FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ADDS EXPERTISE TO 蹤獲扞⑹
November 12, 2004 for immediate release
A climate change expert from a world-renowned applied mathematicsresearch institute is taking up a new post at 蹤獲扞⑹ as a federallyfunded Canada Research Chair in Climate Prediction and Predictability.The appointment was part of an announcement made today in Vancouver byPrime Minister Paul Martin.
In January, Youmin (promounced Yeoman) Tang will leave New YorkUniversitys Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences and come to蹤獲扞⑹. His research uses sophisticated numerical models and mathematicaltools to predict climate and to put confidence limits on thepredictions a significant new approach among researchersinvestigating natural phenomena such as El Nino. More accurate seasonalclimate prediction is of great value to many sectors of the Canadianeconomy, including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, tourism, and powergeneration.
Over the past several decades, average temperatures have been risingfaster in the North than in the mid-latitudes, says Max Blouw,Vice-President Research at 蹤獲扞⑹. This has allowed 蹤獲扞⑹ to build towarda centre for climate change research, especially for those researcherswho are interested in being where the action is in this field. A numberof faculty members are already engaged in research on this topic. DrTangs appointment will augment the pool of expertise that is beingdeveloped, and we are hoping to make other appointments in climatestudies at similarly high levels of research accomplishment. Thefederal governments commitment to the Canada Research Chairs programis providing an enhanced opportunity for universities such as 蹤獲扞⑹ todevelop world-class expertise in select disciplines.
Dr Tang will be the third Canada Research Chair at 蹤獲扞⑹, joining GregHalseth (rural and small town studies) and Lito Arocena (soil science).The University is hoping to attract another five Canada Research Chairsin the near future. In 2000, the Government of Canada allocated $900million to establish 2,000 research professorshipsthe Canada ResearchChairsin universities across the country.