(Edmonton) University of Alberta researcher Ian Mann has been honoured as one of Canada�s top 40 under 40 by an advisory panel of business people�for the Globe and Mail newspaper. Mann appreciates the recognition but says what he�s really excited about is how the award will raise the profile of his area of study, space physics.

"The world is on the verge of a revolution in space science and engineering, and I believe the award reflects the renewed importance of space research to Canadians,� said Mann.

Since 1995 a Canadian business consulting group has taken nominations for a select group of 40 Canadians under the age of 40 who stand out because of their leadership; innovation, development strategy and community involvement.

The top 40 were chosen from among more than 1,000 nominees in a variety of fields. The judges gauged Mann�s performance on his work as Canada Research Chair in space physics, principal investigator for the Canadian Space Agency�s space storm research, and co-director of the Institute for Space Science, Exploration and Technology at the U of A.

For this recipient who emigrated from England to Canada in 2003, the accomplishments come from a labour of love.

�Canada has given me the opportunity to pursue cutting-edge research in space science,� said Mann. �This is an honour, a great motivator, and brings its own reward.�

Mann�s recognition is well deserved and timely, says Gregory Taylor, U of A�s dean of science.

�Ian�s research projects, which improve our understanding of space weather and how to limit effects on satellite communications and space activities, present enormous economic opportunities for Canada,� he said.

With the launch last week in the United States of SpaceX, the first privately funded spacecraft, Mann says a new space race is on and Canada, with the fourth-largest aerospace industry in the world, must be ready to get in the game.

�The training of the next generation of space scientists, engineers and even astronauts, combined with strategic economic investment partnerships, can ensure Canada benefits fully from this upcoming space bonanza,� said Mann.

Mann admits to a life-long fascination with space and he looks forward to sharing the dream.

�Imagine space-based monitoring of the Northwest Passage and the environmental impact of the oilsands or natural disasters, and imagine 40-minute sub-orbital passenger flights from Toronto to Sydney, Australia.��