Trent University is expanding international research partnerships through the International Institute for Environmental Studies (IIES), welcoming France's University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA) as the newest member of the global network and creating new opportunities for collaborative research, student mobility, and global knowledge exchange. 

The agreement was formalized during a visit at Trent by the URCA delegation that included Christophe Clément, president of URCA, Hélène Lacroix-Dorey, director of the EXEBIO Institute, Nicolas Paulien, international strategy officer of the EXEBIO Institute, and Claire Moreau, strategic projects manager. 

"Establishing research collaborations with new institutions such as URCA and EXEBIO allows us to propel research inquiry that aims to address complex global challenges, while opening doors for educational and cultural exchange," said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University.  

As a new member of the network, URCA will actively contribute to the mission of IIES, an international network dedicated to advancing transdisciplinary research and collaboration to address environmental and societal challenges.  

"We are delighted to welcome URCA to the IIES network" said Professor Dang, co-director of the IIES. "Each partner brings distinct expertise, perspectives, and experience to our shared mission. By combining these strengths, we amplify new opportunities for researchers and students to collaborate across disciplines and institutions, and work together toward solutions to environmental and societal challenges " 

Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research
With shared interests and strengths in sustainable agriculture, environmental and climate sciences, green chemistry, advanced materials, and environmental remediation, Trent, URCA and EXEBIO can contribute distinct yet relevant expertise to collaborative projects.  

As part of the visit by URCA and the EXEBIO Institute, Dr. Andrew Vreugdenhil, a chemistry professor at Trent, led tours of the Chemical Sciences Building and research labs engaged in related work. The delegation learned about Professor Jen Hendel's work in glycoscience and biorefining, including the development of carbohydrate-based molecules for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Professor Jun-Ray Macairan spoke to his work on sustainable nanomaterials designed to detect and remove pollutants such as microplastics, heavy metals, and organic contaminants. Professor Vreugdenhil also showcased his research on transforming mining and construction waste into advanced materials for environmental remediation and energy storage. 

"The most impactful research increasingly happens at the intersections of disciplines, institutions, and communities," said Dr. Tana Allen, vice-president, Research & Innovation at Trent University. "Partnerships like this connect Trent's strengths in interdisciplinary and environmental research with collaborators around the world, helping us generate new knowledge and develop solutions that benefit communities both locally and globally." 

This December, URCA and the EXEBIO Institute will host the fourth edition of the IIES Symposium on Transdisciplinary Research for a Healthy Planet in France. Researchers from Trent are invited to participate alongside international colleagues exploring solutions to environmental sustainability, health, and resilience challenges. 

Learn more about the International Institute for Environmental Studies and Chemistry at Trent.