We are profoundly grateful for the Hannams' faith in our university's research capability. This is a tremendous example of an alumnus giving back to U of G so that our students and faculty can continue to conduct innovative research. Hannam says research has never been so important to the Ontario soybean industry as it is today.
Soybeans are very well-suited to growing in Ontario and have lots of potential for new uses.
For the long-term prosperity of the industry, you have to expand demand and consumption beyond just food and fuel. He says the funding is an important part of his research efforts to develop a cure for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, an inherited disease with no known treatment that can appear at any time during life. It's estimated that 50,000 Canadians are at risk. This could increase consumer acceptance of a well-established soy product and boost soybean use. Currently, processors try to use heat or defatting to stop this process.