Grant: Collaborative Research and Training Experience

Demand for highly qualified graduates who can apply new, state-of- the-art toxicology and analytical techniques to conduct environmental and human health monitoring and assessment has risen considerably over past several years. The expertise of these sought-after specialists is required to enable the innovations that will allow responsible resource development while improving environmental performance. The NSERC CREATE-Research in Environmental and Analytical Chemistry and Toxicology (REACT), is a nation-wide program that will offer a common multi-and inter-disciplinary training platform for students enrolled in Environmental and Analytical Chemistry and Toxicology graduate programs at the universities of Alberta, Carleton, Laval and Ottawa. CREATE-REACT is designed to enhance and add value to student training by providing them with advanced technical and job readiness skills. Its long term objective is to develop the multi-disciplinary training ground required to match the pace of toxicology research and innovation in Canada.Trainees will have the option of partially or fully participating in the CREATE Program, enabling them to best tailor their training in consideration of their regular program research/thesis and course work requirements. CREATE-REACT will have 7 distinct components to specifically enhance knowledge and professional skills and abilities of the students: A mandatory core course component; Advanced Specialized Course Work; Summer School; Research Day; Work Placement; Professional Development; and International Collaborations. With cross-sectorial and international collaborations, the CREATE-REACT will train a total of 143 high quality personnel with solid technical skills, the ability to think critically as well as the interdisciplinary skills to enable sustainable and competitive business performance in the industry and promote sound public policy based on the best science in academia and government.