Pull Up a Chair

Professor Tom Chau of the Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering was one of 25 U of T faculty who received research funding in April under the federal government’s Canada Research Chairs program. Chau investigates the use of computer chips and software in the rehabilitation of children with severe disabilities at the Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre in Toronto, with the aim of having them participate more fully in educational and leisure activities. “I want to place the onus for adaptation on technology, instead of the child, so that the technology fits the child and evolves as his or her needs and functions evolve,” he says.

Chau was one of 10 recipients of a Tier II chair for younger researchers considered rising talents. Also announced were 15 Tier I chairs for senior faculty who are international leaders in their field. Ottawa created the Canada Research Chairs program in 2000 with the goal of establishing 2,000 chairs in Canadian universities over five years to help stem the flow of graduates abroad. The latest round of funding brings the number of announced chairs at U of T to 165 out of the university’s total allocation of 267 under the program.