Ingenuity is Lakehead University's business incubator. We offer space and resources for students who are looking to start a business or develop their idea. Along with providing space for budding entrepreneurs Ingenuity also offers a learning environment to help develop knowledge and skills that help support business development and growth.

About the Ingenuity Accelerator program: Ingenuity Ascend Accelerator program is a great opportunity for entrepreneurial minded Lakehead students and alumni looking to transition an idea into a business opportunity or accelerate the growth and development of their early stage start-up. The Ingenuity Accelerator program will accepts up to four business ideas per cohort and deliver up to $5000 per business idea for costs associated with business development.

Important Dates
Application close: April 20, 2025
Interviews to be held the week of April 28, 2025
Program starts: May 12, 2025 (8-10 week duration)
Application link: https://forms.gle/hdf7ipABCxMj1wMP8

What to expect (what participants should be ready for)
Ingenuity Ascend participants can expect the following daily activities:

• Throughout the 10-week program, early-stage companies will have the opportunity to:
  • Participate in networking events
  • Attend business development workshop sessions
  • Connect with entrepreneurial mentors
  • Participate in milestone meetings with Ingenuity staff to review progress and set upcoming month milestone goals.
  • Access up to $5000 per team to help fund business development activities (some restrictions apply)

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have at least one founder connected to Lakehead University (Student or Alumni up to 1 year post graduation)
• Must be willing to commit to the program
• Must have decision-making ability
• Must participate in all Ingenuity Ascend events, workshops and competitions throughout the program duration (available in online format for Orillia participants)
• Must be eligible and meet the requirements of starting and running a business in Canada

FAQ’s
Q. Does it cost anything to join the program?
A. There is no cost for this program. This program is completely free for all current students and recent graduates from Lakehead University.

Q. Do I need to have my business running to join?
A. No, we encourage applications from all stages of business development including the idea stage.

Q. What is the time commitment like?
A. Ingenuity requires one milestone meeting per week (up to an hour) as well as there will be workshops throughout the 10 week program. Ingenuity will work with the participants to schedule workshops and meetings at mutually agreed upon times. It is understood the participants may be in classes or working and Ingenuity will work with them to find the best suited times.

Q. Is Ingenuity only for business students?
A. No, we serve students from all disciplines.

Q. Does Ingenuity take any equity or royalties of my company if I use their services?
A. Ingenuity does not take any equity or royalties of any kind.

Q. Who can I contact for questions?
A. For all general inquiries, please email info.ingenuity@lakeheadu.ca

Funding restrictions
The Ingenuity Ascend program will cover some costs associated with business development and will disperse funds based on a milestone delivery plan. Some costs that are not eligible for this program include rent, labour and wages, and large inventory purchase. All spending will need to be approved through the program coordinator prior to purchase to ensure it is eligible.

The Department of Visual Arts invites you to visit the 40th Juried Student Exhibition and the Honours Student Exhibition at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, on Friday, March 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. The awards ceremony takes place at 7:30 p.m.

The highly anticipated student art exhibitions will celebrate a 40-year partnership and collaboration between Thunder Bay Art Gallery and Lakehead University's Department of Visual Arts.

This event is free and open to the public on the opening night.

The Juried Exhibition will be on display from March 15 to April 13 and the Honours Exhibition will run from March 7 through April 6.

The event is sponsored by the Lakehead University Alumni Association and BrokerLink Insurance. 

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is located at 1080 Keewatin Street. Please visit the gallery website for more information about the exhibitions

The University of the Arctic (UArctic) has opened registration for the 2025 UArctic Webinar Series, designed to explore key issues affecting the Arctic and Northern communities of Canada.The UArctic's 2025 Webinar Series will bring together international experts, researchers, and community leaders to discuss leadership, education, economic development, and health in Arctic Canada. Webinars already scheduled include:

• Decolonizing Education and Policy in Canada (May 7, 2025)
• Arctic Economy and Business Development (August 13, 2025)
• Arctic Health and Well-Being (October 22, 2025)

For more information and how to register, go to https://www.uarctic.org/news/2025/2/webinar-announcement-uarctic-webinar-series-2025

Check out our March 2025 Newsletter! It's jam-packed with news, events and resources: https://conta.cc/3FculIO

In recognition of BMO's generous $1 million gift announced at the Research and Innovation Awards ceremony, Dan Adams, Vice President of Indigenous Banking at BMO Financial Group, was presented with a piece of Indigenous artwork by Denise Baxter, Vice-Provost Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University, on behalf of the university.

Thunder Bay, ON – Students at Lakehead University will soon have access to enriched experiences through a new outdoor learning space dedicated to Indigenous education, cultural engagement, and community connection thanks to a $1 million donation from BMO.

This generous support, spread over five years, aligns with Lakehead University’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, student success, and forming meaningful partnerships with like-minded organizations. The new outdoor learning space is part of the university’s broader, ongoing, and evolving Gichi Kendaasiwin project. The space will serve as a gathering place for Indigenous learners, fostering connections among students, Elders, and knowledge keepers while supporting key programs like the Indigenous Transition Year Program and the Indigenous Cultural Traditions Club.

BMO’s donation underscores its dedication to supporting education for Indigenous peoples and students, and creating lasting, student-focused impacts.

“BMO is proud to support this Indigenous learning space in partnership with Lakehead University,” said Helen Siebel, Head of Employee and Corporate Giving, BMO. “This five-year commitment will support students by providing a meaningful connection and enriched education to advance Truth and Reconciliation. Investing in the communities we serve is inspired by BMO’s Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life.”

“This partnership with BMO is a pivotal moment for Lakehead University as we deepen our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and embed the concept of Gichi Kendaasiwin - meaning ‘higher knowledge’ in Ojibwe - that is designed to create inclusive, culturally relevant spaces that empower Indigenous learners and foster community connections,” said Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University. “Lakehead is dedicated to fostering a campus that celebrates Indigenous culture, learning, and leadership. This new Indigenous learning space will be a place for students to connect, learn, and grow, and it will serve as a lasting reminder of our dedication to Truth and Reconciliation. Lakehead is grateful to BMO for helping us lay a solid foundation for a stronger, more inclusive future at Lakehead University.” 

Lakehead University is committed to strengthening Indigenous learning experiences at the university. Approximately 13% of Lakehead’s student population identifies as Indigenous, and these student experiences will be enhanced by the revitalizing and reimagining of the Gichi Kendaaswin project. Through renewed leadership under Dr. Gillian Siddall, deep collaboration with Indigenous leaders and community members, and emerging funding partners like BMO, Lakehead is refining the vision for Gichi Kendaasiwin to ensure it aligns with the contemporary needs and aspirations of the community it aims to serve.

The creation of this new outdoor learning space marks the first step in this journey toward a renewed concept of Gichi Kendaaswin at Lakehead University – laying the groundwork for a sustainable, impactful space that will foster Indigenous-led learning, cultural revitalization, and a welcoming environment for all.

"As the Chair of the Ogimaawin Indigenous Education Council, I am deeply grateful and excited for BMO’s support. This is more than just a donation – it is a meaningful recognition of the importance of creating spaces where Indigenous learners can connect, grow, and carry forward our ways of knowing,” said Precious Anderson, Ogimaawin Indigenous Education Council (OIEC) Chair. “For too long, Indigenous peoples have been historically disadvantaged in educational spaces, and Gichi Kendaasiwin represents a commitment to changing that narrative. It is about honouring our teachings, languages, and communities, and this partnership, rooted in the spirit of reconciliation, helps bring that vision to life in a powerful and lasting way."

BMO’s contribution will be recognized at Lakehead University’s Research and Innovation Awards of Excellence Gala on February 27, 2025, where representatives from BMO and Lakehead will participate in a cheque presentation ceremony.

BMO Gives. Good grows here.

Helping communities thrive by supporting the organizations that sustain them and encouraging employee giving and volunteerism is at the heart of BMO's Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. In 2024, we directed more than $108 million to drive progress for communities, which included $101 million in philanthropic contributions to hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations across North America. Our colleagues spent over 54,000 hours volunteering in the community and contributed more than $39 million of donations through employee-driven giving in our annual campaigns. For more information, please visit BMO.com.

Distinguished Researcher Dr. Christopher Mushquash and daughter, Senate Research Committee Chair Dr. Tamara Varney, and Distinguished Researcher Dr. Sandra Jeppesen.

Thunder Bay, Ont. – New ideas and innovations were on full display as Lakehead University celebrated the 20th annual Research & Innovation Week, February 24 to 28 in Thunder Bay.

Researchers, students, not-for-profit and industry partners, and community members engaged in discussion, shared knowledge and expertise, and fostered new collaborations to support economic development and innovation in the north and beyond.

“Research & Innovation Week is a platform for knowledge exchange and innovation, an opportunity to advance our understanding of how the work of people in our community adds to our understanding of individuals, groups, and societies – what we think, how we live, and how we interact with each other and the world around us – and leads to advancements that not only improve, but enhance lives,” explained Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Vice-President of Research and Innovation.

The milestone year kicked off in Thunder Bay with Science Carnival, a free public event held in collaboration with Science North at the Intercity Shopping Centre—3,800 people visited 30+ exhibitor booths and had the opportunity to participate in live science experiments and demonstrations.

Over 32 public lectures, interactive exhibits, performances, and research workshops welcomed community members to the Thunder Bay Campus to hear from esteemed researchers and students on a broad range of topics including health promotion, dementia and aging in place, inclusive AI knowledge mobilization, and more.

Not to mention, 52 undergraduate and 65 graduate students shared their scholarly and creative activity with their peers through research conferences and poster competitions. At the graduate level, Dylan Di Carlo, a master of science candidate in Anthropology, was crowned champion of the 2025 Lakehead Three Minute Thesis (3MTⓇ) competition, and Alexandra Haak, master of science candidate in Forestry from the Orillia Campus, was named finalist of the GRADflix competition.

One of the standout moments was the celebration of distinguished faculty and students during the Research and Innovation Awards of Excellence. “The impact of the work researchers do on- and off-campus shapes the reputation of Lakehead University as an institution dedicated to research excellence,” stated Dr. Dean.

Two distinguished Lakehead professors were among this year’s honorees: Dr. Christopher Mushquash and Dr. Sandra Jeppesen were recognized with the 2025 Distinguished Researcher Award.

Scholar, scientist, and clinical psychologist, Dr. Mushquash’s contributions in the field of Indigenous mental health and addictions are well documented and have garnered international and national recognition, including the 2023 Canada Gairdner Momentum Award. As Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction, Professor in the Department of Psychology, Vice President Research at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Chief Scientist, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Dr. Mushquash has devoted his career to addressing mental health- and addiction-related issues in rural and Indigenous communities with an eye toward training and capacity-building for the next generation.

For Dr. Mushquash, this award is recognition of the collective efforts of the trainees, staff, colleagues, and community partners who contribute to research. "Collaboration ensures that research is responsive to community needs. This award highlights the importance of advancing knowledge that supports improvement," he said. 

"More broadly, I want our research to contribute to improving mental health services, policies, and outcomes," explained Dr. Mushquash. "If our work can help create culturally- and contextually-relevant, effective supports that honour Indigenous perspectives and knowledge, then we will have made a meaningful impact."

Dr. Jeppesen joined Lakehead University in 2010 and is a professor in Media, Film, and Communications in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Orillia Campus. Through ground-breaking research, methodological innovations, and transnational collaborations, Dr. Jeppesen has transformed how scholars and practitioners conceptualize the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and power within alternative media studies.

“When I began this work, the field of alternative media largely overlooked the nuanced experiences and practices of marginalized groups, such as women, 2SLGBTQ+, and BIPOC groups,” she said.

Since then, her work has influenced significant changes in laws, policies, and practices with respect to a range of issues such as immigration, mental health, digital engagement, racial and gender equity, and 2SLGBTQ+ rights.

“Thank you to the Senate Research Committee, and the community partners, colleagues, and students I’ve had the honour and privilege of working with over the years.”

A full list of award recipients follows:

2025 Research & Innovation Awards of Excellence recipients

Distinguished Researcher Award
Dr. Christopher Mushquash, Department of Psychology
Dr. Sandra Jeppesen, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

Research Excellence Awards
NSERC Category
Dr. Waleed Ejaz, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

SSHRC Category
Dr. Idevania Costa, School of Nursing

Indigenous Partnership Research Award
Dr. Anna Koné Péfoyo, Department of Health Sciences and Dr. Lana Ray, Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, for their project, “Impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous Communities”. Partners include Ariel Root and Janet Gordon, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority; Paul Capon, Matawa First Nations Chiefs Council; and Janice Spencer and Serena Joseph, Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe'iyewigamig.

Community Engaged Research Award
Dr. Erin Pearson, School of Kinesiology, and partners Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Our Kids Count, and City of Thunder Bay, for their project, “The Healthy Kids HOME (Health on the Move for Equity) Program: Examining the Feasibility of a Neighbourhood-based Health Promotion Service Model for Equity Deserving Children and Families”.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research Award
Dr. Pauline Sameshima, Faculty of Education, for the project, “EDI in the HOPE Collaboratory’s Community Engagement”.

Innovation Award
Bryan Wong, LLB Student, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law

Three-Minute Thesis
First Place: Dylan Di Carlo, MSc Candidate, Department of Anthropology (Supervisor: M. Boyd)

Second Place: Siddharth Kishore, MSc Candidate, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Supervisor: F. Gaffar)

People’s Choice Award (tie):

Navneet Kaur, PhD Candidate, Department of Physics, “Optical Sensor for Monitoring Trace Chemicals in Environment & Food Systems” (Supervisor: G. Das)

KarLee Lefebvre, MSc Candidate, School of Kinesiology, “Alcohol & Heat: A Dangerous Cocktail” (Supervisor: N. Ravanelli)

GRADflix Award
First place: Alexandra Haak, MSc Candidate, Faculty of Natural Resources Management (Supervisor: F. Pendea)

People's Choice Award: Francis Agada, PhD Candidate, Department of Chemistry, “From Molecules to materials: Crafting the next generation of 2D functional materials” (Supervisor: M. Ebrahimi)

Graduate Studies Research Excellence Awards
Natural Sciences and Engineering Category
Vira Grynko, PhD Chemistry & Materials Science (Supervisor: M. Albert)

Social Sciences and Humanities Category
Chelsea Noël, PhD Clinical Psychology (Supervisor: D. Scharf)

Health Research Category
Douglas Newhouse, MSc Kinesiology (Supervisor: N. Ravanelli)

Graduate Student Conference Poster Winners
Winner Engineering Category
Mona Mohammadkhani, PhD Candidate, Department of Chemical Engineering (Supervisor: L. Pakzad)

Winner NSERC Category
Amy Stieh, MSc Candidate, Department of Physics (Supervisor: A. Reznik)

Winner SSHRC Category
Maaja Sepa, MHSc Candidate, Department of Health Sciences (Supervisor: E. Wiersma)

Post-Doctoral Fellow Excellence Award
Viktoriia Batarchuk, Department of Chemistry (Supervisor: M. Albert)

Thunder Bay, Ont. – Lakehead University researchers Dr. Sudip Rakshit and Dr. Chris Southcott have been appointed international research chairs with the University of the Arctic (UArctic), supporting sustainable development and resilience in the Circumpolar North.

Dr. Rakshit is Chair in Integrated Sustainability Analysis and Circular Bioeconomy and Dr. Southcott is Chair in Resources and Sustainable Communities. As UArctic chairs, they are leading initiatives to advance knowledge and strengthen international partnerships in and for the North for the next five years.

A professor in chemical engineering and Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in Bioenergy and Biorefining Processes, Dr. Rakshit’s work addresses critical environmental challenges with a focus on resource recovery, waste reduction, and materials reuse, all of which hold significant implications for the Arctic region and beyond.

“In the Arctic region there are lots of marine and terrestrial resources available, but how do we use them in a manner that is technically, economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable and limits climate change,” he said.

Alongside international collaborators, Dr. Rakshit is exploring the potential of using marine and terrestrial products like algae and grasses to produce biofuels and other bioproducts. “I hope to develop efficient and sustainable biorefining processes that meet the tough conditions of the Arctic and contribute to sustainable resource utilization and security.”

Dr. Chris Southcott, a professor of sociology with close to 40 years of northern research experience in Canada and other Arctic countries, is looking at the impact of resource development – particularly mining, forestry, and oil and gas – on Arctic and Northern communities and how those communities can have more say in the development of resources that take place in their region and how they can benefit from them.

“There have been negative impacts from resource development in Northern communities,” he explained, “so my research looks at how to lessen those negative impacts and enable communities to gain more control, first of all, of the development that goes on in their region, and secondly, reap the benefits from the development to help make them sustainable.”

“My main job as a UArctic Chair is to do anything I can to try and make sure that research being done on the Circumpolar North is done with more of a focus on the needs of the people that live in the region.”

The UArctic is a network of 200 universities, colleges, research institutes, and other organizations concerned with education and research in and about the North. The network promotes a multidisciplinary approach to learning about the Circumpolar North, which includes understanding its lands, seas and environments; peoples and cultures; and the contemporary issues facing the region. Lakehead University is pleased to be a partner in the UArctic chair program.

“Having two international research appointments is a testament to the high quality of research happening at Lakehead University,” explained Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Vice-President of Research and Innovation. “It shows that Lakehead is a leader when it comes to research on and for the North; it’s fabulous that we have esteemed researchers taking part in this international effort.”

The Rita Nicholas Undergraduate Research Conference celebrates emerging researchers at Lakehead University, presenting undergraduate students the opportunity to share their research with peers and the public. This year's conference will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Thunder Bay, Ont. – A prominent showcase of research excellence at Lakehead University is celebrating an important milestone: 20 years of Research & Innovation Week!

Demonstrating the exceptional work of Lakehead University researchers in the north for the north, Research & Innovation Week has evolved over the last 20 years to include public lectures, interactive exhibits, art and music performances, and more, revealing the growing impact of Lakehead research locally, nationally, and internationally.

“Lakehead has a deep tradition of research excellence,” explained Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Vice-President of Research and Innovation. “By opening our campus to the public and the world we can highlight the profound impact our faculty, student, and staff researchers have on our community and beyond through the advancement of new perspectives and innovations.”

The scope and depth of research activity at Lakehead University were acknowledged in the 2024 Research Infosource Top 50 Research Universities rankings; Lakehead was named a Canadian research powerhouse in the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and maintained its spot as one of the top three universities in Canada in the Research University of the Year competition in the undergraduate category.

“I am immensely proud of the extent of research activity happening at Lakehead University, work that continues to advance knowledge, improve lives, and change our world in meaningful ways,” Dr. Dean said.

To celebrate the 20th year, over 30 events are taking place on the Thunder Bay campus from February 22 to 28, featuring topics for everyone. On Saturday, Feb. 22, in collaboration with Science North, there is a free public event at the Intercity Mall between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. with hands-on activities and fun for the whole family. Then, on Monday, Feb. 24 at 12 p.m., Lakehead welcomes keynote speaker, explorer and author Jill Heinerth, the first Explorer-in-Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, to share her incredible career and talk about reaching beyond limitations, challenging the unknown, and overcoming fears, while sharing practical lessons on risk management and safety, discovery learning, failure, and collaboration.

Come find out why Lakehead University is one of the top research universities in Canada. For a full list of events and workshops, visit www.lakeheadu.ca/ri.

"Wild rice is culturally, nutritionally, and economically significant to the Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes area," says Lakehead Adjunct Biology Professor Dr. Vincent Palace.

According to their creation story, the Anishinaabe migrated inland from the eastern seaboard to the place where food grows on the water—that food was wild rice, or "manoomin" in the Ojibwe language.

Dr. Palace—who is also the head research scientist at the International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) research station about 60 km north of Kenora, Ontario—is part of an exciting research initiative focused on wild rice.

 The MANOOMIN project, which stands for Multi-culture Agribusiness for Northern Ontario Managed by Indigenous Nations, is a collaboration between the Myera Group (an Indigenous-led biotechnology company committed to fostering Indigenous food sovereignty), IISD-ELA researchers, Lakehead University, and several Treaty #3 Indigenous communities in northwestern Ontario.

"The Kenora Chiefs' Advisory, a cooperative of eight communities from the Treaty #3 area, are part of this project, and they've been amazing to work with!" Dr. Palace says.

Dr. Vincent Palace (left) processing wild rice. Dr. Palace’s research group is currently examining the effects of competition from cattails on wild rice. They’ve also studied how water levels affect the productivity of wild rice.

"Traditionally, most communities harvest this sacred food by canoeing among stands of wild rice growing in lakes, pulling wild rice plants over their canoes, and rapping them with a stick to knock the rice into their boats. This harvesting method means that some of the rice grains fall into the water, allowing the plants to reseed themselves every year."

Despite the importance of wild rice to Indigenous people, accessing and harvesting it has become more difficult. Hydroelectric production in northwestern Ontario's Rainy River system, for instance, has destroyed habitats where wild rice was typically harvested, and this destruction has been compounded by the spread of an invasive species of cattails that is choking out wild rice. An additional pressure comes from the increasing age of wild-rice harvesters and the growing danger that their knowledge will be lost. "The time to train younger generations to harvest rice and to remove the cattails is limited," Dr. Palace explains.

Wild rice is a nutritionally dense food that’s low in fat and high in fatty acids and fibre. Moreover, wild rice stands create higher-quality habitats for fish, birds, and other animals compared to habitats dominated by cattails.

The research team plans to strengthen these communities' food sovereignty by establishing fish farms in their territories that will be owned and operated by community members. The fish farms will have a dual purpose: the fish will provide an important food source and the solid and liquid waste they excrete will be used as a fertilizer to grow wild rice and traditional medicine plants. Fish waste contains ammonia and phosphorus—nutrients that wild rice plants need to grow. Myera will contribute its business expertise by helping the communities produce wild rice flour, rice cakes, protein shakes, bannock, and other foods for their own consumption, as well as for distribution and sale outside these communities.

Around 50 per cent of the wild rice consumed in Canada is, in fact, commercially cultivated wild rice imported from the United States. The flooded paddies this rice is grown in generates large amounts of methane gas. That's why MANOOMIN researchers are experimenting with growing rice in shallower water to reduce methane production. According to the IISD-ELA, a 10 per cent reduction in emissions would be equivalent to removing 10 million vehicles from the road.

"The overarching idea of marrying fish aquaculture and waste with wild rice production originated with Myera," Dr. Palace says, "although a lot of the work we're doing is based on the research of retired Lakehead biology professor Peter Lee."

MANOOMIN has just completed its third year and is now investigating how different wild rice varieties compete with cattails for nutrients. Next, they'll remove cattails and replace them with wild rice.

"As a scientist, doing research that will be useful to communities is very gratifying," Dr. Palace says.

The MANOOMIN project is possible because of the support of the Myera Group, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, Protein Innovation Supercluster, and Lakehead University.