nserc create abateWestern Science
  • Slide_1

    ABATE trainees at the Sweden Field School (photo: Ó. Senar):

    ABATE trainees at the Sweden Field School (photo: Ó. Senar)

  • Slide_2

    Dr. Paterson and team on coring trip at Dickson Lake (photo: A. Paterson):

    Dr. Paterson and team on coring trip at Dickson Lake (photo: A. Paterson)

  • Slide_3

    Algal bloom at Gatineau Park, December 2011 (photo: S. Perin):

    Algal bloom at Gatineau Park, December 2011 (photo: S. Perin)

  • Slide_4

    Dr. Pick examining a Laurentian lake (photos: K. Rawes, F. Pick):

    Dr. Pick examining a Laurentian lake (photos: K. Rawes, F. Pick)

  • Gross_Algae_Fish

    Senescent cyanobacterial bloom in Eastern Ontario lake (photo: A. Zastepa):

    Senescent cyanobacterial bloom in Eastern Ontario lake (photo: A. Zastepa)

Creating a New Knowledge Class to Address the Algal Bloom Crisis

Algal blooms are increasing in frequency and intensity in Canadian freshwaters and globally. These blooms are often harmful, producing noxious and toxic metabolites with potentially devastating consequences. The key response to Canada's challenge of the widening ecosystem health issue should be the creation of a knowledge-rich and skill-ready workforce to take leadership roles in defining strategies to solve the emerging freshwater Harmful Algal Bloom (fHAB) crisis.

The "Algal Bloom Assessment through Science, Technology and Education (ABATE)" training program is designed to create this new knowledge class. A collaborative training team including academics, government and industry from Canada, US, Europe, Asia and Africa will help guide trainees formally on research project committees and informally through components specific to this training program. These include: lectures contributed by leaders in the field; interactive webinars; field schools and excursions to see first-hand fHAB problems facing communities-at-risk; real world experiences through academic exchanges and government and industry internships; workshops to translate scientific findings into policies and practices; and an annual showcase and networking forum with potential employers. The curricula are designed to provide scientific excellence and professional skills through the implementation of science components and specialized professional courses that will make trainees "job-ready" leaders in academic, public or private sectors.