Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Innovation Saskatchewan is investing $459,095 in three University of Regina projects through the Innovation & Science Fund (ISF) focused on water security, environmental sustainability and antimicrobial resistance.
The investments match funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF), a government of Saskatchewan release said.
“The University of Regina is leading research that’s making a real impact and helping shape a stronger, more sustainable future for our province. These investments help ensure Saskatchewan stays at the forefront of innovation and is ready to tackle challenges with solutions developed right here at home,” provincial minister responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Warren Kaeding said.
$170,176 will go to water quality research equipment led by Dr. Kerri Finlay to support new field and lab equipment to expand high-precision monitoring across more than 100 lakes in southern Saskatchewan.
The tools will help track how human activity and climate change affect prairie lakes and wetlands, inform practical, evidence-based strategies to protect water quality and advance climate resilience, building on three decades of research in the Qu’Appelle Valley, the release said.
$205,779 for Advanced Antibacterial Research Technology led by Dr. Omar El-Halfawy with support for specialized lab tools, including high-throughput imaging and advanced bacterial genomics to speed up drug discovery, the release said. Researchers will be able to study bacteria in conditions that mimic real infections and uncover resistance mechanisms often missed in standard tests, helping improve treatments and guide more effective antibiotic use
$83,140 will go to the Waste Management System Design Laboratory (WMSD Lab), led by Dr. Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng, with support for enhanced computing power, near-infrared spectrometry and new field tools to improve how plastic waste is mapped and analyzed under prairie conditions.
Innovation Saskatchewan recently expanded the ISF program, the release said, by nearly doubling annual funding to $5.2 million and launching four streams focused on research infrastructure, research projects, ecosystem development and international collaboration.
The expanded program launches April 1, with funding decisions expected in summer 2026.
