One of the world’s foremost authorities and leading scientists in the groundbreaking field of biomaterials, Dr. Suresh Narine ‘91, was one of just 11 academics across the province chosen to represent the innovative research taking place at Ontario universities on May 18, 2016 in Ottawa at Parliament Hill. 

The Guyanese-born researcher and Trent alumnus was joined by graduate student Michael Floros and Trent’s vice-president of Research and Innovation, Dr. Neil Emery, at the pop-up research park and answered the question, “can fats and oils become batteries, antibacterials and super plastics?” at their research booth. Their research, focused on biomaterials, was included in a wide spectrum of other fields and disciplines highlighted at the pop-up event.

“It is imperative that our country’s highest decision makers, our parliamentarians, understand, support and promote the role of university research in the trajectory of Canada’s development and Canadian identity,” says Professor Narine. “I was delighted to be able to engage with our Members of Parliament to help them understand what a pivotal role university-led research plays.”

Research Matters is a public outreach initiative that explores how Ontario university research affects everyday life, and improves the ways people live, work and play. Designed to build bridges between university campuses and other sectors, the pop-up research park at Parliament Hill was a chance for researchers at Ontario’s university’s to engage with policy makers.