(May 28, 2007,Thunder Bay, ON) Eighteen researchers will be able to start or continue important research work with the awarding of funds in the latest funding announcement from NSERC. A total of $2,003,346 has been awarded to Lakehead University researchers representing a broad spectrum of disciplines, including Engineering, Computer Sciences, Forestry, Medicine, Physics, Geology, Chemistry, and Biology. These new grants include 14 Discovery Grants, three Research Tools and Instruments Grants, and one Strategic Project Grant.

Dr. Rui Wang, Vice President (Research) at Lakehead University said, "NSERC has and will continue to be a critical source of grants for Lakehead scholars to enable them to explore new areas of study or to continue research projects already started. We are very pleased with the quality and quantity of research at Lakehead University funded by NSERC, without which our researchers would be unable to continue their important work. In addition, the grants also enable the researchers to hire graduate students to assist on projects."

Among the researchers who were awarded funds were:

Bill Parker (Faculty of Forestry and the Forest Environment)

- Abstract from NSERC Grant.
This research proposal is directed at investigating the ability of two different climate correlative approaches that spatially model species' future distributions at the population level under a changing climate, and thus, at providing the Forestry Sector with the knowledge and methods to make successful transfers of key populations of their most economically important species. Also, this research will provide direction to the overarching conservation goal of forestry: i.e. preserving the adaptive potential (biodiversity) of our key forest species. Population level data collected from range-wide provenance tests and from Dr. Parker's own regional common garden trials, together with the methodologies that he has developed over the past 20 years, will be used to achieve these goals. Population suitability models and response functions will be used as predictive models, and validation will be attempted by comparing results of the two approaches and through retrodiction (predicting the past) by each method.

Rachid Benlamri (Department of Software Engineering)

- Abstract from NSERC Grant.
Context-aware mobile learning is an important requirement for next generation intelligent e-learning systems. However, context-management in real-world applications is a complex information processing task. In this research program, context reflects timeliness and mobility to nurture pervasive learning throughout an enterprise ecosystem. The aim is to dynamically provide useful learning resources on demand, anywhere, in a learner-driven context and on a learner's schedule. This is particularly important for corporate learning providers in order to make it possible for organizations to transform learning into a strategic lever. As learning material scale up and longer instruction times become common, knowledge acquisition becomes time-dependent and is increasingly acquired on the fly due to considerable changes in today's know-how economy requirements. However, the process of inferring, communicating, and presenting context-aware learning resources to mobile learners poses new challenges to the research community. This is mainly due to the limitations of mobile technology (i.e. limited bandwidth on wireless networks, and limited resources on mobile devices), and to the lack of cognitive mobile-learning models (i.e. problems related to domain-knowledge representation and contextual information retrieval, time-constrained instruction, and human-computer interaction). This research program contributes toward solving some of the challenging problems in cognitive mobile-learning by making use of the progress in Semantic Web theory, e-learning standardization, and mobile computing. The approach is to develop a knowledge-centered framework based on ontological formulation that structures knowledge into meaningful content and creates an environment where software agents roaming around peer-to-peer learning object repositories can readily carry out sophisticated learning services discovery and compositions. The use of ontology aims at providing customized learning patterns which are delivered on-demand to the learner and/or combined with other patterns to form a self-adjusted learning route according to the learner's needs and available learning time.

In addition to the eighteen university researchers receiving grants, nine graduate students from Lakehead University have been awarded NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to students engaged in Master's or Doctoral programs in the natural sciences or engineering across Canada on the basis of academic achievement. This financial support allows these scholars to fully concentrate on their studies and to seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields.

To view a complete list of Lakehead University NSERC awardees click here.


Media: Please call the following directly for a media interview: Dr. Bill Parker - 807.343-8484 and
Dr. Rashid Benlamri - 807. 346-7960.

For further information on this release, please contact Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications at 807-343-8372, eabaya@lakeheadu.ca

For more information on research initiatives, please call Anne Klymenko, Manager, Research and International Development at 807-343-8223, anne.klymenko@lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,600 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University: NSERC Grants - 2007-2008

Total Grants: $2,003,346

New Discovery Grants

Morris, D.W., Department of Biology, "The Evolutionary and Population Ecology of Habitat Selection", $267,550

Spivak, G.J., Department of Chemistry, "Synthesis and Applications of Ruthenium Carbynes", $140,000

El Ocla, H.E.M., Department of Computer Science, "Radar Detection Systems of Targets in Random Media Using Wireless Network-based Communication System", $108,700

Alexandrov, D.G., Department of Electrical Engineering, "Excitons of the Structure and their Application for Design of Electron Devices", $81,000

Benlamri, R., Department of Software Engineering, "Framework for Context-Aware Mobile Learning", $75,000

Ulanova, M., Faculty of Medicine (West Campus), "Role Integrin Receptors in Recognition of Pathogen-associated Molecular Patterns and Innate Immunity", $140,000

Dang, Q.L., Faculty of Forestry and the Forest Environment, "Responses of Boreal Trees to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Concentration", $35,000

Parker, W.H., Faculty of Forestry and the Forest Environment, "Seed Transfers of Boreal Conifers in an Uncertain Future Climate", $100,000

Fralick, P.W., Department of Geology, "Precambrian Sedimentary Assemblages: Keys to Understanding Ocean-atmosphere Evolution and Tectonic Processes on the Young Earth", $111,500

Hollings, P.N., Department of Geology, "Xenoliths in 2.7 Ga Diamondiferous Lamprophyres: a Record of Upper Mantle Compositions and Metasomatism During Orogeny", $121,200

Mitchell, R.H., Department of Geology, "Mineralogy and Petrology of Kimberlites and Alkaline Rocks", $242,450

McAuliffe, E., School of Kinesiology, "The Effect of Autonomic Nervous System Activation on Object- and Space-based Attention" $78,725

Sedov, A., Department of Mechanical Engineering, "Multi-modal Ultrasonic Nondestructive Evaluation with Phased Arrays", $50,000

De Guise, H., Department of Physics, "Applications of Algebraic Methods in Quantum Physics", $85,000

Total value of new Discovery Grants: $1,636,125

New Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants

Liao, B., Department of Chemical Engineering, "A gas Chromatography for Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering Research at Lakehead University", $30,676.00

Tayebi, A.T., Department of Electrical Engineering, "Experimental Design of a Mono-ducted-fan VTOL Aircraft", $25,696.00

Liu, K., Department of Mechanical Engineering, "Experimental Facility for Research on Vibration Control and Fluid-structure Interactions", $22,444.00

Total value of new RTI Grants: $78,816

NSERC Strategic Project Grant (awarded during 2006-2007)

Nirsdosh, I., Department of Chemical Engineering, "Arylhydroxamic Acids as New Flotation Collectors with Economic and Environmental Advantages Over Xanthates"

Total Value of new Strategic Project Grant: $288,405

(May 24, 2007 --Thunder Bay, ON) Three outstanding graduate students will be honored this weekend for their achievements in sport, biology, and public health.

Michael Oatway, a graduate student in Biology, and Joel Scherban, a graduate student in Business Administration and the first captain of the Lakehead University Thunderwolves Hockey Team, are being given the President's Award at Convocation 2007. The President's Award is given annually to the students who have occupied positions of responsibility in student organizations and who, by their activities and achievement, have earned the gratitude of the University. Carol Styles, a graduate student in the Master of Public Health program, is being presented with the Governor-General's Gold Medal, awarded to the highest-ranking student in the graduating class of the Graduate Degree Programs.

Ms. Michael Oatway came to Lakehead from Orillia, Ontario, and completed a Master of Science in Biology in the fall of 2006. She is highly regarded by professors and peers for her leadership and teaching skills, and for her understanding of what it takes to produce quality science -- careful forethought and a well researched plan. Her thesis, which dealt with habitat selection by wildlife, and was supervised by Dr. Douglas Morris, has been accepted for publication by the Canadian Journal of Zoology.

Mr. Joel Scherban completed an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Lakehead in 2005 and is graduating from the Master of Science in Management program in May 2007. He served as Captain of the Thunderwolves Hockey team from 2001-2002 to 2005-2006 and was chosen an OUA First Team All Star five years in a row. Joel Scherban holds numerous awards including the prestigious Joseph P. Sullivan Award as the best CIS Men's Hockey Player in Canada in 2004-2005. In September 2006, he became Lakehead University's first ever RBC Top 8 Academic All-Canadian which is presented annually to the eight university students in Canada who best combine academics, athletics, and community involvement. According to Dr. Jerry Phillips, "Joel would rank as one of the brightest and hardest working students I have taught during my 39 years at Lakehead University."

Mrs. Carol Styles, who lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and will graduate from the Master of Public Health program (with a specialization in Nursing) in May 2007, took courses part time and at-a-distance through Lakehead's Office of Continuing Education and Distributed Learning. Her Supervisor, Dr. Bill Montelpare, considers Carol to be an exceptional student and researcher who will "continue to challenge conventional wisdom and help us understand the many factors that influence the health of the population." Carol Styles works in the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health at Manitoba Health, where she has served within the public health emergency preparedness and response portfolio as the Critical Issues Coordinator since December 2003. Her primary areas of responsibility include public health preparedness for pandemic and avian influenza.

Media: To interview the students, please call Frances Harding at 343-8193

If you have any questions regarding this media release, please call Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications, 807-343-8372, eabaya@lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,700 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

(May 23, 2007,Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University is very pleased to announce that two Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) have been renewed for another five years each. Dr. Lionel Catalan and Dr. Gary Genosko have each been renewed for their research work on Industrial Waste and for Technoculture Studies, respectively. Each Tier 2 CRC award is valued at $100,000 per year for five years.

Dr. Rui Wang, Vice President Research, said "The quality of researchers at Lakehead University is first rate. The renewal of Canada Research Chairs Dr. Gary Genosko and Dr. Lionel Catalan, representing two crucial areas of study with global impacts, is a significant coup for the University, and we will continue to build on the success of our research community."

Dr. Lionel Catalan, NSERC Tier 2 CRC (renewal) for 5 years

Waste disposal and treatment, and reduction of adverse effects of environmental wastes.
Dr. Catalan's research involves testing new disposal and treatment methods for rendering wastes safe or reusing them, with the goal of effecting environmental improvements through reduction of the adverse effects of industrial wastes.

Dr. Gary Genosko, SSHRC Tier 2 CRC (renewal) for 5 years
Technoculture. Canada's first big case of cybercrime in 2001 saw the arrest and sentencing in youth court of "Mafiaboy" for illegal computer hacking of Blue Chip websites. Dr. Genosko's studies of Mafiaboy - and the subcultures of computer hacking in Canada - were groundbreaking and before then were virtually unstudied.

For a full description of the research projects please see below.

Dr. Catalan: Waste Disposal and treatment, and reduction of adverse effects of environmental wastes.

Canada's resources sector has traditionally made vital contributions to the strength of the country's economy. But while the mining, pulp and paper, and petroleum industries have played key roles in Canada's economic development, these sectors generate significant quantities of wastes. As Canada Research Chair in Industrial Waste Management and Site Remediation, Dr. Lionel J.J. Catalan examines how to reduce the environmental impact of wastes produced by the natural resource industries through advances in prediction methods, treatment processes, and design of disposal sites.
Dr. Catalan's research will focus on three areas: mine waste management; stabilization and solidification of industrial wastes; and treatment of petroleum wastes and remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.

In the first area, the research will address the problem of acid drainage. Dr. Catalan will examine the treatment of oxidized tailings with alkaline amendments prior to underwater storage, and work to improve design criteria for water covers, particularly with regard to minimizing tailings resuspension caused by waves and currents.

In the area of stabilization/solidification, the research will address the prediction of long-term leaching rates of stabilized/solidified wastes. Dr. Catalan will also investigate the effects of natural weathering on treated waste, and will look at the use of stabilized waste in construction.

Dr. Catalan has done significant work in the area of petroleum wastes, and he will continue to develop a new, cost-effective treatment process for converting hydrocarbon contaminants into an inert, coke-like material.

Dr. Gary Genosko: Technoculture

Dr. Gary Genosko: Technoculture Studies in a Canadian Context. Dr. Genosko studies rogue and cowboy figures in Canadian technocultures, from anti-surveillance cyborgs, computer hackers like 'Mafiaboy,' phone phreakers, drop-outs who hack the utilities grid, and CrackBerry resisters.

His groundbreaking studies of 'Mafiaboy' in the Australian media culture journal Fibreculture.org and in the New Brunswick Law Journal have opened up new vistas for him in terms of the research focus of his second cycle of the CRC. He will investigate the existence of a golden Canadian legend of telephone hacks (primarily situated on the West Coast and focused on BC Telephone), the stakes of the representation of mythic 'Canadian' hacker Blondie Wong, and the role and practice of telephone companies, security and intelligence agencies in the construction of the risk/threat of countercultural activity based around information technologies as it has changed from the 1970s to today. We are, as he says, a long, long way from the innocence of the Whole Earth Catalogue. The poetry of the blue planet has been displaced by the hard wiring of the network and emergence of former computer club members - the original hackers and phreaks - like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.

The study develops Canadian competence in understanding cybercrime by emphasizing the importance of understanding youth and marginal technocultures before criminalizing them.

Dr. Genosko's work on Technoculture Studies involves three sections - Resistance and Resignification: Canadian Perspectives on Digital Subcultures; Modelling Communication and Information; and Visual Cultures of Information

Media Interviews: Please call Dr. Genosko at 807.343-8391, and Dr. Wang at 807.343 - 8180. Dr. Catalan may be contacted directly at 807.343-8573 any time after May 13.

For further information on this release, please contact Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications at 807-343-8372, eabaya@lakeheadu.ca For more information on research initiatives, please call Anne Klymenko, Manager, Research and International Development at 807-343-8223, anne.klymenko@lakeheadu.ca

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,600 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Outstanding Individuals Honoured

What: Courtesy Call - World Harmony Runners
Date: Monday, May 14, 2007
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: Lakehead University AGORA CIRCLE

A representation of runners participating in the World Harmony Run will be making a courtesy call at Lakehead University where they will present a torch to Dr. Fred Gilbert, President, at the Agora Circle. The team will be joined by runners of the Lakehead University Track Team, student athletes, and staff.

The World Harmony Run is an international torch relay which seeks to further the cause of international friendship and goodwill by inspiring each individual to find his or her unique way of manifesting harmony in day-to-day life. The torch is symbolic of the flame that burns in each individual's heart for harmony and oneness.

The Canadian leg of the World Harmony Run for 2007 starts on Sunday, April 22 in Victoria, B.C., and ends officially on June 12 in Halifax, N.S. The Canadian team comprises 27 runners, and each section is manned by usually 3-6 runners per district. The Run will be visiting approximately 115 schools across the country, and around 120 communities will be welcoming the torch and runners. In Thunder Bay, the Run will come to Lakehead University by way of Kakabeka.
Founded by Sri Chinmoy, humanitarian, athlete, musician, artist, and poet, the World Harmony Run uses running as a dynamic way to express the universal spirit of harmony which transcends cultural and national boundaries. Organized by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, the largest ultra-distance running organization in the world, the World Harmony Run organization spans over 90 countries and is operated entirely by volunteers.

The media is invited to attend the Ceremony and talk to the runners about their journey.


343-8372. Runners may be interviewed immediately following the ceremony.

For further information on World Harmony Run and participating runners, please contact Robin Thompson, Coordinator, at (613) 728-5705.

(Orillia, Ontario - May 4, 2007) Lakehead University - Orillia Campus will be hosting a Preview Evening for applicants, their families, and supporters on Wednesday May 9 from 5 pm - 8 pm. The evening will involve presentations from the Social Work, Education, and Business faculties. Applicants will also have the opportunity to tour the campus, meet future classmates, experience videoconferencing technology, and learn valuable information about Financial Aid and Student Services.

The evening will also bring to a conclusion the Campus Post Card design competition with the announcement of the winners. The aim of the contest was to promote Lakehead University and create community awareness in a way that engages the community in a hands-on fashion. All winners will receive 50 copies of their postcard and prizes will be awarded as follows: first place - $150; second place - $100; and third place - $50.

"This event will demonstrate all the wonderful things that Lakehead University - Orillia has to offer," said Kelli Gray, Student Services Coordinator. "We know that choosing a university is a difficult decision and Lakehead University wants to provide students with all the opportunities that are available to them at this fine institution."

Media: Prize winners and Campus staff will be available for media interviews on May 9 following the close of the formal awards presentation, at 7 pm in the Lakehead University - Orillia Campus Boardroom. For further information, or to arrange a media interview please contact Lakehead University - Orillia Campus at 705-330-4019.


Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,600 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

(Thunder Bay, April 27, 2007) The 5th Annual Lakehead University and TD Canada Trust Northwestern Ontario High School Mathematics Competition recently held at Lakehead University has come to an end. There were 154 participants in the competition, representing 12 high schools across Northwestern Ontario.

The media is invited to attend the Award Ceremony and congratulate and talk to the top high school mathematicians in Northwestern Ontario.

What: Winners of the 2007 TD Canada Trust Northwestern Ontario High School Mathematics Competition will be announced

Date: Monday, April 30, 2007

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Lakehead University AGORA

Mathematics today is increasingly essential background for quantitative and technological environments. Some students now in high school will go on to successful careers in mathematics itself, but more will use and apply mathematical reasoning in a wide range of professions.

There are other well-established high school mathematics competitions, but mostly they seek to discover mathematical superstars. The Annual Lakehead University and TD Canada Trust Northwestern Ontario High School Mathematics Competition hopes to stimulate the mathematical talents and the mathematical confidence of these "stars" and those going on to careers in teaching, information sciences, engineering, medicine, skilled trades, commerce, banking and business, and many others. For example, one very important application of Mathematics is in the area of genetics - of worldwide and national interest - and a particular focus in Northwestern Ontario.

Mathematics is a group and social activity, and our competition emphasizes that aspect through concentration on team problem solving, in addition to individual efforts. From our experience in the first four competitions, we are encouraged by evidence that the team aspect is particularly attractive to those who participate.


Media: For further information, please call Dr. Razvan Anisca, 343-8681(office) from 10:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. Friday, April 27. The winners may be interviewed immediately following the ceremony.

Approach Aims to Optimize Safe Driving

(April 25, 2007 Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University is pleased to announce that a proposal to establish an Interdisciplinary Research Program on Safe Driving (IRPSD) at Lakehead University has been approved. The IRPSD was proposed by Lakehead University's Dr. Michel Bedard, Canada Research Chair, as an interdisciplinary program to increase knowledge of the respective contributions of the driver, the vehicle, and road characteristics and conditions toward safe driving behaviour across the lifespan. The Program aims to promote knowledge gained in this area to reduce vehicular accidents and optimize safe driving. Among the disciplines that will be represented at the Center are Biostatistics, Engineering, Gerontology, Health, Human Factors, Kinesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, and Psychology. Funded through the NSERC Research Capacity Development Grant, the Program will utilize the expertise of experienced and emerging researchers.

Three years ago, Lakehead University was one of seven Canadian small universities which received a total of $1.5 million NSERC Research Capacity Development (RCD) grant. The goal of the NSERC RCD program is to eliminate some of the barriers to increased research productivity in the natural sciences and engineering at small universities. One of the ways this is accomplished is through the establishment of interdisciplinary research programs/centers.

The first year funding of the Interdisciplinary Research Program on Safe Driving is approved by Lakehead University in the amount of $47,500, with an additional $27,500 toward the hiring of a Post-Doctoral Fellow (PDF).

Traffic-related crashes represent a considerable health and economic burden on our society. In any one year in Canada, there are approximately 150,000 crashes resulting in personal injuries, and 2500 crashes resulting in fatalities. For the most part crashes are preventable irrespective of the driver's age. Although considerable reductions in crashes have been observed in recent years, much work remains to be done to reduce this number even further.

While IRPSD is an important catalyst for increased research output related to safe driving, another major role of the Program is to mentor the next generation of researchers. Students affiliated with the Program would come from various disciplines and would be immersed in an interdisciplinary culture to foster novel approaches to the study of safe driving. Opportunities for research at the undergraduate, Master's, doctoral, and post-doctoral levels would be provided. The Program would also bridge academic research, community partners, health professionals, and policy makers to address a public health issue that is significant to all segments of the population.

According to Dr. Michel Bedard, "The Interdisciplinary Research Program on Safe Driving is a dream come true in terms of a comprehensive interdisciplinary and inter-community project. The Program has the potential to make a significant contribution toward the further reduction of vehicular crashes in Canada, and this knowledge can be accessed and used by other researchers in other disciplines around the world. Additional funding for the Program will be dependent upon results of milestones and evaluation parameters as outlined in our proposal, but we are very much looking forward to the launch start of the Program in full scale next year."

Media: Dr. Michel Bedard is available for interview by calling 807.343-8630.

For further information, please contact Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications at 807-343-8372, eabaya@lakeheadu.ca


Lakehead University's main campus is located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Superior. With a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a worldwide reputation for innovative programs and research. Lakehead has over 7,600 students and 2,200 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Lakehead University was named Canada's Research University of the Year 2005 in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

Scientist Visits Lakehead's CERAH to Launch Collaboration

(April 24, 2007 Thunder Bay, ON) Dr. Larry W. Chambers, President and Chief Scientist with the Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute (EBRI), a SCO Health Service, and University of Ottawa partnership based in Ottawa, Ontario, is visiting Lakehead University's Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health (CERAH) on Friday April 27. The meeting will officially launch the new CERAH/EBRI partnership which will establish and strengthen their cooperative relationship.

CERAH and EBRI have worked together on the End-of-Life Care for Seniors New Emerging Team funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Some of the topics covered in collaborative projects include: Critical Care Coaching Team: Improving End of life Care decision-making; Continuity of care for community-based palliative care services, and the Contribution of Rural hospice Volunteers at end of life. Other projects have focused on Improving care of the dying in long term care, palliative care in First Nations Communities and homeless communities, and the expectations, motivations, and role of hospice volunteers.

Dr. Larry W. Chambers, PhD, FACE, Hon FFPH (UK) is the President and Chief Scientist
of the Élisabeth-Bruyère Research Institute and Vice-President, Research Services, SCO Health Services. He is also Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine at the University of Ottawa. His extensive research, supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Canadian Institute of Health Research, focuses on improving health services for older people. Dr. Chambers says "...this new partnership with CERAH provides increased opportunities for collaboration among researchers working on palliative care and care of the elderly that are unique in Ontario."

Dr. Chambers and Dr. Mary Lou Kelley, Director of the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health will also discuss the expansion of the Seniors Health Research Transfer Network to Northern Ontario. Currently operating only in southern Ontario, this Network is designed to promote knowledge exchange among caregivers, researchers, and policy makers. It is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care. Key components of the Network are a specialized library service for health workers working in long-term care homes and community care services; communities of practices of caregivers; and researchers and policy makers that focus on specific topics such as best practice in the care of people with Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Kelley says, "We are very pleased with this recent development. The partnership between the Elisabeth Bruyere Research Institute and the Center on Education and Research on Aging and Health will advance research activities and knowledge exchange in many areas related to aging and health. We are looking forward to the expansion of the Seniors Health Research Transfer Network into Northwestern Ontario so that regional health care professionals can benefit from knowledge that has already been gained in the area of seniors' health."


Media: For further information or to arrange for an interview with Dr. Chambers and Dr. Kelley, please contact: Deb Lamers, Educational Initiatives Assistant, at 807-766-7271. www.lakeheadu.ca