In addition to talks and exhibits, this year Lakehead University gave its postdoctoral fellows a chance to strut their stuff at a poster competition. Held in the Agora on Thursday, February 17, the competition was judged by two teams comprising researchers from Lakehead University.

From 11 poster presentations, the top three were chosen as winners based on content, good balance of visuals and text, and author response to questions.

First Place
Zhongshun Yuan, from the Department of Chemical Engineering, under the supervision of Charles Xu, placed first for his poster: Catalytic Conversion of Glucose to Platform Chemical HMF

Second Place
Sarathi Mani, from Lakehead's Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, under the supervision of Rui Wang, placed second for his poster: Role of CSE/H2S in the Development of Atherosclerosis

Third Place
Eli Nix, from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, under the supervision of Marina Ulanova, placed third for his poster: Immune Response to Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) Vaccine in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Each winner received a modest cash award.

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Media: For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

(February 17, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead Accounting students Angela Pratola,Jessica Tolone, John Blanchette, and Michael Iorianni, won first place in the tenth Gathering of Accounting Academics, Practitioners, and Students (GAAPS) hosted by the University of Manitoba in conjunction with the Certified General Accountants (CGA) of Manitoba.

Lakehead students L-R: John Blanchette, Michael Iorianni, Angela Pratola and Jessica Tolone

Fourteen universities from across Canada sent teams of four undergraduate students tocompete in the three-day conference from February 3 - 5, 2011, that included an accounting-basedcase competition, guest speakers, and networking events.

A judging panel comprising independent professional accountants selected the winners of the case competition.The first place win for the Lakehead University team comes with a trophy and $1,500 in prize money to share.With this achievement, the Lakehead team has improved from their last year's third-place finish. "GAAPS was a challenging and rewarding team competition," says John Blanchette. "It provided us an opportunity to utilize all that we have learned here at Lakehead."

Student Michael Iorianni recounts how "the competition time constraint added a level of difficulty.In the first round, we were allowed two hours to analyze the case and prepare a half hour presentation for the judges. The real challenge came in the final round when the time limit was reduced to an hour and we had half the time to do the same amount of work."

"While our group was preparingthe presentation, everyone felt nervous and anxious aboutpresenting our materialin-front of the panel of judges," says team member Jessica Tolone. "But once our group went up and presented,I couldn't believe how all the nerves justdisappeared and how well we executed our presentation. Our education at Lakeheaddefinitely prepared us for this type of situation andgave us the confidence to present effectively."

"We were proud to represent Lakehead University and its accounting students in GAAPS, and excelling in this competition was a great accomplishment for our team," enthused Angela Pratola."During this competition we were not only required to use basic communication and organization skills, but also apply our general knowledge of accounting concepts.Placing first in the competition is evidence that we, along with our classmates, will enter the working world with a strong foundation of accounting knowledge that was developed through our education atLakehead."

The Lakehead GAAPS Team is thankful for the support of the Northwestern Ontario Chartered Accountant Association (NWOCAA).

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Media: For further information about the Gathering of Accounting Academics, Practitioners, and Students (GAAPS) visit http://umanitoba.ca/student/groups/asbaa/gaaps.html. To schedule interviews, please contact Camillo Lento, Lecturer, Faculty of Business Administration, at 343-8387 or clento@lakeheadu.ca.

(February 17, 2011 - Orillia, ON) Lakehead University celebrates its6th annual Research and Innovation Week with special events taking place this week at both the Orillia and Thunder Bay campuses. Members of Lakehead - Orillia's faculty are showcasing their recent research projects with a special display and presentation this week at Orillia's University Avenue campus. Community members are encouraged to drop in to learn about the innovative research projects taking place at Lakehead University.

Presentations are set up for viewing at the University Avenue (Learning Commons) and Downtown campuses in Orillia.

Read more and view the Packet and Times video.

Lakehead student Mark Doble is interviewed by local media at Lakehead - Orillia's "Research and Innovation Week" presentation in the Learning Commons at the University Avenue campus.

(February 15, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University is pleased to announce that it has received curriculum approval from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, the first approval for a new law degree program in Ontario in 42 years.

The curriculum approval from the Federation of Law Societies is one of the final steps in the approval process, which will culminate in submission of the proposal to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU).

President of Lakehead University, Dr. Brian Stevenson, commented: "We are delighted with the Federation's approval. The addition of a law school will position Lakehead University to better achieve its strategic priorities, including serving Northwestern Ontario and the special needs of Aboriginal communities. The new law degree program will enhance access to justice in the region."

Lakehead University Chancellor Arthur V. Mauro, a vigorous proponent of a Faculty of Law for Lakehead University, said, "We are gratified by the approval of our proposal for a law school dedicated to the North; this is a dream that has been held by many people in Northwestern Ontario for so long. The approval of the curriculum takes us one step closer to the realization of this dream, and we thank the numerous organizations and private citizens who have helped move this project forward. It is also worthy of note that a university located in the hometown of former Chief Justice Bora Laskin (1912-1984) become the most recent university in Ontario to receive approval for a new law degree program from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada."

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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 8,280 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

"Our partnership with Lakehead is an example of how the private, public and academic sectors are adapting to better promote and protect the health of Canadians. By moving beyond a sole reliance on the medical faculties and engaging with the humanities and engineering sectors, we can greatly increase our capacity to discover scientific solutions to health problems," said Dr. Alain Beaudet, President of CIHR. "In fact, some of the most exciting prospects for innovation lie with multidisciplinary approaches at the interface of biology and the social sciences, engineering and computer sciences. This in turn entails improving the partnership between the universities and the Granting Councils to ensure converging approaches to supporting research excellence."

Following the opening ceremonies was a symposium on the Emerging Role of Health Research in Northern Ontario. Participants from major northern Ontario health research institutions described their successful research and innovation endeavours with focused approaches to key issues facing health researchers and healthcare providers in northern Ontario. The importance of a strengthened partnership between CIHR and northern Ontario health research institutions in promoting health research and innovation in northern Ontario was highlighted.

Dr. Rui Wang, Lakehead University's Vice President of Research, Economic Development and Innovation, emphasized that the research and innovation agenda for northern Ontario has been, and should be, focused on identifying the gaps in health research and service and finding solutions to meet the needs of the people of northern Ontario. Dr. Wang says that "an excellent example of this focused approach is a Lakehead-led research program dedicated to improving palliative care services in First Nations communities. The 5-year program has been supported by a CIHR Aboriginal Health Intervention Grant of $1.825 million and based at Lakehead's Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health (CERAH)."

Speakers:

Daniel Archambault " Research Activities Manager, Laurentian University

Martha Scott " Manager of Research and Partnerships, Algoma University

Greg Ross " Associate Dean, Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Umed Panu " Associate Vice President Research, Lakehead University

Michael Wood " Vice President, Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute

All Research and Innovation Week events are free and everyone is welcome to attend. More special events are happening all week, including lectures, panel discussions, a concert, a film premiere, a graduate student conference (posters and oral presentations), postdoctoral fellow poster competition, displays, information sessions and the celebration of Lakehead's Distinguished Researcher Award. For a detailed schedule of events, please visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

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Media: For further information about the symposium or to schedule an interview, please contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

(February 12, 2010 " Thunder Bay, ON) Building on the success of previous Research and Innovation weeks, today, Lakehead University launched its 6^th annual R+I Week at Intercity Shopping Centre with unique interactive displays accessible to the entire community.

Crowds Gather for DNA Ancestry Testing

As part of the launch, two new start-up companies, nurtured through Lakehead's Innovation Management Office, were announced and celebrated.

Strength Assessment Inventory (SAI)

The first company, 2254829 Ontario Inc., is commercializing a psychological test known as the Strength Assessment Inventory (SAI). The SAI, delivered through a customized online portal, measures and assesses strengths of Canada's children and youth. By contrast, most currently available assessment tools measure weaknesses or challenges of young people to find what is wrong, instead of providing positive feedback by finding what is right. The researchers define strengths as "a set of developed competencies and characteristics embedded in culture that are valued both by the individual and by society." These strengths are identified through an evaluation that includes 124 items in 11 categories of strengths, for example: Strengths from Faith and Culture.

Lakehead University researchers Ed Rawana, Associate Professor of Psychology, and Keith Brownlee, Professor of Social Work, have spent years developing the SAI. Several customers, including Thunder Bay's own McKellar Park Central Public School and the Sister Margaret Smith Centre, are already using the SAI.The project has received generous support from the Lakehead University Centre of Excellence for Children and Adolescents with Special Needs, and several community partners. Early results have been very encouraging.

"We have discovered that it is difficult to engage children and adolescents to work on their problems when they have not received ideas that will help motivate them to make positive changes," Rawana explains. "With the SAI, children and adolescents are able to see that they have assets that they can use to conquer problems. Their problems do not have to define who they are."

Bitcold Technology Inc.

Bitcold Technology Inc., Lakehead's second new start-up, is the outcome of a successful research partnership between Lakehead University's Department of Software Engineering, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Researchers and doctors have collaborated to develop an intelligent new system that allows caregivers and hospital administrators to easily share patient documentation. At present, caregivers can spend as much as 40% of their time on tedious and repetitive documentation, in large part because the existing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems have significant limitations.

Bitcold has developed a documentation tool that integrates with the hospital's existing EMR system to enhance and expand its automated editing abilities. This tool is expected to have a clear and important impact on healthcare in Canada by reducing the time caregivers spend documenting their work, freeing more time for providing patient care. Since 2010, the project has moved from inception to a functional alpha-version prototype.Bitcold was incorporated in late 2010, with a commercial release expected in 2011.

"Bitcold Technology is a perfect example of how collaboration and cross-pollination can lead to effective, pragmatic solutions. Lakehead University's Faculty of Engineering worked with partners in the medical field to produce an innovative new software system that improves efficiency in the health care realm. NOSM and the TBRHSC have been ideal community partners to help deploy and refine the platform because of their smaller team sizes, openness to new documentation systems, and drive to become leaders in medical academics, inter-professional care, and education," says Dr. Rachid Benlamri, Chair of Lakehead's Software Engineering Department and Chief Operations Officer of Bitcold.

Lakehead Researchers and Supporters from L-R: Dr. Rui Wang, Dr. Ed Rawana, Dr. Brian Stevenson, Dr. Keith Brownlee, Minister Michael Gravelle, Councillor Iain Angus, and Dr. Richard Khoury

Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research, Economic Development, and Innovation), adds that these are the kinds of technologies and community partnerships that showcase Lakehead University's competitiveness with other universities. "Lakehead is proud of its entrepreneurial faculty, world-class research programs and resulting innovative research outcomes. Lakehead's research is proving time and time again to be socially relevant, solving real-world issues, and contributing to economic development of the regions Lakehead serves and society as a whole."

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Media: Researchers and partners are available for interview. To arrange interview times, please contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca. Director of Communications, Eleanor Abaya, at 807-343-8372 or eabaya@lakeheadu.ca can also be reached for information or assistance.

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 8,280 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

The event is the second such conference for Lakehead University, following in the footsteps of the successful economic development gathering held at the University's Thunder Bay campus last November.

President Brian J.R. Stevenson
at Lakehead-Orillia Learning Common
Photo: Sara Ross, Packet and Times, Orillia

"The University is more than the sum of its parts and Lakehead University, with its roots in two communities, recognizes that great education and economic development are deeply intertwined," said Lakehead president Dr. Brian Stevenson. "The knowledge of our faculty and the skills of our graduates are most effective when they are connected with the aspirations of the community. Sometimes this connection is seen in the practical applications of our research, sometimes in the impact that bright graduates can have on growing businesses, sometimes in the way the members of the University community contribute to the culture and social life of the cities in which they reside, but it is always there," added Stevenson.

"This conference will help the President's Advisory Committee for Simcoe County, previously announced, in its chosen task. In the coming months I'll be looking for members from the community to join the committee so we can continue this work."

Over 120 delegates attended the conference at Lakehead " Orillia's new University Avenue campus, the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^®) Platinum campus in Canada.

"The Orillia campus of Lakehead University is excited to be part of this thrust. We have brought together some of the leading innovators and thinkers in economic development," noted Kim Fedderson, the Dean of Orillia. "We hope this conference will be a milestone on Lakehead University's journey with the people of Orillia and Simcoe County. I am convinced that Lakehead's future is inseparable from healthy economic growth in the communities served by Lakehead University."

Dr. Rui Wang, Lakehead's VP for Research, Economic Development and Innovation, said "There is a clear link between University research and economic development, of which the commercialization of research is a part. I am pleased to see the strong expression of support from the community and look forward to many years of cooperation."

The conference opened with remarks from Bruce Stanton, MP Simcoe North; Garfield Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North; Chief Sharon Stinson-Henry, Rama First Nation; Deputy Warden Harry Hughes, Simcoe County; and City of Orillia Mayor, Angelo Orsi.

A number of high-profile speakers spoke at the conference, including Dr. Warren Jestin, Chief Economist, Scotiabank; Dr. Robert (Bob) Rosehart, Former President of Wilfrid Laurier and Lakehead Universities; Dr. Tibor Turi, Manager, Ontario Regional NSERC Office; Dave Love, President, Rosstech Signals Inc.; and Dr. Bahram Dadgostar, Dean, Faculty of Business Administration, Lakehead University. Their presentations focused on the role Lakehead plays in particular aspects of economic development and how the University can advance economic opportunities through community partnerships, student enrolment, faculty-initiated research, and commercialization.

Following the presentations, delegates joined in a discussion forum moderated by the Honourable Doug Lewis, Former Solicitor General of Canada.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Dr. Warren Jestin, Chief Economist, Scotiabank

Warren Jestin joined Scotiabank over 20 years ago and has become a popular public speaker and media commentator on economic issues in Canada and abroad. His expertise, both about Canadian and global economic issues, is extensive and his team's research work is leading-edge. In addition to his Master's degree and a PhD, Jestin acquired economics experience at the Bank of Canada and has taught at several universities.

Dave Love, President, Rosstech Signals Inc.

Dave Love is an alumnus of Lakehead University (HBSc, 1993) and the University of Western Ontario (MSc, 1995). He founded Rosstech Signals Inc. in 1998. Based in Orillia, Ontario, the company is a leading developer of innovative LED applications and controls.

Dr. Bahram Dadgostar, Dean, Faculty of Business Administration, Lakehead University

An outstanding teacher, researcher, and administrator, Dr. Dadgostar has been the Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration since 1995. His research and teaching career reflects an avid interest in a number of diverse areas, including economic theory, international finance, options and futures, corporate finance, research method, quantitative methods and econometrics.

Dr. Dadgostar is the Vice Chair of the Executive Board of Directors of the Canadian Federation of Business School Deans and presently is on the Board of the Canadian-Ontario Business Service Center. He has served on the Executive Board of Directors of Canadian Consortium of Management Schools and is on the Board of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Tibor Turi, Manager, Ontario Regional NSERC Office

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) - Ontario is committed to promoting industry-academic partnerships throughout the province through a variety of outreach activities. The NSERC " Ontario office has supported Lakehead University in the past and looks forward to new partnerships with the Orillia campus. NSERC " Ontario supports the development of collaborative research opportunities between small to medium sized business and universities.

Dr. Bob Rosehart, Former President, Lakehead University and Wilfrid Laurier University

Dr. Rosehart has extensive experience in the areas of senior administration and public policy. He has served as President for both Lakehead University and Wilfrid Laurier University, and recently served as a Northwestern Ontario Economic Facilitator and Interim Principal of Renison University College. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Waterloo University, as well as three honorary degrees. Currently, Dr. Rosehart participates on a selection of boards and committees: he chairs the Board for Intelligent Mechatronic Systems and serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors, St. Paul's College, University of Waterloo.

Increasingly, the Waterloo Region is quoted as an example of an economy that has successfully transformed itself. Dr. Rosehart outlines some of the history and future trends of economic transition in the region as well as the significant role that post-secondary education has played in the most recent transformations. Experience learned from the Waterloo Region has and can continue to give insight and direction to other regions of Canada.

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Media: For more information, please contact Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca (Orillia), Janine Chiasson, Office of Communications, Lakehead University (Thunder Bay) at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca, or Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications at 807-343-8372 or eabaya@lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia. It offers post-secondary undergraduate and graduate programs as well as research expertise that meet specific regional needs. The University is known for its multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Lakehead-Orillia opened in 2006, and in September 2010 opened the doors of its new Academic Building at 500 University Avenue. This is the first phase in the development of Canada's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Platinum university campus.

In September 2009, Chris Lusty decided to go back to school. He enrolled in the part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Lakehead - Orillia, a move he felt would provide an intellectual challenge and help him move into a new, second career.

After being successfully self-employed for the past 25 years, Lusty says he is ready for a change and sees having his MBA degree as something that will help open doors to future opportunities. He plans to sell his business within the next few years, but is not planning to retire. "I hope to get involved in something different -- maybe helping out a small business or working with a non-profit organization overseas. I think a degree in business, along with my scientific background, will help me do this," explains Lusty.

Lusty is a professional engineer (PEng) who designs software for a product manufactured by Canada's largest scientific equipment distributor. The product, and Lusty's work over the past few decades, goes back to an idea Lusty had after graduating with a Bachelor Degree in Science and Engineering from the University of Guelph. He designed a product that would automate titrations (chemical testing procedure), that are used in potable and wastewater testing. He started off with National Research Council funding and, along with a business partner, developed the product over the years into what has become the second largest supplier of the technology in the world. "Although there are other companies that produce a similar product, ours is the only one that automates the testing of up to 200 samples at a time," remarks Lusty. "The current market for the product is good," he says. "I am writing [software] everyday as we improve and re-design the product to meet market demands."

Now a part-time student, Lusty spends an average of 12 hours per week on his studies, which includes class time and related work. "At the Master's level, we're not spoon fed," notes Lusty. "We're expected to attend lectures, complete reading assignments and conduct research, all in preparation for contributions during class time. A large portion of our mark is for participation."

The MBA program at Lakehead - Orillia is a part-time three year program, with classes held during evenings year-round. Unlike full-time programs that allow electives, all courses are required. A number of courses are video-linked with business classes offered at Lakehead's Thunder Bay campus, while others are taught by two full-time business professors at the Orillia campus.

Lusty, now half-way through the program, finds it challenging and fascinating. "I am learning about things I've never had a chance to study before," says Lusty. He cites a recent class taught by Lakehead - Orillia's Dr. Herman van den Berg as an example. "I know something about financial products, such as securities and bonds, but through this class, I have gained more in-depth information about why and how bonds get valued -- it's fascinating."

Professor van den Berg says the MBA program is well-suited to anyone who wants a broader picture of business. "The program provides students with a better understanding of the economy and how it affects a business or organization," he says. "It puts them in a better position to make smart decisions."

Lusty believes the knowledge he has gained through the Lakehead program is already providing practical benefits. When not at the computer working on intricate, scientific designs, or preparing for his business classes, Lusty can be found at the Mariposa Folk Festival meeting table or in front of an audience introducing a musical act. Lusty is president of the renowned Folk Festival and has volunteered with the organization for the past seven years.

"My studies at Lakehead will certainly help with my volunteer work as Festival president," says Lusty. "I have a better understanding of the 'books' and I'll be more knowledgeable when talking to our treasurer." The additional insight into human resources issues has also been beneficial. "Even though our human resources, for the most part, are volunteers, they have many of the same issues as do paid employees."

As Lusty has discovered, the Lakehead MBA program emphasizes applied knowledge, in addition to a good grounding in theory. As a student of the program, he will graduate with a toolkit that he can apply to his business, to his volunteer position, and to wherever his new career or future challenges takes him.



Chris Lusty, Master of Business Administration (MBA) student at Lakehead University - Orillia, catches up on his e-reading in between classes.

(Jan. 25, 2011 - Orillia, ON) Lakehead University's Office of Aboriginal Initiatives and Lakehead - Orillia Student Affairs launched a new Aboriginal Elders' Teaching Series on Tuesday, January 25 at the Lakehead - Orillia University Avenue campus.

The Series consists of 12 sessions led by Ernie Sandy, Lakehead - Orillia's Elder-in-Residence, and will focus on topics related to Aboriginal culture. The sessions are free to attend, and are open to staff, faculty, students, as well as community members. Read the Packet and Times story.

Learn more about the series.