His Inventions Have Saved Lives and Attracted Worldwide Attention

Despite being an inventor who holds 22 patents in the United States (U.S.)—and many more globally—Richard "Dick" Hembree (BEng'83) doesn't consider himself to be creative.

Dick is a born adventurer who loves flying and sailing.

"I see something that doesn't work, or doesn't do its job very well, and I think of a better way of doing it," says Dick, who lives in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.

"A patent has to be useful, non-obvious, and unique, and most of the things I come up with are like that. It always starts with a problem I want to solve rather than a dream I want to accomplish."

A Daring Designer

Growing up in Burnaby, British Columbia, Dick always had hobby projects on the go.

"My dad was a do-it-yourself type of guy—he grew up on a farm and fixed things all the time, and as a young kid, I was taking things apart and making them do things they weren't made to do," he recalls.

"When I was 10, I made a little motorized contraption to close the drapes in my room—silly stuff like that."

Dick with the Hydra-Cell Pump he designed for use in the oil and gas industries. Any liquid that runs through the pump is 100% contained, and eliminates VOC chemicals, emissions, and hazards.

In high school, he decided to become an automotive mechanic and machinist.

Long-time friend Don Middleton says he's always admired the way Dick's mind works.

"In high school, my neighbour gave us a compressor from a refrigerator, and we actually thought we could snorkel underwater with this as a breathing apparatus, but it was a big failure," he laughs.

"But that didn't stop Dick from carrying on. We altered a small open sailboat and added a 'cuddy cabin' so we could sleep in it and then sailed over to Vancouver Island. His bravery allowed him to tackle anything.

At 17, he tried to rejig and adapt a Volkswagen into a sports car. He was the kind of guy that would rip the whole body off and make a new one out of fibreglass."

Lakehead Lays the Groundwork

After graduating magna cum laude from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) with a diploma in mechanical technology in 1979, he was recruited by Canada's Defense Research Establishment Pacific (DREP) in Esquimalt, British Columbia, as a technologist.

At DREP, he designed and built mechanical equipment used in ocean acoustic research.

"We had our own little engineering group, so I was machining parts and designing things like experimental underwater acoustic listening devices, pressure-vessel equipment with electronics, winches, and other equipment for ships," he says.

But while Dick enjoyed the work, he felt he could lead the design team, rather than follow other people's ideas, so after two years at DREP, he enrolled in Lakehead's post-diploma engineering degree program.

"One personal philosophy that has evolved over my life is that you should never stop learning," Dick says.

"Lakehead was one of my best choices because it had a good mechanical engineering transfer program for BCIT graduates, and it felt like a good fit for me," he says.

"I enjoyed those Lakehead years, and the professors were very good.

At BCIT, we learned about the practical application of science, but at Lakehead we went more deeply into the use of differential equations, which I found really interesting.

In high school, I never was able to connect the dots and see what I would do with things like calculus, but I felt that connection at Lakehead."

Creating the World's Smallest Seawater Desalinator

After graduating with first class standing, Dick was ready for a new chapter.

"I felt like I could get into any field and enjoy it. I wanted to design things, and I was interested in manufacturing and engineering," he says.

Dick was intrigued by Vancouver-based Seagold Industries, which was testing a hand-operated desalinator.

"I liked the idea of making drinking water from seawater with a little hand pump, and I was impressed with the concept of it, so I contacted the company and told them I thought I could add something to it," he recalls.

"They hired me."

As Seagold's newest design engineer, Dick did much more than just add something to it.

Working with their basic, larger pump, he designed the world's smallest seawater desalinator and became a leading global expert in the process.

Dick designed, developed, and put into production the first hand-powered pumps to purify seawater for use on life rafts, ships, and planes.

Seagold's reverse-osmosis water purification devices use energy-recovery technology, which allows users to purify seawater with little effort.

With Dick's input, the company quickly attracted the attention of the U.S. Air Force, which asked him to design a small desalinator to fit into its two-by-six-by-eight-inch ejection seat survival kits.

Soon afterwards, Minneapolis-based Wanner Engineering acquired Seagold's patents, installing Dick as chief engineer of their new spin-off company, Recovery Engineering, in 1986.

His new task: Designing and developing a small hand-operated desalinator for the U.S. Navy's 25-man life rafts.

"There were very few people working on hand-operated desalinators; that's why it was so unique to have a small one," Dick says.

"It was pretty scary at first; I was still a little inexperienced and suddenly I was doing a proposal for the U.S. Navy.

Then I designed a motorized version we could sell commercially and that did fairly well—it was the only 12-volt low-powered desalinator on the market."

Shipwreck Victims Survive Pacific Ocean Disaster

In 1989, a few years after Dick's team started Recovery Engineering, a Florida couple on an around-the-world voyage had their boat capsized by a school of pilot whales, forcing them onto their lifeboat.

Bill and Simone Butler were adrift for 66 days in the Pacific Ocean before they were miraculously rescued 1,200 miles off the coast of Costa Rica.

Pilot whales capsized Simone and Bill Butler's sailboat in 1989. Fortunately, Dick's desalinator provided them with drinking water during their ordeal. Photo Credit: Pexels/Jeffrey Eisen

They couldn't have survived that long if it weren't for Dick's invention—the Recovery Survivor-35 pump—which extracted three litres of freshwater from the ocean every day until they were rescued.

Coverage on CBS, People Magazine, and other news outlets boosted the company's reputation and its sales.

"I remember getting phone calls from people telling me to watch the news. There was a photo of the Butlers holding up the desalinator after their rescue. That notoriety really helped us build the company."

Procter & Gamble Come Calling for Dick's Water Purifiers

Dick went on to develop desalinators for other countries along with a line of hand-operated and low-power desalinators for a brand-new market—the recreational marine consumer.

From there, he designed and patented the first hand-pumped outdoor backpacking water purifiers under the PŪR brand and household faucet-mounted filters that sold so well, Procter & Gamble (P&G) bought the company in 1999.

Seeking consumer products with the potential for rapid growth, P&G hired Dick as the research and development director of their water purification division.

They were impressed by the way he had built up his engineering group from two to 500 employees, as well as his product-development processes.

Dick invented and patented the first hand pumps for hikers and backpackers so that they could purify water taken from lakes and streams.

"It's funny, I consider myself more of a mechanical designer than a water purification expert, but when I looked into what was on the market, the breakthrough came when I realized that companies couldn't make good on the claims of their household water purifiers to reduce lead levels," he says.

Dick discovered that by incorporating an end-of-life indicator into the purifier, the purifier could track how many gallons go through its filter and accurately measure chemical reduction levels.

"By doing that, we were able to get NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) International certifications."

By 2001, Dick's role had become more administrative, so he left P&G to form his own consulting firm.

He also became a major contributor to Wanner Engineering's unique high-pressure pumps and valves, which were designed to handle complex fluids for the oil and gas industries.

Always Keep Your Curiosity Alive

Dick's love of hobbies has never waned—he is an avid skier, and he piloted his own airplane for 10 years.

"I've sailed all my life, too," he says.

Dick's most important tip for young engineers and would-be inventors? Always stay curious.

"It's nice to specialize and get good at something, but it's amazing how much you can learn by delving into completely different areas.

Electronics has always been one of my passions, and although I'm not formally trained in it, I've learned to program in several languages and build things run by microprocessors I've programmed.

And when I hire employees, I look for people who have hobbies."

This month’s issue features an inspiring alumni profile on conservationist and freediver Teigan Labor, highlights from Research & Innovation Week, updates on the new Barrie STEM Hub, and information about upcoming Alumni Award nominations- along with other news and opportunities to stay connected.

Faculty and staff play an important role in shaping these alumni journeys, and we invite you to take a few minutes to explore the stories and share the issue with your networks.

Read the February Ezine: https://mailchi.mp/2f6b3199ba61/yocdplv0rt-6155992

Thank you for helping us celebrate and amplify the achievements of our Lakehead community.

Thunder Bay, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) are investing more than $1.4 million to strengthen mining and mineral exploration research at Lakehead University.

Through a $1 million investment from the NOHFC, Lakehead University will establish a five-year Lakehead University–NOHFC Industrial Research Chair in Mineral Exploration. An additional $440,948 investment from FedNor will support infrastructure for a new state-of-the-art microanalytical research lab, enhancing the university’s capacity to support sustainable mineral exploration in northern Ontario. This project unites industry expertise, government support, and academic excellence to solidify the region’s competitive advantage in mining research and innovation. 

“Mining is foundational to the economy of northwestern Ontario,” stated Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University. “Today’s investment from the NOHFC and FedNor strengthens not only the industry, but the people, communities and economies that depend on these raw materials. This strategic investment in Lakehead’s unmatched expertise doesn’t just support discovery, it strengthens Canada’s position as a world leader in responsible mining innovation.”

Dr. Peter Hollings, Professor and Chair of the Department of Geology, will hold the five-year Lakehead University-NOHFC Industrial Research Chair in Mineral Exploration. Dr. Hollings and his team will work with Kinross Gold Corporation to better understand the gold resources at their Great Bear Project near Red Lake while also finding new, economically viable mineral deposits to support the development of new mines.

“Ontario is proud to help fund the groundbreaking mineral exploration research taking place at Lakehead University,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “This $1‑million investment through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation demonstrates our government’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovation in the north. By supporting the five-year Industrial Research Chair in Mineral Exploration position, this partnership strengthens our mining sector, develops skilled talent, and fuels long‑term economic growth across the region.”

Dr. Hollings’ research program will also focus on developing new tools that can be applied by the Canadian mining industry to identify new gold deposits and create efficient exploration strategies, helping reduce the time and capital costs of discovering mineral resources. The results will lead to new understanding of gold mineralization that can be applied across northern Ontario and Canada.

“When we invest in natural resource development we invest in northern Ontario’s economy and Canada’s future,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor. “As northern Ontario is laying the groundwork for strong and resilient communities, investing in cutting-edge research and innovation helps us remain global leaders who maintain a position at the head of the table by staying smart and adaptable. This project will define the future of mining research, support our industry experts, and ensure our regions stay competitive for generations to come.”

In addition to advancing industry innovation, this funding will play a critical role in developing the skilled workforce needed to sustain and grow the sector. The new research chair will support five new graduate student positions, two postdoctoral fellows, and 15 fieldwork assistants over the next five years. Kinross Gold Corporation is contributing $500,000 in funding to support the training of these highly qualified personnel, along with materials, fieldwork, and travel costs. Lakehead University is providing an additional $559,000 to support the research chair.

“Ontario researchers are unlocking the potential of critical mineral development and further cementing our province as a global mining epicentre,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “With a new research chair, Lakehead University will continue making groundbreaking discoveries in this booming sector, keeping Ontario on the cutting edge of mining innovation.”

Quotes

“Mining is a driving force behind northwestern Ontario’s economy, creating good jobs and supporting communities across our region. By investing in research at Lakehead University, we are strengthening mineral exploration, advancing responsible development, and ensuring our region remains competitive in critical minerals. This partnership will help secure long-term growth while training the next generation of skilled professionals right here in the north.”

– The Hon. Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay - Atikokan 

“We believe the Great Bear project has the potential to create a lasting legacy in northwestern Ontario. We are pleased to have signed this 5-year partnership with a value of C$500,000 to support the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) Industrial Research Chair Program focused on mineral exploration and critical minerals processing research. The research is expected to support exploration efforts at the Great Bear site, with a focus on key Indigenous areas of input. We are confident that high quality scientific research conducted through this partnership will continue to strengthen our understanding of the project and ultimately support efforts to improve quality of life for communities in northwestern Ontario” 

– Eric Lamontagne, Senior Advisor, Canada Projects, Kinross Gold

“This joint investment reinforces Lakehead University’s commitment to academic excellence and the training of highly skilled professionals. Our focus on local innovation partnerships continues to drive regional job creation and economic growth. Dr. Hollings’ leadership as the Lakehead University-NOHFC Industrial Research Chair in Mineral Exploration ensures the next generation of geologists will gain invaluable hands-on experience and industry-ready skills.”

 – Dr. Langis Roy, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Lakehead University 

Thunder Bay, Ont. - With over 15 public talks, 13 research booths at the Science Carnival, and many community visitors to Lakehead University’s Thunder Bay campus over the last five days, officials consider this year’s event a sweeping success.

“At its heart, Research & Innovation Week is about the power of partnerships,” said Dr. Langis Roy, Vice-President of Research and Innovation. “Seeing community members, industry leaders, Lakehead students and researchers come together to connect and discuss current and future projects and partnerships strengthens the innovation ecosystem in Thunder Bay and beyond.”

The weeklong celebration kicked off with Science Carnival, a free public event held in partnership with Science North at the Intercity Shopping Centre. Over 3,200 people visited exhibitor booths where they enjoyed hands-on experiments and demonstrations for all ages.

Lakehead’s next generation of scholars was also on full display. Forty-six undergraduate and 56 graduate students shared their scholarly and creative activity with the community and their peers. Tanner Boyle, a Master of Computer Science student, claimed first place in the university’s annual Three Minute Thesis competition for his presentation on Alzheimer's stage classification. Master of Archaeological Science student, Ursula Kilbridge, won the 2026 GRADflix competition for her video, “Seeking Indigenous Guidelines for Laboratory Research on Plant and Animal Remains.”

At Lakehead’s 21st Annual Research Excellence Awards, researchers Dr. Anna Guttman and Dr. Sam Salem were recognized with the 2026 Distinguished Researcher Award.

An internationally recognized expert on South Asian literature and culture and Jewish Studies, Dr. Guttman, Professor in the Department of English, continues to elevate Lakehead’s global research profile. Over a 20-year career at Lakehead, she has produced four influential books and earned a reputation as a leading voice in postcolonial studies, exploring critical themes of diaspora, multiculturalism, globalization, and gender and sexuality. Her international influence is highlighted by her past role as the International President of the Association for Commonwealth Language and Literature Studies.

"I’m honoured to be named Lakehead’s 2026 Distinguished Researcher,” said Dr. Guttman. “It’s been a privilege to work with colleagues in the Department of English, and with students in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.”

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity that this award brings to share my new work, which investigates ideas about housing, community, and collective living in contemporary South Asian culture.”

Since joining Lakehead in 2012, Dr. Sam Salem, Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, has become a leading expert in structural fire engineering. He has built an influential research program, advancing the fire performance of innovative building systems, particularly those made of mass timber. A milestone in his career was securing the John R. Evans Leaders Fund award from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, which led to the creation of the Lakehead University Fire Testing and Research Laboratory – the only facility of its kind in Canada.

“I’m deeply honoured to receive this award,” Dr. Salem stated. "It’s a reflection of the incredible real-world impact of the research we conduct, and the success of the highly qualified people I have had the privilege to mentor, whose enhanced research skills and hands-on experiences are shaping the future of our discipline.”

“I’m grateful to the funding agencies and Lakehead University for their support. This recognition inspires me to continue pursuing impactful, real-world, integrity-driven research.”

The public lectures, panel discussions, and interactive workshops held during Research & Innovation Week covered a range of topics from artificial intelligence, health equity, business management, Indigenous-led land-based learning, solar panels, and more. 

“This week has shown that Lakehead is an economic engine for our community, translating academic excellence into real-world progress for the regions we serve,” said Dr. Roy.

This Alum Excels at Putting her Social Justice Degree to Work

"For me, public transportation is social justice in action because it meets a basic community need," Sandy Falcon says.

"Public transportation was the only way I could get to school when I was a kid growing up in a low-income neighbourhood in Toronto. Later, I used buses to commute to work, buy groceries, and take my kids to the doctor."

As a Lakehead undergraduate student, Sandy did a placement with Dress for Success, a non-profit that supports unemployed women trying to enter the workforce by providing business clothing and mentoring. Sandy also investigated the feasibility of starting a similar non-profit for unemployed men as part of a project with the MITACS research organization.

Today, Sandy is a graduate of Lakehead's Master of Social Justice Studies program and the Town of Collingwood's community transportation co-ordinator.

Her Lakehead degree gave her the tools to achieve her childhood dream of helping others.

A Transformative Social Justice Degree Comes to Orillia

Sandy went back to school as a mature student and a mother of four because she felt compelled to create positive change in her community.

After earning a Law Clerk diploma at Georgian College, she enrolled at Lakehead Orillia where she majored in criminology.

Sandy Falcon (BA'20/HBASc'20/MA'22) takes a moment to celebrate her graduation from Lakehead's Master of Social Justice Studies program in 2022.

In 2020, Sandy was getting ready to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree and an Honours Bachelor of Science degree when she heard some exciting news.

Lakehead was considering making its Master of Social Justice Studies program available on the Orillia campus.

"They decided to pilot an online version of the program with just five students," Sandy says.

"They asked me if I wanted to join. I said, 'Sign me up.'"

It's a decision she hasn't regretted.

"I had so many different opportunities while I was doing my social justice degree.

As part of my practicum stream, I was able to start Unknown Neighbours—a non-profit that gave vulnerable migrant workers in Canada access to legal, social, and health services," she says.

"All the social justice courses I took were amazing, the program in its entirety was amazing," Sandy adds.

"Every single professor I studied with was extremely knowledgeable and supportive."

Sandy ran the Unknown Neighbours non-profit from 2020 to 2023, using COVID pandemic funding to assist Mexican and Jamaican agricultural workers. "Dr. Douglas West, a wonderful Lakehead political science professor, helped me with the funding application and the administration of Unknown Neighbours."

Sandy also underwent life-changing personal and academic growth, especially when she learned about the theory of intersectionality. It's a concept that explains how aspects of an individual's identity—like their race, class, and gender—can lead them to be treated in discriminatory or privileged ways.

"Intersectionality made so much sense to me as a woman, as an immigrant, as a BIPOC person, and as a person with a disability," she says.

"I thought, 'Oh this is who I am, it all makes sense now.'"

Why a Bus is Much More than a Vehicle

After Sandy completed her Master of Social Justice Studies, she was hired by the Simcoe-Muskoka branch of the Red Cross.

"I wanted to work for them because they're the largest humanitarian organization in the world and I wanted to help everybody that I could."

She initially oversaw their Community Connector program for seniors before becoming the assistant manager of community health and wellness programs such as Meals on Wheels, Friendly Visiting, and transportation services.

In 2024, she launched the next phase of her career as the Town of Collingwood's community transportation co-ordinator.

"Public transportation is a lifeline that makes it possible for people to go about their everyday activities," Sandy says. Photo Credit: Town of Collingwood

This role offered a new way to provide essential services and make life more equitable for Collingwood residents.

Her first order of business was to become a passenger on every single bus route to discover how to make the city easier for everyone to navigate.

"I try to experience things firsthand. It strikes me as odd to design and make decisions about a service when you've never used it."

Sandy also ensures that buses remain accessible to people with visual, hearing, and mobility challenges.

She attributes much of the success she's had helping her fellow citizens to her social justice degree.

"Social justice will give you the knowledge and understanding to see the world through a completely different lens."

Are you interested in fostering social justice and laying the foundation for a meaningful career with non-profits, governments, or community partners? Then click here to learn more about Lakehead Orillia's Master of Social Justice Studies degree.

This Lakehead Instructor Helps Students Advocate for a Better World

"I love teaching because it enables me to transform learning into a creative, political, and collective experience," says Faculty of Education instructor Mohit Dudeja.

The PhD candidate, researcher, educator, activist and psychotherapist won a Lakehead University Teaching Innovation Award in November 2025.

Mohit accepts his Teaching Innovation Award from Provost and VP Academic Dr. Gillian Balfour and Lakehead President Dr. Gillian Siddall.

The award celebrates Mohit's broader teaching accomplishments in the Department of Graduate Studies and Research in Education, as well as his inventive approach to the Activism in Education graduate course.

"It felt really amazing to win because Activism in Education is one of the best courses I've developed and taught," says Mohit, who moved to Canada from Delhi, India, to continue his studies.

Shaking Things Up

Mohit's ability to connect with his students is at the core of his methods.

"Everything I do, including my research and my teaching, comes from my own lived experiences," he says.

"As a child—and even as an undergrad and postgrad student in India—studying was a burden because it was boring and full of pressure. So, when I got an opportunity to teach, I thought, 'I want to make it fun.'"

"I have been a fighter from an early age, and the battles I have lived through shape how I teach," Mohit Dudeja says.

In the Activism in Education course—where all students come from outside Canada—Mohit deliberately designed learning experiences that extended beyond lectures and traditional assessments.

He blended theoretical concepts with practical experience by integrating arts, outdoor experiential learning, multimedia, and imaginative activities.

The goal was to give students a creative platform to examine topics such as gender equality, racism, and discrimination in Canada.

As a culminating project, Mohit proposed an ambitious idea: a collaboratively written and performed theatrical production that would bring students' analyses to life.

"I invited the students to create a script for a dramatic performance. Every one of them agreed. They were really excited to embark on an unconventional learning adventure."

An Award-Winning Performance

Mohit's students chose to put on a play exploring how Canada's changing immigration policies are affecting the lives of international students.

Education professor Dr. Gerald Walton nominated Mohit for the Teaching Innovation Award after sitting in on a dress rehearsal.

Above, students perform the last scene of the Activism in Education play. Their compelling performances brought the audience to its feet. "Knowing that my teaching helped students feel represented, validated, and less alone is something I carry with me and remain proud of," Mohit says.

Dr. Walton was impressed by both the performances he saw and the solutions the play proposed—solutions that can be implemented in classrooms, schools, and communities.

The production was performed in Lakehead's Bora Laskin Auditorium on November 21, 2025.

"When the play ended, the room echoed with claps," Mohit says.

"Many of us, including me, were in tears. Students had just seen their struggles and unspoken truths reflected back at them.

International students who weren't enrolled in the course came up to me and said, 'Thank you for highlighting the harsh realities that we live every day.'"

An Impassioned Advocate

Mohit's commitment to activism extends to helping people battling mental health challenges.

It was an area he became interested in when he faced his own mental health challenges.
His experiences spurred him to join Lakehead groups and community projects and volunteer with Thunder Bay Counselling.

Since then, he's helped countless students.

He has also served as president of the Lakehead University Graduate Students' Association. In that role, he pushed for inclusive initiatives such as a queer graduate student circle and a peer support program, as well as a listening and sharing circle at the Student Health and Wellness Centre.

Mohit with his Activism in Education students.

"In the future, I see myself running a nonprofit and working for queer, BIPOC, and international student communities here in Canada and in India."

But Mohit has another, more immediate, dream.

"I come from a very humble background," he says. "I didn't have the resources to build something on my own. Becoming a tenure-track professor feels like the next step in continuing this work, and doing it sustainably."

This Conservationist and Freediver Documents Life in the Atlantic

"Lake Superior was definitely a big pull for me," says Teigan Labor of her decision to come to Lakehead University.

This recent grad (HBOR/BSc'24) is now the communications manager of the Nova Scotia chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-NS).

Above, Teigan canoeing in Norway during the semester she spent at Nord University. "Northern Norway was a fantastic place to go as someone studying outdoor recreation and natural sciences because of the stunning landscape and the culture of friluftsliv, which translates to 'open-air life.'"

Choosing the university surrounded by boreal forest and a vast lake proved to be a good move for Teigan, who grew up exploring the wild waters and shores of Nova Scotia.

She was also encouraged by a glowing endorsement from her dad, Peter Labor.

He graduated from Lakehead in 1989 with Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation and Bachelor of Science degrees, and went on to become the Government of Nova Scotia's director of protected areas and ecosystems.

"Growing up, my dad told me a lot of stories about Lakehead, especially his outdoor rec adventures—like joining the Mackenzie Expedition canoe trip across Canada," Teigan says.

"I saw how his time at Lakehead led him to an environmentally focused career and shaped him into someone I looked up to."

"I chose Lakehead for its community-oriented mindset—smaller classes, knowing your profs—and the opportunity to do a double degree in Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism and Natural Sciences," Teigan says. "This was unique from the other universities I was considering."

A Sailing Adventure and Studying Among Norway's Glaciers

Teigan packed a lot of living into her time at Lakehead.

She began a month-long stint as an environmental educator in 2022 after attending a campus presentation by Sea Change Expeditions, an educational organization.

This entailed living aboard a 40-foot sailboat on Lake Superior and sailing to schools around the lake. She talked to kids about issues affecting the lake, like climate change, microplastics, and invasive species.

While sailing around Lake Superior in 2022, Teigan recorded water-clarity data as well as spoke to schoolchildren. "The schools we stopped at included Knife River and others on the North shore," she says. "We also stopped in Houghton, Michigan and Washburn, Wisconsin."

In her final year at Lakehead, she spent a semester at Nord University in Bodø, Norway, as part of Lakehead's North2North exchange program. "It was really eye opening, and one of the best decisions I made as a student," she says.

"I got to climb a glacier and learn how glaciers are being impacted by global warming—while standing RIGHT THERE in person."

The Pull of the Magnificent Atlantic Ocean

As an undergrad, Teigan worked as a summer student with CPAWS-NS, which works to conserve Canada's natural ecosystems.

She springboarded into a full-time role as CPAWS communications manager (she also does videography work for the organization) right after graduating from Lakehead.

Teigan during a conservation freedive among eelgrass. "Eelgrass meadows provide shelter and nursery habitats for juvenile fish, and other marine species," she says. "They also store and sequester carbon, reduce coastal erosion, and much more." Photo Credit: CPAWS-NS/Teigan Labor

Her path to this position was helped by her activities both in and out of class.

She was the Lakehead Outdoor Recreation Parks & Tourism Student Society information coordinator and a videographer of outdoor rec-related content used in Lakehead's digital recruitment campaigns.

"Outdoor rec is just such an incredible program because you get a lot of different perspectives, including a really strong Indigenous-led perspective," she notes.

"I got a strong grasp of the leadership and group dynamics side of outdoor rec, such as guiding people in the outdoors, and learning how to assess risk and liability for participants."

Another bonus was earning certifications for diverse skills as part of her coursework.

On a Mission to Conserve Nova Scotia's Unique Marine Life

Today, Teigan has a career that gives her a sense of meaning and purpose.

"There are islands all up and down the coast of Nova Scotia, so one of the coolest projects I've been working on lately is a documentary about those islands and their remarkable biodiversity," she says.

Part of her efforts include conservation freediving, which allows her to document marine environments with underwater photos and videos.

Teigan on a CPAWS conservation freedive at Sandy Cove, Terence Bay, in Nova Scotia. "We don't use the snorkel that much because we spend most of our time diving deeper than the surface!" Photo Credit: CPAWS-NS/Teigan Labor

"Conservation freediving looks a lot like spearfishing, but we replace the spear with a camera and strap a slate to our arms so that we can take down observations." Unlike scuba diving, freedivers don't use oxygen tanks.

Her department focuses on science communication to bring the public and communities into conversations. The goal is to inspire people to care about conservation and to talk to their policymakers about protecting the environment.

"I believe as humans we have a responsibility to take care of nature," Teigan says.

"I grew up canoeing, hiking, and playing in Nova Scotia's parks, protected areas, and coastlines. I want future generations to have the same opportunity."

The Research and Innovation Bulletin is distributed weekly every Tuesday by the Office of Research Services and includes information on research funding opportunities, events and workshops and updates from our funding partners.

Check out the latest version of our Bulletin, by clicking here.

The community is invited to learn from the next generation of scholars at this year's Graduate Student Conference, the Rita Nicholas Undergraduate Research Conference, and the 2nd Annual Business Research Showcase. These presentations celebrate emerging researchers at Lakehead University and give students the opportunity to share their research with peers and the public. The conferences take place on Monday, Feb. 23 and Wednesday, Feb. 25 in The Agora.

Thunder Bay, Ont. - Lakehead University is hosting its annual Research & Innovation Week from February 21 to 27, celebrating 60 years of faculty and student-led research with the theme of “Shaping the EvoLUtion: Our Next-Gen Transformative Research”.

There are various talks and activities happening throughout the week that will be of interest for all ages.

“We want people to see and experience how Lakehead University is making an impact in their community,” explained Dr. Langis Roy, Vice-President Research and Innovation. “Every project, experiment, and study completed by our students and faculty leads to a real-world impact–locally or globally.”

This year holds special significance for Dr. Roy. “I’m thrilled to participate in my first Research & Innovation Week to show our community how people here at Lakehead are solving important societal challenges by bridging our traditional areas of research with future-focused technologies like AI. It’s an honour to highlight the vital work of our faculty, students, and partners.”

It all starts on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Intercity Shopping Centre. In partnership with Science North, Lakehead presents Science Carnival where families can explore the exciting world of research, including science, technology, engineering, health, and social sciences, through hands-on activities, interactive booths, and live entertainment. The fun runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Then, on Monday, Feb. 23 at 12 p.m., Lakehead welcomes Dr. Atif Shamim, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and tech entrepreneur at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, for the keynote talk, “Printing the Future.” Dr. Shamim’s presentation will explore not only how eco-friendly advances in printable electronics are changing the way we design and use technology in everyday life, but also how this field could be transformative for Thunder Bay’s regional economic development. Registration is required for this talk.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m., Dr. Pauline Sameshima, Faculty of Education, will host a guided tour of Lakehead’s new juried and featured art in the Centre of Advanced Studies in Engineering and Sciences (CASES). Select artists will be present to discuss how the arts can engage, provoke, and share research. The public is also invited to view other exhibition gallery spaces in Lakehead International and the Bora Laskin Education Building.

You’ll be able to learn from the next generation of scholars at the Graduate Student Conference on Monday, Feb. 23, and the Rita Nicholas Undergraduate Research Conference and 2nd Annual Business Research Showcase on Wednesday, Feb. 25 in the Agora.

On Thursday, Feb. 26 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the CASES Atrium, distinguished researcher and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction, Dr. Chris Mushquash, will lead a discussion on how Indigenous community-based research in mental health and addiction can support improvements to systems and services. To attend virtually, please register.

The week will close on Friday, Feb. 27 with a CityStudio guided tour of the Centennial Botanical Conservancy from 1 to 3 p.m. A collaborative partnership with the City of Thunder Bay supported the renewal of the shared civic space.

Everyone is invited to campus for these and many other engaging presentations, inspiring speakers, and interactive workshops. For a full list of events, visit www.lakeheadu.ca/ri.

As a child, Dr. Juho-Antti Junno devoured encyclopedias, gravitating toward stories of exploration, history and especially human evolution. 

“An early memory I have is of visiting the local library and asking the staff to show me books about expeditions and voyages” he recalls.

Now an associate professor at the University of Oulu in Finland, Dr. Junno’s work sits at the crossroads of bioarchaeology, anatomy, forensic medicine, and primatology.

He is also the recently appointed Chair in Finnish Studies at Lakehead’s Thunder Bay campus.

Investigating the Mysterious Assassination of a King

His research philosophy is guided less by rigid plans than by curiosity. 

“I get excited about new research ideas quite easily,” Dr. Junno says. “So, if someone is suggesting, ‘Hey, we should do this.’ Or “can you help with this project” I’m like, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’”

This openness has allowed Dr. Junno’s work to cross disciplinary boundaries and uncover unexpected connections.

His recent foray into forensic pathology—a combination of archaeological and biological anthropology studies combined with experimental forensic medicine—was sparked by a conversation with a medical student and frequent research collaborator.

“I come from generations of farmers and hunters, so I’m quite familiar with ballistics, but I’d never utilized this background in academia,” he explains.

One of their most recent collaborations was an experimental study on the political assassination of King Charles XII of Sweden during the Siege of Fredriksten in 1718.

Using a synthetic skull phantom, a 19.5 mm musket ball, 10 gauge shotgun, a replica of an old cannon and some modern day radiological imaging, the team recreated the head injuries suffered by the king to determine if he’d been killed by enemy fire or his own men.

Bridging Science and Storytelling

Since his early 20s, Dr. Junno has travelled the world—from Arnhem Land, Northern Territory in Australia to Zimbabwe—writing and connecting with people about his two favourite subjects: hunting and farming.

In fact, his writing can be found in major Finnish magazines such as Käytännön Maamies and Metsästys & Kalastus.

“The easiest way to learn about a topic is to do research, in this case not academic research, but by speaking to people, and let them share their knowledge” he says.

“In a couple of hours you will know almost everything about a specific topic especially if you’re talking to farmers who’re always eager to discuss their work and are proud of what they do.”

From Finland to Thunder Bay

Dr. Junno brings that same perspective to Thunder Bay and his role as the 13th Chair in Finnish Studies at Lakehead.

Like most Finns, he has ties with the Finnish-Canadian community. The farmhouse where he’s currently living was built in the late 19th century by a Finnish man who had worked in copper mines in the Great Lakes region, and several of Dr. Junno’s neighbours have emigrated to Canada and visit their former homeland in the summertime.

His interest in Finnish heritage and rural culture drew Dr. Junno to this region, where he plans to study agricultural history, hunting traditions, and the ways Finnish settlers reshaped the landscape.

“I’m interested to visit old Finnish homesteads, areas that Finnish farmers transformed from forest to agricultural land, and talk to people who still remember those early times or at least stories of them,” he explains. “For example, I would like to gain understanding how Finnish hunting traditions were affected when they came to Thunder Bay—did they maintain what they were doing back home or did they adapt to Canadian hunting culture?”

The Chair in Finnish Studies conducts research, develops partnerships, and lectures at the undergraduate level. The chair also gives public lectures and presentations and undertakes research contributing to the intellectual life of Lakehead University and the Finnish community in northwestern Ontario. 

Dr. Junno will hold the endowed chairship until May 2026.