Federal Government announces new Canada Research Chair at Lakehead University

Photo of Dr. Charles Levkoe

Dr. Charles Levkoe

December 2, 2016 – Thunder Bay, ON

An assistant professor in Lakehead University’s Department of Health Sciences, Dr. Charles Levkoe, has been named the Tier II Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Food Systems.

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, made the announcement today in Toronto.

Dr. Levkoe’s research project will investigate ways that academics and community-based practitioners, such as food producers, public health workers and Indigenous communities, can build more equitable and sustainable food systems to address social, economic and environmental challenges.

"As the Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Food Systems I am excited to engage with the research and lived experiences of scholars, practitioners and social movements to build more sustainable food systems for all,” Dr. Levkoe said.

“I look forward to working closely with faculty and students at Lakehead University and with people in Thunder Bay and the surrounding region to better understand solutions that are socially just, ecological regenerative and have a regional economic focus.”

With this announcement, Lakehead now has 11 Canada Research Chairs.

“This is great news for Lakehead University, for Northwestern Ontario, and for Dr. Levkoe,” said Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation.

“I want to congratulate Dr. Levkoe and thank the Federal Government for once again recognizing the important research happening at Lakehead,” he said.

Recently, and for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead University research first among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

“It is fantastic news that Lakehead University is among this year’s Research Chair recipients,” said the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women.

“Lakehead continues to be a leader in research and innovation. This announcement will allow the University to continue to attract the world’s most accomplished and promising minds and further their excellence in research.  Lakehead University truly is exceptional and a tremendous asset for Northwestern Ontario,” she said.

 

 

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

Lakehead University has about 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.