Province gives $5.2M to research, UBCO gets $163K

From medical ultrasound machines to cutting-edge forensic fingerprinting, three of B.C.'s universities have been given a total of $5.2 million towards research and innovation.

The three universities, the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus (UBCO) and Simon Fraser University (SFU), are getting research grants to help solve crime, save lives and reduce green house gas emissions.

Of the $5.2 million, the BCKDF is giving $163,000 to UBCO for wildlife and forestry research.

The money will help track large mammals, build partnerships between First Nations and industry leaders, as well as provide forestry and road development.

"The ongoing support of the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund plays a vital role in enabling outstanding research at UBC that generates meaningful societal and economic impacts for our provincial, national and global communities," stated Philip Barker, associate vice-president research, UBC, and vice-principal research, UBC Okanagan.

Of the $5.2 million, the BCKDF is giving $3.1 million to UBC for 18 different research projects.

One of the research projects includes increasing usability and medical ultrasound machines so they can be used outside of large hospitals and be accessible to various medical offices.

That particular project is getting $639,322 toward researching more quantitative imaging for a diagnosis therapy project.

The research is expected to help to easily identify diseases like prostate cancer and liver disease.

The BCKDF is also giving $1.9 million to SFU for five research projects.

One of SFU's projects is getting $400,000 to further develop isotope fingerprinting.

The research will be used to aid identification in forensics departments, help RCMP investigations, as well as the B.C. Coroners Service.

"Supporting research is a strategic initiative of our #BCTECH Strategy and the diversity of active B.C. research is a hallmark of a healthy technology sector," said Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services.

Since 2001, $610 million has been put towards research and innovation through the BCKDF.

Here is the complete list of the BCKDF projects.