Sudbury’s Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO) at Laurentian University has hired a new director to lead its Sustainable Energy Solutions centre.
Dr. François Caron will take on the role starting Jan. 7, 2019. He will also serve as the Bruce Power Chair in Sustainable Energy Systems.
In his role as chair, Caron's aim is threefold: to make a lasting impression in the sector of energy and mining; to seek out and train new talent in the domain; and to build cross-disciplinary teams at all levels of science, communication and other spheres of learning, according to the organization.
“The challenge is multi-tier and could go in so many different directions,” Caron said in a MIRARCO news release.
Before his career in academia, Caron worked as a scientist at Atomic Energy of Canada from 1991 to 2000 in waste management systems, environmental research, reactors emissions reduction, and reactor chemistry.
Since joining Laurentian in 2000, he has developed radiation safety procedures, and served in a number of senior roles, including vice-dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the interim director of the Goodman School of Mines. He was instrumental in creating the School of the Environment.
It’s estimated Caron has taught more than 5,000 students and has more than 100 contributions in literature, reports, conference proceedings and other scholarly works. He’s also presented at chemistry workshops at national and international levels.
Caron’s work on reactor emissions received an AECL President’s Award of Excellence in 1998.
Established in 1998, MIRARCO is a not-for-profit research organization focused on developing innovative solutions for challenges faced by the mining industry.
Research projects undertaken by its Sustainable Energy Solutions Centre include looking at cryogens (liquefied gases at atmospheric pressure) to ventilate and cool mines, and assessing a hydraulic air compressor and its ability to cool deep mines.
