News
March 17, 2020
COVID-19 Update
Following the guidelines from the World Health Organization and the Public Health Agency of Canada, the BWRC offices have decided to close in an effort to practice social distancing. Our faculty and staff are currently working from home and are accessible by email.
We have cancelled our upcoming events for the time being including our monthly Seminar Series and the 2020 WatIF conference.
We echo the recommendations of the WHO and PHAC and encourage everyone to practice social distancing and proper hand hygiene in order to flatten the curve.
Thank you,
BWRC Administration
March 10, 2020
Graduate Diploma in Water and Human Health
We are currently accepting applications for our Graduate Diploma in Water and Human Health Diploma for September 2020 start!
See our education page for more details and how to register:
https://waterresearchcentre.ca/whh-about/
March 9, 2020
8th Queen's Northern Research Symposium
If you are working on or interested in northern-related research, the 8th Queen's Northern Research Symposium is this April 16th. The annual symposium aims to bring together students, postdoctoral fellows, researchers and professors from across Queen’s and other Universities to discuss northern research. This one-day symposium will provide opportunities for students, researchers and professors to participate in a day of presentations, networking and engaging scientific discussions.
Abstract and registration deadline is April 3rd!
For more information please see the website: https://queensnrs.wordpress.com/
February 26, 2020
Teck aftermath: Ottawa must reconcile big energy projects with climate policy
The decision by Teck Resources, one of Canada’s largest mining companies, to suspend the Frontier oilsands project surprised many. Had it gone ahead, the open-pit mine would have been built across 24,000 acres of boreal forest just north of Fort McMurray, Alta.
Commentators have blamed everything from the low price of oil to regulatory and political uncertainty and insinuations of socialism. What is clear, however, is that the decision is another blow to a federal government struggling to achieve a balance between climate action and resource development...
February 5, 2020
New research on Newfoundland seabirds is a window into thousands of years of change
“I was never expecting to see such big changes — it complicates the story,” says John Smol, a leading environmental change expert and paleolimnologist, of a recent study of storm-petrel populations off southeast Newfoundland’s coast.
In the study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B in late January 2020, Smol (a professor of...
January 22, 2020
Bird droppings provide clues to environmental change
Led by Queen’s researchers, a collaborative research team of Canadian universities (Queen’s University, University of Ottawa, Memorial University of Newfoundland) and government scientists have identified concerning trends in the population size of Leach’s Storm-petrels, a vulnerable seabird that mainly lives on Baccalieu Island, 64 km north of St. John’s...
January 9, 2020
Dr. Kevin Mumford receives FEAS Excellence in Research Award
Dr. Kevin Mumford, an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, is this year’s recipient of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science (FEAS) Excellence in Research Award.
The award recognizes outstanding contributions by faculty members to the research environment in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science (FEAS) at...
January 8, 2020
We're Hiring!
The BWRC is looking to hire a Reserach, Communication and Events Assistant for a Summer SWEP position (Job ID: 107510). The SWEP student will support the Centre in various research projects, events and outreach activities as well as overall marketing and communications throughout Summer 2020.
For more details, and to submit an application, please visit Queen's MyCareer.
January 7, 2020
Carlos Escobedo: Catching disease early with microtechnology
![[Carlos Escobedo]](https://engineering.queensu.ca/curiositycreates/images/Carlos-Escobedo.jpg)
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. Improvement in cancer treatments is dramatically improving survival rates; however, early detection is also critical to treating this disease. Carlos Escobedo’s research in microsystems and microstructures...
January 3, 2020
Dr. Brian Cumming wins the Rigler Award
Congratulations to Queen's researcher and BWRC affiliated faculty member, Dr. Brain Cumming, who has received the Society of Canadian Limnologists Rigler Award for life time achievement and contribution to the field of aquatic science in Canada.
December 29, 2019
7 things that could go right (or wrong) for Canada's energy sector in 2020
Queen's University expert and BWRC affiliated Faculty member, Dr. Warren Mabee, was interviewed by the CBC about Canada's energy sector heading into 2020
December 16, 2019
Happy Holidays from the BWRC!
Best wishes for a prosperous New Year from all of us at the Beaty Water Research Centre!
December 12, 2019
BWRC enhances Queen's Partnership with Matariki Network
Congratulations to BWRC Director, Pascale Champagne, on her Principal’s Development Fund, which will enhance Queen’s partnerships in the Matariki Network. She will work with colleagues from the University of Western Australia to advance the work of the BWRC and look for opportunities for the Canadian Algae Research and Technology Network.
December 4, 2019
Engineering Solutions: Leachate, liners, landfills, and learning
Human beings have undoubtedly been throwing things away for as long as we have had things to throw. These ancient middens – the predecessors of our modern landfills – provide a treasure trove of artefacts for archaeologists, who sift through discarded items for clues to how people once lived.
December 3, 2019
Partnering with Industry
BWRC affiliated Faculty, Stephen Brown & industry partner Douglas Wilton of TECTA-PDS at Ontario's Universities MPP Breakfast showing the world’s 1st automated & portable system for water testing with immediate results.
November 30, 2019
Dr. Bas Vriens joins BWRC
Welcome to Dr. Bas Vriens, Assistant Professor in the Queen's Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering to the BWRC and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Dr. Vriens is an environmental engineer and earth system scientist that is interested in the sources, behaviour and environmental footprints of trace metals in large-scale waste streams.
November 27, 2019
Wildlife are exposed to more pollution than previously thought
Sometimes, pollution is blatantly obvious: the iridescent slick of an oil spill, goopy algae washing up on a beach or black smoke belching from a smokestack. But, more often than not, pollution is more inconspicuous. Our air, water, land and wildlife are tainted with thousands of chemicals that we cannot see, smell or touch. It may not come as a surprise then, that this unnoticed pollution...
November 22, 2019
Highlighting interdisciplinary graduate research
The Beaty Water Research Centre recently hosted its second annual Research Symposium which provided students the opportunity to highlight their interdisciplinary graduate research and to build research collaborations. This year’s event was attended by more...
November 19, 2019
Connecting science, policy, and society
There is no argument that science can have a profound impact on developing and shaping the public policies that affect Canadians. However, the transmission of science from universities, research institutions, and industry into the hands of policy makers is not always a clear, direct route. There can be many bumps on...
November 15, 2019
2nd Annual BWRC Symposium
On November 13th, 2019, the Beaty Water Research Centre and LEADERS Program hosted its 2nd Annual Research Symposium. The Symposium was established to improve the flow and communication of ideas by bringing together researchers from Queen’s University and the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) who...
November 8, 2019
Warren Mabee Interviewd by CBC Morning
Warren Mabee of Queen's University in Kingston explains 'green' bonds which can be issued by a municipality to raise fund for projects to mitigate against climate change.
November 5, 2019
The Keystone Oil Spill No One's Talking About Will Be Nearly Impossible to Clean Up
“Once bitumen sinks to the bottom of a lake or wetland, it is much more problematic to clean up than conventional oil, which floats nicely and can be skimmed off the surface,” Diane Orihel, a professor in Aquatic Ecotoxicology at Queen’s University...
November 1, 2019
FEAS 125th Anniversary Research Symposium
Researchers, industry partners, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows from the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Queen’s University (FEAS) gathered in Mitchell Hall, October 24, for the inaugural FEAS Research Symposium celebrating its 125...
November 1, 2019
2nd Annual BWRC Symposium
On November 13th, 2019, the Beaty Water Research Centre and LEADERS Program will host its 2nd Annual Research Symposium. The Symposium was established to improve the flow and communication of ideas by bringing together researchers from Queen’s University and the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) who are often separated by departments or schools...
October 21, 2019
Dean Deluzio's Pancake Breakfast - Homecoming 2019
Hundreds of engineering alumni connected and reconnected in Mitchell Hall the Saturday morning of homecoming weekend, October 19, for Dean Deluzio's Pancake Breakfast. Alumni had the opportunity to tour Mitchell hall and visit the Beaty Water Research Centee, Ingenuity Labs, the Dunin-Deshpande Queen's...
October 18, 2019
Your federal candidates on single-use plastics: A Kingston perspective
Plastic shopping bags, straws, cutlery, disposable coffee cups, beverage bottles, food, and toiletry packaging invade our everyday lives. Ironically, the attributes that make plastic such a marketable material – its durability...
October 4, 2019
Students & the University need to better protect Lake Ontario
Like it or not, you are Lake Ontario. Our bodies are about 60 per cent water, and the water we drink here in Kingston is from the lake—a lake that we often don’t do an adequate job of preserving.
The good news is that this water is clean and safe. It’s not perfect, but it’s some of the best drinking water in the world, and we’re lucky to have access to it...
September 30, 2019
BWRC hosts South Korean delegates
On September 20th, the Beaty Water Research Centre hosted delegates from 23 individual cities across South Korea. The delegates were taken on a tour of our state-of-the-art laboratories, given and overview of the activities of the Centre and had the opportunity to discuss unique and critical water issues.
September 27th, 2019
Working towards a sustainable future
Queen’s recognizes that climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century, and it is helping to create a more sustainable world through the knowledge and innovations that are being produced by researchers in all areas of the university.
Across Queen’s, faculty members have dedicated themselves to researching questions connected to the...
September 25, 2019
Queen’s hosts Nobel Prize Laureates for sold-out public talk
As part of the Nobel Prize Inspiration Initiative (NPII), Nobel Laureate Martin Chalfie will visit Queen’s to engage and inspire students, staff, and faculty. Dr. Chalfie shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on Green Fluorescent Protein. He will share thoughts and insights on research success during a sold-out public discussion with Canada’s Chief Science Advisor Mona Nemer, and Queen’s own Nobel...
September 23, 2019
Queen’s civil engineers explore how to better detect methane contamination from natural gas extraction
Unconventional oil and gas operations are ever-growing as the abundance of conventional oil resources declines. Unlike the petroleum obtained by pumping directly from concentrated deposits via an oil well, unconventional oil and gas is held tightly in porous...
September 20, 2019
Celebrating engineering excellence
The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science continued to celebrate its 125th anniversary by recognizing outstanding faculty members during a special event on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
The 125th Anniversary Queen's Engineering Excellence Faculty Awards, hosted in Mitchell Hall, recognized the contributions of 14 faculty members, past and present...
September 16, 2019
Forward Water Technologies open first commercial scale pilot plant
Forward Water Technologies (FWT), a Canadian corporation founded in 2012, has now started operating their first commercial scale pilot plant, in Alberta. The revolutionary wastewater cleanup technology that forms the foundation of FWT was invented at Queen’s University at the lab of BWRC affiliated faculty, Philip Jessop, with assistance from Stephen Brown, and further developed by GreenCentre Canada. The technology allows FWT to treat highly contaminated wastewater streams at low cost, with low energy inputs and make fresh water available for re-use.
September 13, 2019
Queen’s researchers recognized by Governor General
Wendy Craig (Psychology) was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, Heather Stuart (Public Health Sciences) was named a Member of the Order of Canada, while John Smol was honoured with the Polar Medal. The Polar Medal is awarded to persons who have rendered extraordinary services in the polar regions and Canada’s North.
“Drs. Craig, Stuart and Smol are working in three important research areas that are making a difference to people across the country and around the world...
September 4, 2019
Queen's professor tracks waves and storm surges caused by hurricanes
A Queen’s University researcher is keeping a close eye on hurricane Dorian this week as it creeps up the East Coast of the southern United States.
Ryan Mulligan, an associate professor of civil engineering, is studying waves, also referred to as storm surge, that come as a result of hurricanes, and the damage they cause...
August 28, 2019
BWRC and LEADERS Seminar Series
After a successful Winter/Spring Seminar Series, the Beaty Water Research Centre and LEaders in wAter anD watERshed Sustainability (the LEADERS) programs Fall Series is starting back up September 11th.
We have planned a great line up of National and International speakers from Macadamia, Government and Industry.
Seminars generally take place on Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30 PM. Light refreshments provided!
August 12, 2019
Investing in cutting-edge tools and infrastructure for research
The Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund awards $2.65 million to advance research projects at Queen’s.
Sixteen researchers at Queen’s University have secured $2.65 million in funding in the latest round of the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF). At an event at the University of Alberta, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced over $61 million in funding for state-of-the-art research labs and equipment nationwide.
July 24, 2019
MPP Jim McDonell visit
Jim McDonell, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-SouthGlengary and Queen's Engineering Alumnus (BSc'77), stopped by to visit and learn about a number of Queen's facilities including the Beaty Water Research Centre.
July 17, 2019
LEADERS CREATE Summer Symposium
The LEaders in wAter anD watERshed Sustainability (the LEADERS) program hosted by the Beaty Water Research Centre (BWRC) is lead by Dr. Stephen Brown, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry & School of Environmental Studies. The program is funded ($1.65M over six years) through the NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) and was...
June 24, 2019
New fellows recognized for research and leadership in engineering
Two faculty members from Queen’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Pascale Champagne (Civil Engineering) and Kevin Deluzio (Dean; Mechanical and Materials Engineering), were inducted as fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering at its annual...
June 17, 2019
Why we spilled oil for science
It’s an overcast spring day in northwestern Ontario and myself and a crew of students and scientists are getting ready to transform a freshwater lake into a science experiment.
I have been dreaming about this day for almost five years now and am over the moon to see it materialize. Preparations have been taking place in...
June 14, 2019
Sammi Cheng Receives Paul Semple Scholarship
Sammi Cheng, a graduate student in Chemical Engineering at Queen's and BWRC affilaited student, was awarded the Paul Semple Scholarship for Innovative Mines this morning.
One of the trustees of this award, Mark Baker, came to Kingston to meet Sammi and to personally deliver a scholarship cheque ($2000)...
June 7, 2019
Great Lake Water Festival 2019
The 2019 Great Lake Water Festival took place on Thursday June 6th in Lake Ontario Park. Approximately 350 Grade 4 students attended the day run by 90 volunteers! This annual festival is designed to motivate students to become water stewards in their homes, classroom, and community. Activity stations combine interactive, hands-on learning opportunities for students to ‘soak up’ knowledge on water conservation and protection, water health and safety, water science and technology, water and society , and indigenous...
May 16, 2019
Supporting the Future of Research
The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, visited Queen’s University to talk about the promising future of university research across the country. At a special event, inside the newly-opened Mitchell Hall, the minister officially announced more than $35 million in funding for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (166 in total) and the Banting Post-Doctoral Fellowships (70 in total). This includes support for four Queen’s researchers who have earned Canada’s most-coveted prizes for PhD and...
May 6, 2019
The Interdisciplinary Green Team
Engineering a sustainable future requires input from multiple approaches and perspectives. Four leading Canadian researchers from Queen’s University have been awarded the NSERC Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering for their work in enhancing the value and sustainability of our natural renewable resources though...
May 1, 2019
Beaty Water Research Centre Featured Facility
The Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory has joined the BWRC as a research facility! We look forward to working with co-directors Dr. Melissa Lafreniere and Dr. Scott Lamoureux. For more information check out their website!
April 18, 2019
Cities and countries aim to slash plastic waste within a decade
If all goes well, 2030 will be quite a special year.
Global and local community leaders from more than 170 countries have pledged to “significantly reduce” the amount of single-use plastic products by 2030. Success would result in significantly less plastic pollution...
April 8, 2019
Water and Human Health Diploma Launches
The Beaty Water Research Centre has launched an online interdisciplinary graduate diploma program in Water & Human Health. Registration for May 2019 start is now open!
April 1, 2019
Grand Opening packs Mitchell Hall
Roaring applause and celebratory streamers filled the grand central atrium at Mitchell Hall this past weekend, marking the official opening of Queen’s University’s newest building. With a little help from a robot named Ibex, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Daniel Woolf and lead donor Bruce Mitchell made the announcement to an audience of several hundred guests – including...
March 28, 2019
Minister Bains tours Mitchell Hall ahead of opening
Principal Daniel Woolf welcomed Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains and Kingston and the Islands MP Mark Gerretsen for a tour of the newly-renovated Mitchell Hall, on Thursday March 28. Joined by...
March 28, 2019
Putting a focus on water-related issues
Water-related issues are increasingly becoming a driving force for economic growth, social well-being, and a healthy population in Canada and around the world. This critical interest is reflected in the diversity of water-related research and education initiatives at the Beaty Water Research Centre (BWRC), which recently moved...
March 27, 2019
Last night Queen's University Teaching Awards Civil Engineering Professor and Beaty Water Research Centre (BWRC) Director, Pascale Champagne received the Undergraduate Research Mentorship Award. Queen's Chemical Engineering Assistant Professor and BWRC affiliated faculty, Louise Meunier earned honourable mention Frank Knox Award for Excellence in Teaching
March 21, 2019
March BWRC Student Profile- Nicole Woodcock
"Since I was a kid, I've always loved reading, learning, and science. When I came out of high school, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do (and still am not completely sure) but knew I wanted to get into something that had an environmental aspect..."
March 20, 2019
Hurricanes to deliver a bigger punch to coasts
When tropical cyclone Idai made landfall near Beira, Mozambique on March 14, a spokesperson for the UN World Meteorological Organization called it possibly the worst weather-related disaster to hit the southern hemisphere. The massive...
March 11, 2019
Partnership provides interns real-world experience
The Beaty Water Research Centre (BWRC) encourages collaborative interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach, spanning traditional water-related disciplines, as well as non-traditional and emerging disciplines. “One of the goals of the BWRC is...
December 4, 2018
Bridging the gap between art and science
A recent creative collaboration at a lab affiliated with the Beaty Water Research Centre is showing that when art meets science, good things happen. Earlier this year, Kevin Mumford, an associate professor and researcher in the Department of Civil Engineering, hosted artist, geophysicist, and...
November 29, 2018
Mitchell Hall ready to open its doors
The Queen’s community will have its first look inside the newest building on campus next week, as parts of Mitchell Hall begin to open. Doors will open on Monday, Dec. 3, granting access to the central atriums and a new Starbucks location. Three gymnasiums, two multi-purpose classrooms, and the new Examination Centre...
October 25, 2018
Queen's University team "SWIM" takes 5th place in AquaHacking Finals
The team, which included current and former Beaty Water Research Centre students was made up of David Blair, Maralika DeGroot, Shuang Liang and Alexander Rey. They developed a decentralized sewage overflow detection, thanks to a drone-assisted infrared camera.
October 18, 2018
Putting the final touches on Mitchell Hall
![[photo of the new signage at Mitchell Hall]](https://www.queensu.ca/gazette/sites/default/files/assets/alumnireview/articles/Mitchell%20hall%20102318%20880x587.jpg)
This fall, Mitchell Hall, formerly known as the Innovation and Wellness centre, opens its doors, offering up new and refreshed resources to the Queen’s community.
“We are looking forward to the opening of Mitchell Hall, as this will be a signature building for Queen’s...
July 24, 2018
Creating the future workforce
Two Queen’s University researchers are leading groups that have been awarded a combined $3.3 million in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) as part of their Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Program to provide innovative training to...
July 23, 2018
1st International WDSA/CCWI Joint Conference
The International Water System Distribution Analysis (WDSA)/ Computing and Control for the Water Industry conference brought together professionals and researchers from around the world to solve problems in the field of urban water systems, modelling, and control. It was jointly hosted by Queen's University and the Royal Military College through Co-chairs Dr. Yves...
February 24, 2017
$5-million gift supports water research
Geologist and entrepreneur Ross J. Beaty has provided Queen's University with a $5-million gift to support collaborative research and education in the field of freshwater resources.
In recognition of the gift, the interdisciplinary research initiative has been renamed the Beaty Water Research Centre...