in the funding, Queen’s was provided with this financial backing through the Ontario Research Fund (ORF) to winners of the Early Research Award and Small Infrastructure Fund contests.

Three Queen’s researchers were the recipients of the Early Research Award, which supports the creation of new research teams. Additionally, 14 researchers were granted funds through the ORF Small Infrastructure fund, meant to cover costs associated with research. This includes acquiring new equipment and maintaining laboratories.

In front of a crowd in the Queen’s Cancer Research Institute Lobby on Mar. 14, Kiwala said “innovative research is essential for future economic growth.”

“Ontario is supporting researchers that will benefit people across our province … I am thrilled with the investments being made in projects in Kingston and across Ontario,” she continued.

As part of the announcement, Dr. Madhuri Koti, an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, was recognized as a winner of the Early Research Award. Koti’s research explores methods of treating ovarian cancer and strengthening the immune system.

Koti told the crowd, “this reward will allow me to train more young researchers and make them continue to have hope for further funding to contribute to science.”

Earning funds from the Ontario Research Fund is no easy task. Recipients’ proposals are evaluated on the quality of research and how it will benefit Ontarians in the long run.

For Fisher, this funding will create a positive ripple effect across the province.

“Today’s funding announcement speaks not only to the ongoing research excellence demonstrated by our faculty, but also to the future potential their work holds in addressing exciting challenges in Ontario,” Fisher said.