NSERC CREATE for freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms (fHABs): Algal Bloom Assessment though Science, Technology and Education (ABATE).

在加拿大和全球的淡水中，藻华的频率和强度都在增加。这些水华通常是有害的，会产生有毒的代谢物，可能带来毁灭性的后果。对加拿大日益扩大的生态系统健康问题的挑战的关键回应应该是创造一支知识丰富和具备技能的劳动力队伍，在制定解决新出现的淡水有害藻华（fHAB）危机的战略方面发挥领导作用。我们需要一个知识班，让学者、政府和行业与学员一起合作，提出与以下因素相关的关键研究问题：(1)导致淡水中藻华；(2)导致花华动态的变化，有利于潜在有害物种的优势；(3)触发这些代谢物的产生；然后采用跨学科的方法来寻找这些关键问题的答案，并与最终用户合作，将科学发现转化为改变政策和实践的行动，以预防、减轻或适应fHABs。“通过科学、技术和教育评估藻华（ABATE）”培训项目就是为了创建这一新的知识课程而设计的。一个由来自加拿大、美国、欧洲、亚洲和非洲的学者、政府和工业界组成的合作培训小组将在研究项目委员会上正式指导受训者，并通过本培训计划的具体组成部分非正式地指导受训者。这些活动包括由该领域领导者提供的讲座、互动网络研讨会、实地学校和短途旅行，以了解面临风险的社区面临的第一手fHAB问题、通过学术交流和政府和行业实习获得的真实世界经验、将科学发现转化为政策和实践的研讨会，以及与潜在雇主的年度展示和网络论坛。该课程旨在通过实施科学组成部分和专门的专业课程或证书，提供卓越的科学知识和专业技能，使学员成为学术、公共或私营部门的“就业准备”领导者。ABATE培训计划属于NSERC的环境科学与技术优先领域。

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. We need a knowledge class, where academics, governments and industries work together with trainees to develop key research questions related to factors that (1) lead to algal blooms in freshwaters; (2) result in shifts in bloom dynamics favouring dominance by potentially harmful species; and (3) trigger the production of these metabolites; and to then adopt a transdisciplinary approach to finding answers to these key questions and work with end users to translate the scientific findings into actions that change policy and practice to prevent, mitigate or adapt to fHABs. 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, the U.S., 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 curriculum is designed to provide scientific excellence and professional skills through the implementation of science components and specialized professional courses or certificates that will make trainees "job-ready" leaders in academic, public or private sectors. The ABATE training program falls within NSERC's priority area of Environmental Science and Technologies.