In 2012, Higher Education Strategy Associates ranked SFU's research performance in the top 10 amongst Canadian universities both for social science and humanities and for science and engineering – the only comprehensive university to earn this dual honour.
 
Judging by recent research funding announcements, SFU is already on course to strengthen its research record in 2013.  
 
Last week, SFU was named recipient of $2.25 million from the provincial government’s Leading Edge Endowment Fund program, and a further $1.5 million from the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation, to create the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation BC Leadership Chair in Multimodal Technology for Healthcare Innovation.  
 
The Chair will be held by Dr. Ryan D’Arcy, a neuroscientist from Halifax who is renowned for using non-invasive neurotechnologies to assess, diagnose, and treat impaired brain function. 

In his new position, Dr. D’Arcy will help link SFU’s Faculty of Applied Sciences with two important community partners – Surrey Memorial Hospital and the Fraser Health Authority – to build capacity in medical technology innovation in the South Fraser region.  
 
Earlier in January, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation announced that SFU will receive $8.7 million in infrastructure funding for two major research endeavours.   

Of that, $7.2-million has been allocated to the Prometheus Project in materials science and engineering (led by SFU Chemistry professor Neil Branda), and $1 million to the national ATLAS Tier 1 Data Centre housed at TRIUMF in Vancouver (led by SFU Physics professor Michel Vetterli).  
 
At the announcement last week, VP Research Mario Pinto commented on the pertinence of the titles of these two projects, noting that in Greek mythology Prometheus and Atlas were brothers.

Atlas – who held the weight of the universe on his shoulders – is therefore an apt name for a project aimed at “mapping the secrets of the universe.”

Prometheus – considered to be a benefactor and protector of mankind – is likewise a fitting title for a project that aims to improve human lives through the development of advanced materials and devices.
 
News of this new research funding comes on the heels of the announcement late last year that the Canadian International Development Agency has selected SFU’s Beedie School of Business and UBC’s Keevil School of Mining to lead the creation of the Canadian International Institute for Extractive Practices.

This $25-million initiative will serve as a global resource to further sustainable mining practices, and to help developing countries benefit from natural resources in environmentally and socially responsible ways.  
 
From medical technologies to materials science, and from fundamental physics to sustainable mining, these recent research funding successes provide welcome evidence that SFU is gaining greater recognition and support for being a university committed to “engaging research.”