Left to right: The Honourable Elizabeth Witmer, Dean of Research and Graduate Studies Chris Metcalfe and Trent President Bonnie Patterson.

Trent University today welcomed the Honourable Elizabeth Witmer, Minister of the Environment, who visited the university's Water Quality Centre.

During the tour, the Minister met with Bonnie M. Patterson, President and Vice Chancellor, university officials, and faculty involved in water quality research.

Minister Witmer stated she was impressed to know "that the research that will ultimately benefit all Ontarians is being conducted right here in our own province. I'd like to congratulate everyone involved in the operation of the Water Centre for being a model of innovation and research."

President Patterson commended the Minister for her knowledge and interest in environmental research that is occurring at Trent.

"As an elected representative from the Waterloo area where there are several universities, Minister Witmer is well aware of the important contributions that universities are making to society through their research," says Patterson. "We are very grateful that she chose to spend time at Trent to see how our faculty and students are conducting high levels of research in water quality and testing. Given the priority Canadians are now giving to water quality issues, we believe Trent University is on the cutting edge in the types of research we are pursuing."

The President added that the visit symbolizes an important step in the university's on-going goal of building stronger working relationships with both the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The Water Quality Centre was established in 1998 to develop analytical techniques that will provide a more rapid and cost effective means to deal with emerging issues in water protection. The centre conducts research into: mercury levels in aquatic areas; reaction of toxic metals with natural organic substances; effects of hydrocarbons on fish and wildlife species; pharmaceutical drugs in grey water waste; and concentration of drugs such as estrogen in water systems.

Over $2.4-million in funding for the centre was provided by the government of Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund, the federal Canadian Foundation for Innovation and private sector donations. Among primarily undergraduate universities in Canada, Trent consistently ranks either first or second in total per capita funding from national funding agencies and in major faculty research awards.

Trent University's research strategy focuses on eight priority research areas: archaeology; environmental and resource management; Canadian studies; native studies; cultural studies; health studies; quantitative modeling; and international studies.

More information on Trent's Water Quality Centre can be found at www.trentu.ca/wqc/

Distribution: Peterborough, Regional