Message from Minister Iain Black

Research has the potential to improve every aspect of our lives – from our economy to our environment to our health. That’s why the government of British Columbia has invested more than $1.7 billion in research and innovation – including over $56 million in the Leading Edge Endowment Fund.

LEEF is attracting world-class scientists to our province, and keeping them here. Thanks to their expertise, B.C. is building on its reputation for top-notch research that translates into long-term technological, economic and social benefits.

Since LEEF’s last newsletter in Spring 2009, we’ve announced three more chairs – two at the University of B.C., and one at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. You’ll read more about what they do in the rest of this newsletter – and why their work is important to us all.

I congratulate Deborah Henderson, François Bénard and Philip Evans on their new appointments – and LEEF for its continued work to spur research and new knowledge in this province.