Fleming College

NSERC College-University Idea to Innovation grant will support research of Euglena as a wastewater management solution

City of Kawartha Lakes ON – (April 8, 2015) – Fleming College’s Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment (CAWT) and Trent University will receive federal research funding through a College-University Idea to Innovation grant, part of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s (NSERC) College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program.

The two institutions will jointly receive $749,820 over three years for research of Euglena as a wastewater management solution.

Peterborough’s Noble Purification Inc., a water filtration company based at Trent University, has shown that Euglena, a type of algae, can absorb contaminants from wastewater. Researchers from Trent and the CAWT will use the funding to determine Euglena’s capabilities in removing contaminants from industrial wastewater sources such as mines, reveal its genetic profile, as well as develop the applied research into commercially viable techniques.

“The results of this research will not only further our knowledge and understanding of Euglena as a wastewater management solution, but it will also further the development of the technology and provide a cost-effective alternative solution to current wastewater treatment methods,” said Mary Lou McLean, Director of Applied Research at Fleming College.

“We are very pleased that Trent and Fleming are once again partnering on a major project,” remarked Dr. Neil Emery, Vice-President of Research & International at Trent University. “Our two institutions have an outstanding record of co-ventures, especially in environmental research and education, the latest of which is this exciting new project and resulting NSERC grant to help advance the innovative Noble Purification Euglena Bio-filtration technology.”

A separate $146,276 grant will be used to replace old equipment, which will allow the CAWT to enhance efficiency and expand its capacity to do water quality analyses.

“NSERC is proud to support applied research and technology transfer work at Canada’s community colleges. Building college research capacities to help businesses innovate, will create economic growth, and train the next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs. From building specialized equipment to developing new research centres, the College and Community Innovation program supports world-class research and innovation in communities all across the country,” said Dr. B. Mario Pinto, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

The Honourable Minister of State (Science and Technology), Ed Holder, today announced over $40 million in grants to colleges across Canada to support applied research and development activities with industry. The 38 projects will focus on building local innovation capacity in key areas including manufacturing, green buildings and mobile technology, while training the next generation of highly skilled Canadians. Colleges also received support to purchase specialized research equipment.

“Our government’s providing record investments necessary to push the boundaries of knowledge, create jobs, and improve the quality of life of Canadians. Our government is committed to creating the conditions that will allow entrepreneurship to thrive in this country. The collaboration between colleges and local industrial partners generates new products and ideas, creating long-term prosperity for the benefit of all Canadians,” said Minister of State (Science and Technology) Ed Holder.

About Noble Purification Inc.
Founded by 20-year-old Adam Noble and Andressa Lacerda as a result of research he conducted for the Canada Wide Science Fair while in high school, Noble Purification Inc. initially focused on extracting silver nanoparticles from wastewater using Euglena’s unique properties. The company has also announced a new Euglena BioFiltration System, based on breakthrough research conducted at Trent, showing that Euglena can absorb many different pollutants in water, from phosphates to lead. Noble Purification Inc. is headquartered at The Cube incubator at Trent University, where it is part of the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster’s technology-focused business incubation program. There is great potential for future projects associated with Noble Purification, in partnership with the research capacity at Trent University and Fleming College.

About Fleming College
Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Science, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has 5,900 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and more than 68,000 alumni.

About Trent University
One of Canada’s top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that’s personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. As the University celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2014/15, Trent’s unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent’s students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent’s Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham delivers a distinct mix of programming in the GTA.
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For more information:
Laura Copeland
Communications Officer
Fleming College
laura.copeland@flemingcollege.ca
705.749.5530 x 1370

Kate Weersink
Media Relations & Strategic Communications Officer
Trent University
kateweersink@trentu.ca
705.748.1011 x6180

Andressa Lacerda
Chief Operations Officer
Noble Purification Inc
705-760-0740