A transdisciplinary approach transforms Arctic security

Canada’s Arctic is experiencing rapid change and warming that is leading to sea ice loss and threatening northern communities. The capacity to predict these environmental change thresholds is increasingly important to protect and secure the ecosystems and people that live there. 

A team led by Dr. Tricia Stadnyk, PhD, of the University of Calgary, is co-developing a community-led prediction system with help from the New Frontiers in Research Fund’s (NFRF) Exploration Stream. Its Integrated Arctic Monitoring and Prediction System (IAMPS) is a novel, data-driven platform that will help the team model and predict changes in Canada’s cryosphere (lake, river and sea ice, snowpacks, runoff, stream temperature, and water quality) in real time. 

With this data, the hope is to identify policy gaps, strengthen science-driven policy and support Arctic security while meeting local needs of communities. 

Dr. Myrle Ballard, PhD, co-principal investigator on the project and associate professor in the Department of Earth, Energy and Environment, Faculty of Science, shares that this project is really about water security, creating partnerships and the need for knowledge transfer to communities. 

“We’re generating new information and getting people involved, communities, stakeholders, businesspeople, whatever the case may be,” says Ballard, Canadian Research Chair Tier II in Indigenous Science and Sustainability Science. 

Ballard’s expertise and research focus on Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous science and water quality will guide their research approach and support partnerships grounded in the 4 R’s of Indigenous Research, a framework for conducting Indigenous research that is respectful, reciprocal, relevant and responsible, established by Indigenous scholars in 2001. 

“Indigenous science is really important whenever we’re doing projects with the land, water, fauna, and we have to involve the Indigenous people who know the Indigenous science,” says Ballard. 

Additionally, the team’s transdisciplinary approach brings different expertise together to build upon terrestrial and ocean models, water policy, Arctic security and Indigenous science. 

“Transdisciplinary research is like making a pot of soup and each expertise adds to the flavour. In the end, you have this wonderful pot of soup,” says Ballard. 

The project, titled Transforming Arctic Security by Integrating Prediction Science and Policy, includes co-applicants Dr. Lincoln Xu, PhD (Schulich School of Engineering), Dr. Guillaume Lhermie, DVM, PhD (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine), Dr. Rob Huebert, PhD (Faculty of Arts), and Dr. Paul Myers, PhD (University of Alberta).

UCalgary NFRF-Exploration funding

In early May, the Government of Canada announced the NFRF Exploration stream-funded projects, six of which are UCalgary-led and totalling a combined $1.5 million. 

“Canada is a global leader in research and innovation, and the May 13 investment strengthens our position in an increasingly competitive world,” says the Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. “By backing top talent and bold ideas, we are driving economic growth, attracting the best minds and turning Canadian discoveries into real-world solutions that will shape our future.”

Additional UCalgary funded projects

A multi-disciplinary platform to promote regeneration of the central nervous system

• Primary investigator: Dr. Wee Yong, PhD, Cumming School of Medicine
• Co-principal investigator: Dr. Chang-Chun Ling, Faculty of Science

Defining Wildfire Smoke Chemical-Microbiome Signatures to Transform Precision Airway Medicine 

• Primary investigator: Dr. Christina Thornton, BSc’09, MD’16, PhD’16, PGME’19, PGME’21, Cumming School of Medicine
• Co-applicant: Dr. Ran Zhao, PhD, University of Alberta

Enhancing understanding of the ecology and evolution of sensitive touch using a cross-species and multidisciplinary approach 

• Primary investigator: Dr. Steven Prescott, MD, PhD, Cumming School of Medicine
• Co-principal investigator: Dr. Amanda Melin, BSc’03, MA’06, PhD’11, Faculty of Arts

Reconstructive Preservation: Designing Resilient Digital Heritage for the Far Future 

• Primary investigator: Dr. Peter Dawson, PhD’98, Faculty of Arts
• Co-principal investigator: Dr. John Aycock, BSc’92, PhD, Faculty of Science
• Co-applicants: Dr. Faramarz Samavati, PhD, Faculty of Science; Dr. Katie Biittner, MacEwan University; Dr. Neha Gupta, PhD, University of British Columbia; Dr. Christine Schreyer, PhD, University of British Columbia

Switching Off Pain: Targeting NaV1.7’s Regulatory Hotspot 

• Primary investigator: Dr. Omid Haji-Ghassemi, PhD, Faculty of Science
• Co-applicant: Dr. Gerald Zamponi, PhD’94, Cumming School of Medicine