Ontario is supporting world-class researchers in Sudbury who are creating jobs while exploring topics ranging from the nature of the universe to improved treatments for alcohol addiction.

In total, the province is supporting 120 researchers at Laurentian University and the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNOLAB). The researchers include:

• Dr. Randy W. Dirszowsky, who is discovering new ways to assess and reduce soil erosion in Northern Ontario, an important step to improving land, air and water quality.
  
  
• Dr. Annie Roy-Charland, who is developing a better understanding of how brain disorders like alcohol addiction affect learning patterns and skills development.
  
  
• Dr. Jeffrey L. Shephard, who is developing the next generation of cost-effective, nano-sized devices that can perform a range of chemical and biological processes needed in medical and environmental industries.
  
  
• Dr. Mark Boulay and Dr. Mark Chen, who are leading research related to dark matter - tiny particles that are key to understanding the nature of the universe. Their research team will use state-of-the-art technology 2,000 metres below ground to advance our understanding of how dark matter affects the universe.
  

Today's announcement is part of the Ontario Research Fund - Research Infrastructure program, which will support more than 3,300 researchers and help to create and preserve more than 1,300 construction jobs over the next four years across the province.