Research stories

Our investments support research that benefits Canadians

In CFI-funded labs and facilities across the country, researchers in all stages of their careers are making discoveries, supporting a robust innovation ecosystem and helping solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. 

Portrait of Volker Gerdts Director and CEO of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are global leaders in pandemic preparedness

In 2002, German researcher Volker Gerdts relocated to Saskatoon. Cutting-edge vaccine research was the attraction. Now he is at the helm of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO).
Listen to the podcast
Abstract landscape with torn deckled paper edges.
article
British Columbia

Remaking connections through art(ifacts)

Kristen Barnett is leading an Indigenous archaeology lab that will help communities reconnect with rematriated items
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Portrait of Volker Gerdts Director and CEO of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)
podcast
Saskatchewan

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are global leaders in pandemic preparedness

In 2002, German researcher Volker Gerdts relocated to Saskatoon. Cutting-edge vaccine research was the attraction. Now he is at the helm of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO).
All podcasts
Image of various cellphones on a wooden table displaying photos of researchers.
video

A promising future, now: 25 years of investing in ideas that change our world

The Canada Foundation for Innovation has supported cutting-edge research in Canada for 25 years. In these videos, researchers reflect on how CFI funding has advanced their work and how future generations will benefit. They tell passionate stories of curiosity, commitment and innovation.
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Portrait of Volker Gerdts Director and CEO of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)
podcast
Saskatchewan

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are global leaders in pandemic preparedness

In 2002, German researcher Volker Gerdts relocated to Saskatoon. Cutting-edge vaccine research was the attraction. Now he is at the helm of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO).
Abstract landscape with torn deckled paper edges.
article
British Columbia

Remaking connections through art(ifacts)

Kristen Barnett is leading an Indigenous archaeology lab that will help communities reconnect with rematriated items
A woman perches on the pointing finger of a robot hand, looking into the distance with binoculars.
article
Quebec

Turbo-boosting pharmaceutical breakthroughs

Discovering a new drug can feel like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Ré Mansbach is developing AI-powered tools to streamline those searches.
A graphic showing a 3D pixelated human head surrounded by a cloud of letters.
article
Ontario

Creating ethical AI

By probing the sociocultural risks of artificial intelligence, Lai-Tze Fan is helping create technologies with fairness built in
A graphic of two highways intersecting with bumper-to-bumper colourful cars.
article
Ontario

Using artificial intelligence to help highways hum

Could AI improve traffic flow, cut emissions and get you home sooner? Hao Yang thinks so.
A graphic depicting the shape of a butterfly made up of many small insects.
article
Quebec

Taking AI to the front lines of climate action

From monitoring moths to tracking crop yields from space, David Rolnick is building a suite of machine-learning tools to address the climate crisis
Blue-toned illustration of a telescope in a mountainous landscape. In the background, coded data seems to be falling from the sky.
article
Quebec

Unravelling the secrets of the universe: Deep learning in astronomy

Laurence Perreault-Levasseur and her team at Université de Montréal are using deep learning in astronomy to develop and apply analysis methods that will do nothing short of helping us better understand the universe itself while improving medical imaging and climate modelling.
Portrait of Lianna Genovese
article
Ontario

Building prosperity by engineering life-changing assistive technologies

Lianna Genovese — Founder and CEO, ImaginAble Solutions
Portrait of Nafissa Ismail professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa.
podcast
Ontario

How neuroendocrinology crosses sectors to create promising new insights

Nafissa Ismail focuses on the effects of hormones on the brain to pin down the interactions between our organs and our emotions
Hilary Earl kneels on the floor with her laptop as she prepares for an interview. In the foreground is a video camera.
article

Investigating the causes — and consequences — of war and genocide

How immersive simulation, film, video and podcasting tools are giving Hilary Earl and her colleagues fresh insights into the history of state-sponsored violence
Portrait of Kritika Tyagi
article
Ontario

Building prosperity by reimagining the building blocks of plastics

Kritika Tyagi — Co-founder, Head of Product, erthos®
Portrait of Paul Addo
article
Alberta

Building prosperity by recycling greenhouse gas emissions

Paul Addo — Co-founder and CEO, SeeO2 Energy