THUNDER BAY – News – Dr. Han Chen, Lakehead Professor in Natural Resources Management, and his co-applicants have received a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada strategic project grant worth $620,761 over three years. Working with Lakehead researchers, Dr. Jian Wang and Dr. Chander Shahi, Dr. Chen will examine ways to minimize the environmental impact of biomass harvesting and maximize economic opportunities. 

Lakehead University Taking Leadership on Biomass Research

“Without funding it’s nearly impossible to do research such as this,” Dr. Chen said. For the next three years, Dr. Chen will work with his research partners and at least a dozen students in the boreal forest north of Thunder Bay. 

“This research funding could not come at a better time – with Lakehead University actively engaged in sustainable bioenergy and biorefining research,” said Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President, Research, Economic Development & Innovation.  Lakehead’s research team will work with the University of Toronto’s Dr. Sean Thomas and Dr. Nathan Basiliko, Resolute Forest Products, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and Natural Resources Canada.

The national NSERC announcement was made tat 10:30AM on February 8th 2013 at McGill University.

Biomass harvesting uses the tops and limbs of trees, as well as small diameter trees, felled by regular tree harvesting to produce bioenergy and biochemical products.