Welcome to this week’s Midweek Memo. In this issue, read about a business birthday for Cascadia Seaweed, a tech student transfer, and and how FortisBC is preparing for renewable energy demand.

Now, onto today’s briefing. It’s 745 words, a three-minute read.

Feds announce $60 million for research projects

Two research projects from the University of Victoria were included in a $60 million funding announcement from the federal government on Monday. Through the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF), the feds will support 32 interdisciplinary research teams involving 424 researchers from 45 countries.

“New Frontiers in Research Funding supports the kind of highly innovative, engaged and impactful research at which UVic scholars excel,” said Lisa Kalynchuk, UVic’s vice-president of research and innovation. “By funding these two projects, the Government of Canada is helping UVic advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals to make a difference in the lives and livelihoods of people from the Amazon to the Arctic.” 

Nearly $2.5 million of that funding will go to University of Victoria geographer Maycira Costa. Costa is researching ways to turn seaweed overgrowth in the Amazon and Mesoamerican reef into economic benefits.

For his work on safe sea ice travel, fellow UVic geographer Randall Scharien will receive $1.5 million. Scharien’s work focuses on using advanced environmental data-based tools to improving mapping and allow Inuit communities to safely travel over constantly changing sea ice.

SPONSORED BY COAST: AN INITIATIVE OF THE SOUTH ISLAND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP

COAST Talks: Indigenous Blue Tourism

Reserve your spot for the upcoming COAST Talks Webinar! Explore the dynamic relationship between Indigenous perspectives and the evolving world of blue tourism. Join discussions driving sustainable and inclusive futures for coastal communities. Register here!

📰 More Victoria innovation news

⚡️ Light me up: Roger Dall’Antonia, CEO of FortisBC, joined the latest Chamber Chat to discuss increasing demand for sustainable and renewable energy.

📚 Ask me what I learned: Camosun College student Robert Kroeger was recognized at the VIATEC Awards. After working in leadership roles in restaurants, Kroeger made the switch to tech and is studying information and computer systems.

🌊 Under the sea: Cascadia Seaweed, based in Sidney, celebrated five years of business. Cascadia Seaweed is a certified B Corp focused on sustainable agriculture and food security.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Executive in Residence at COAST

• Technical Analyst at Mosaic Forest Management

• Project Manager at Agilyx Group

Hiring in Victoria? Reply to this email and let us know!

📅 Upcoming events

June 4-25 | Data Management & Analytics Roadshow 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of data and analytics, this conference stands as a beacon for industry leaders, professionals, and innovators seeking to navigate the complexities of today’s information age. Discussions will unravel the paramount importance of data governance, efficient data management, and the strategic application of AI.

From understanding strategic frameworks for robust data governance to exploring the ethical implementation of AI, attendees can anticipate gaining actionable perspectives and knowledge essential for navigating the intricacies of the information age.

June 19 | Growing Pacific Canada's Sustainable Blue Economy

COAST invites you to their first informal meet and greet in Port Alberni with innovators, industry leaders and stakeholders involved in B.C.'s ocean and marine industries. This is a community fast becoming known for its collaborative, innovative approach to nurturing its ocean industry.

Ongoing | Entry for the Health Terminology and Interoperability Standards Certificate Program

In the Health Terminology and Interoperability Standards Certificate Program (HTIS) offered by the University of Victoria's School of Health Information Science, you will learn about the exciting field of standards and interoperability, critical topics for making healthcare more modern and efficient. Learn how data is represented, exchanged, standardized, and applied to improve our healthcare systems and about the details, challenges, implementations, and acceptance of modern data-driven health information exchange.

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.

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