This Lakehead Student is Already Skilled in International Diplomacy

Environmental sustainability student Mateo Velasco Alva isn't standing on the sidelines when it comes to protecting the planet.

He's been involved with the youth branch of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) since he was a teen and has participated in Model United Nations conferences since middle school.

Mateo is beginning his fourth year in Lakehead's Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science program in Environmental Sustainability. "I'm from Mexico City where there isn't a lot of nature, so when I got to Canada I decided to do a truly Canadian outdoors activity," he says. "I did tree planting for two summers in northern Ontario."

These experiences have instilled in Mateo a determination to become a diplomat and to use his advocacy skills to help overcome the climate crisis.

"Seeing the ravages caused by extreme weather has been mind boggling," he says. "The saddest part is that the poorest countries are the most vulnerable.

We need to work together so that all people can thrive. We also need to acknowledge that humans aren't the only living creatures we share our world with."

Students Gather at the United Nations

Mateo recently had the chance to practice statesmanship at the very highest level through the Global Model United Nationsers (GlobalMUNers).

"I co-organized the 2026 GlobalMUNers New York City (GMNYC2026) summit held at the UN's ECOSOC Building."

Global MUNers is a non-profit organization that arranges student debates around the world to engage young people in civil society and to give them the tools to create real change.

Mateo was given this challenge after being chosen as the GMNYC2026 President of the UNEA Committee.

He and Vice-President Inés Belkhodja spent months planning the conference before welcoming over 2,000 student delegates to the headquarters of the United Nations.

"They came from middle schools, high schools, and universities from across the globe, including North Africa, Europe, North America, and the Caribbean," he says.

One of the highlights of Mateo's UN trip was a visit to the headquarters of the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations. "We had a discussion with Germany's official representative and got to experience what a real diplomat does. It was great!" Above, Mateo with GMNYC2026 Vice-President Inés Belkhodja.

The summit's opening ceremony was held at the UN General Assembly.

"I never imagined that I would be at the United Nations headquarters, so it felt like a mission accomplished," Mateo says.

Keynote speeches were delivered by two of Mateo's heroes—UN Secretary-General António Guterres and GlobalMUNers Director-General Pilar Sandoval.

But this was just the start of a whirlwind week.

The student delegates participated in two working sessions per day. These sessions focused on GMNYC2026's selected debate topics: plastic pollution and climate change.

"I moderated the debates and the vice-president took notes and answered questions," he says.

Preparing for the Unthinkable

The GMNYC2026 organizers also gave students the opportunity to address an impending real-world crisis—Greenland's melting ice sheets.

"The disappearing ice sheets are leading to rising sea levels," Mateo says, "and since 60 per cent of the world's population lives in coastal regions, it will become a massive humanitarian crisis.

When we introduced the crisis, the delegates were very shocked to learn about it," he adds.

Above, Mateo with fellow students who helped run GMNYC2026. "I got to make new friends and new international connections," he says. "The best part of it is that I'll be going to another GlobalMUNers session in the Dominican Republic this September."

Students were asked to debate solutions and to draft an international non-binding agreement outlining these solutions.

"The UNEA doesn't have the power to compel governments to adhere to their conventions, so all UNEA agreements are non-binding," Mateo explains. "Countries have to want to adopt them." 

Last year, Mateo further enhanced his foreign affairs skills as an intern with the Organization of the American States (OAS) in Washington, DC. Above, Mateo in the UN General Assembly Hall.

This made the students' job even more challenging. When it came time to ratify the agreement, delegates had to vote along the lines that their countries vote at actual UN summits, forcing them to get creative.

"They knew the United States and Russia would be unlikely to accept an environmental agreement, so it was presented to them as a military crisis," Mateo says. "Both countries have strategically important military bases in Greenland and melting ice will affect their operation."

Solutions outlined in the agreement ranged from land reclamation projects to the establishment of atmospheric weather stations that would provide data needed to develop mitigation plans.

Mateo's leadership role with the GlobalMUNers has strengthened his decision to follow a diplomatic career path.

"Seeing all those young people gave me hope and the belief that younger generations can solve the problems created by older generations."

Lakehead University is launching a new $2-million fundraising goal to expand the reach and impact of its Achievement Program, with a significant commitment from the Alumni Association of Lakehead University helping kick-start the campaign.

The campaign builds on more than $1 million raised over the past five years and will support the program's continued growth across Northwestern Ontario and future expansion into Simcoe County. The Alumni Association is building early momentum with a $64,517 commitment. 

"As Lakehead alumni, we know firsthand how education can change the direction of someone's life," said Alumni Association President Paul Popo-Ola. "We want young people to know that Lakehead can be a place for them, too. Supporting the Achievement Program is an investment in those students and in the communities they will one day help lead and strengthen."

The Achievement Program provides long-term support for equity-deserving youth who face barriers to postsecondary education. Beginning in Grade 4 and continuing through Grade 12, students participate in programming in their schools, on Lakehead's campus, and in the community, building confidence, developing skills, and becoming familiar with the opportunities available through postsecondary education.  

“The Achievement Program reflects what we believe deeply at Lakehead University: that education should be within reach for every young person,” said Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor. “By building relationships with students from an early age, we can help them discover what is possible, build confidence, and help them see themselves as belonging at university. We want to create those opportunities for even more young people.” 

In 2025-26, the program reached 500 students from 45 schools across six school boards in Northwestern Ontario. Eight Achievement Program graduates have attended Lakehead University since 2020. Three more participants are expected to begin their studies at Lakehead this September.

Through the Achievement Program, young people engage in recreational programming, hands-on learning, mentorship, cultural programming, leadership development, and opportunities to experience university life. 

“One of the strengths of the Achievement Program is that we start building those connections early through sport and recreation, and stay with students throughout their journey," said Amanda Stefanile, Achievement Program Manager. "For many of our students, their first experience at Lakehead happens in athletics, years before they are thinking about applying to university. They get to explore the campus, meet new friends, and discover what they're capable of. Our hope is that over time, our campus becomes a very familiar space where they can picture themselves going to school."

Friday's celebration allowed donors to engage directly with students taking part in the Achievement Program's summer camp, seeing the impact of their support firsthand. As the program enters its next stage, Lakehead's goal is not simply to reach more students, but to continue building relationships with young people and their families over time and provide meaningful pathways into postsecondary education.

“When we talk about raising the next $2 million, we’re really talking about what those dollars will make possible for the next generation of students,” said Michael den Haan, Vice-President, University Advancement. “Every gift to the Achievement Program helps create opportunities for young people to discover what is possible for their future and to know there is a community behind them as they pursue it.”

“Reaching this first milestone was possible because people believed in this program and decided to give. We are incredibly grateful for that support, and we’re excited to build on that generosity as we begin this next chapter.”

(Barrie, ON) – Today, the City of Barrie and Lakehead University celebrated the completion of the Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub in the heart of downtown Barrie’s vibrant waterfront. Bringing a university presence to the city represents a transformative investment in talent, education, and economic growth in Barrie.

The Barrie STEM Hub is a multi-site facility with two locations: 24 Maple Avenue (the former Barrie Transit Terminal) and 5 Ross Street. These facilities have been transformed into more than 26,000 square feet of lab and classroom space, offering vibrant spaces designed to deliver hands-on education in engineering, mechatronics, and computer science at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The dual-location model will support both student experience and business collaboration. 

As enrolment grows over time, the STEM Hub is expected to bring upwards of 800 students, researchers, and employees into the downtown over the next several years. The STEM Hub will enable students to learn locally for in-demand careers, supply industry with skilled talent, and generate economic benefits for the city with more demand for goods, services, dining, and entertainment.

With small class sizes, mentorship opportunities, and strong connections to local industry, the STEM Hub will empower students to explore, innovate, and launch successful careers in STEM fields.

Lakehead University will welcome the inaugural Barrie STEM Hub class on September 8, 2026. 

For more information about the Barrie STEM Hub, visit barrie.ca/STEMHub or lakeheadu.ca/barrie.

QUOTES 

“Today is truly a game-changer for our city. The opening of the Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub is a major investment in our future and an important step in advancing Barrie’s emerging education district. With hundreds of students now studying downtown, we are bringing more people, more activity and more opportunity to the heart of our city. I look forward to seeing the incredible impact the Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub will have on our community.”

-    Alex Nuttall, Mayor of the City of Barrie

“With the opening of the Barrie STEM Hub, we’re establishing the first university campus in Barrie–a history-making moment for the City of Barrie and for Lakehead University. At its heart, the STEM Hub is about creating opportunities for students. It’s about building stronger connections between education and industry and ensuring that talented young people have the opportunity to learn, stay, build careers and contribute to the communities around them. An immeasurable amount of work has gone into preparing the Barrie STEM Hub to welcome our first cohort of students in just a few weeks, and today, we’re incredibly proud to officially open the doors to this exciting new chapter.”    

-    Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University

Jumpstart Charities Breaks Down Barriers for Lakehead’s Achievement Program

The Achievement Program has received $47,000 in total gift contributions from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. This critical support is directly removing financial and physical barriers for youth across Northern Ontario–outfitting elementary students with new athletic footwear and funding essential summer camp experiences both on campus and in regional communities.

The Achievement Program addresses a deep, systemic need in Northern Ontario by combining mentorship, physical activity, academic exposure, and financial support. For many youth, physical activity is the first gateway to feeling confident on a university campus. By providing appropriate footwear, this allows students to participate in active learning and sport throughout the school year.

Stepping Forward Without Barriers

To solve this challenge, Jumpstart provided a $27,000 gift in November 2025 specifically designated to purchase brand-new running shoes for all 350 elementary-aged Achievement Program students. With the help of corporate family support from Sportchek, and working closely with superintendents and principals across six partner school boards, Amanda Stefanile, Achievement Program Manager, and Morgan Hill, Achievement Program Liaison Officer, were able to coordinate sizing, tracking and distribution of the shoes to students at their schools.

Shawnda Norlock, Superintendent of Education, Keewatin-Patricia District School Board explains, “Having proper footwear is essential for active learning. For many of our Achievement Program students, new, properly fitting shoes will directly remove a barrier to participation, supporting their physical wellness and overall equity within the school environment.”

The impact was felt immediately by families and children across the region:

“Chi-miigwetch for investing in our youth and for the care and compassion you show families in our community. Your support is felt and deeply appreciated.” - Achievement Program Parent

“Thank you Jumpstart for the opportunity of getting and being a part of getting new shoes. YAY!” - Jaxxon, Achievement Program Student

“My child is hard on his shoes and is growing quickly, this is one less thing to worry about!” - Achievement Program Parent

Fueling Summer Camps and Regional Reach

Building on this momentum, Jumpstart contributed an additional $20,000 gift in April 2026 to directly fund summer camp programming. Summer programming plays a central role in keeping students engaged year-round:

• Thunder Bay On-Campus Camps: Two one-week camps for students in grades 5–8 feature swimming, multi-sport activities (soccer, basketball, dodgeball, badminton), campus visits, and most importantly, healthy snacks and nutritious meals.
• Family Fun Day: Every summer camp wraps up with a family celebration on campus where students can participate in various activities and crafts together, also offering refreshments and free transportation so parents and caregivers feel welcomed into the Lakehead community.
• High School Leadership Series: A three-day workshop series focusing on recreational activities paired with leadership building, communication, career planning, and post-secondary pathway exploration.
• Expanded Regional Outreach: A dedicated two-day program hosted in Dryden designed specifically to support youth from Dryden, Kenora, and Sioux Lookout in partnership with local schools.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart funds cover essential operational costs, including meals, staffing, and free transportation for participants.

A Track Record of Lasting Community Impact

The Achievement Program primarily serves Indigenous (approximately 70%) and equity-deserving youth from Northwestern Ontario who face geographic challenges, financial pressures, and limited opportunities for recreational activities. Enrolled starting in grade 4, students remain in the program through grade 12, accruing financial support toward their university education by fulfilling annual school, community, and campus requirements.

Impact at a Glance

Current Reach: 500 youth across 47 schools and six school boards (expanding to 600 participants by 2026/27).

High School Graduation Rate: 95% of Achievement Program participants have graduated from high school since 2011 compared with a 2023 regional graduation rate of 63% for First Nations youth and 91% for non-Indigenous youth.

Post-Secondary Pathways: 65% of Achievement Program graduates are pursuing post-secondary education at Lakehead University or other colleges and universities, and the remaining 35% are employed or seeking other opportunities.

Cycle of Leadership: approximately 50% of enrolled/graduated students are employed as staff within the Achievement Program, giving back to the next generation.

By graduation, participants can earn up to their entire first year of tuition at Lakehead University. In 2025, the program celebrated its first two university graduates. Through sustained donor support from partners like Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, Lakehead continues to prove that with the right access, equipment, and encouragement, the path to higher education is achievable for every student.

On Friday, Aug. 21, Achievement Program participants, donors, and community supporters will come together to celebrate the impact of the program and the opportunities it creates for youth. Through hands-on activities, personal stories, and shared experiences, guests will see firsthand how the program is helping participants build confidence, develop new skills, and envision a brighter future. The celebration will also mark an exciting new chapter for the Achievement Program, including a major gift announcement and the launch of a renewed fundraising effort to sustain and expand its impact for years to come.

We are deeply grateful to the donors who have helped make the Achievement Program’s impact possible. As the program grows, so does the need for its support. With continued and additional investment, we can provide essential opportunities and supports to students and their families throughout the school year and summer- helping them stay connected, active, engaged, and inspired year-round.

If you would like to give in support of the Achievement Program, you can visit: https://ec.lakeheadu.ca/giving/fund-project

PhD Candidate Omotunde Adeniran is Developing an Ingenious Solution

"Cities revolve around transportation," says civil engineering PhD candidate Omotunde Adeniran.

For the past few years, Omotunde—under his supervisors Dr. Juan Pernia and Dr. Sam Salem—has been applying his engineering skills to make traffic roundabouts safer for all community members.

It's become a pressing issue as roundabouts become more common in North America.

"Municipalities are embracing them because they ease traffic congestion and reduce severe vehicular collisions," Omotunde says.

They're also cheaper than traffic lights over the long term since they don't require as much electricity or infrastructure maintenance.

Coming Full Circle

Surprisingly, Omotunde wanted to avoid a civil engineering career when he was younger.

He grew up in Nigeria where his elder brother and several family members were civil engineers.
Wanting to do something different, Omotunde studied engineering physics before deciding that he wanted to be a pilot. This led him to a logistics and technical support job with a British Columbia-based helicopter company with a subsidiary in Nigeria.

Omotunde learned to fly small single-engine planes and earned a Private Pilot Licence. While working at the Lakeside meat-packing plant in Brooks, Alberta, he liked to go flying with a friend who owned a Cessna plane. At the plant, Omotunde was responsible for food inspection and quality control. Then, for three-and-half years, he was on the crew that cleaned the plant. "I took college and university courses from about 9 am to 4 pm and then worked from 4 pm to midnight and, later, the graveyard shift, so that I could upgrade my education," he says.

He eventually moved to Canada and went back to school after spending several years working in demanding jobs, including one at a meat-packing plant in Brooks, Alberta.

"While taking general engineering courses at the University of Calgary, I realized that civil engineering came naturally to me and that I wanted to do something practical," he says.

He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at Lakehead and is now in finishing his PhD studies.

City Streets Should Be Safe for Everyone

Despite the many advantages of roundabouts, they sometimes present challenges for people with vision loss.

In Ontario, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians at designated roundabout crosswalks. Some roundabouts also have rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB), which pedestrians can activate by pressing a button to signal to drivers that they want to cross.

Even so, a small percentage of drivers don't stop for pedestrians.

"This can be dangerous for kids, the elderly, and people with vision loss," Omotunde says. "If cars don't stop, pedestrians have to wait for another opportunity to cross."

Omotunde’s sensor-based system uses a signal from a camera to alert pedestrians to oncoming vehicles via a loudspeaker. “When activated, the system says: ‘Gap detected, use caution’ or ‘Vehicle approaching,’” he explains. “As an engineer, you always want the simplest option.” Photo Credit: City of Thunder Bay

Even when additional safety measures have been incorporated into roundabouts—such as tactile walking surface indicators and pedestrian refuge islands—people are still vulnerable.

"None of these measures indicate if drivers are yielding to pedestrians or give them a real-time assessment of how long they have to cross a roundabout road," Omotunde says.

Omotunde started a community newsletter called The Integrand News: Keeping You in the equation! while living in Brooks, Alberta. “I wanted both the non-immigrant and the immigrant communities to see all the good things that were happening in Brooks,” he says. He also joined charitable and service organizations, including Rotary International, where he met educator Dr. Lyle Hamm who encouraged him to go back to university.

Concern about this situation prompted the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) to reach out to Dr. Pernia.

"They wanted to know if it was possible to launch a nation-wide study investigating how to make roundabouts safer for people with vision loss," Omotunde says.

"We decided to begin the study at Thunder Bay's Edward Street and Redwood Avenue roundabout because the City of Thunder Bay was willing to support our research."

Omotunde's master's research focused on testing rumble strips that vibrated and made a 'tak tak' sound as cars drove over them, alerting pedestrians to their presence.

Although somewhat successful, this mechanical model had some flaws—including not being sufficiently audible if cars were rolling or travelling at extremely low speeds—that made it unable to completely resolve the concerns of people with vision loss.

A Rising Star in Transportation Safety

For his PhD research, Omotunde switched his attention to developing a sensor-based system that uses computer vision to detect approaching vehicles.

He's now built an impressive prototype that merges AI, coordinate mapping, and Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) to process camera images taken at roundabouts.

Omotunde won first place in the 2026 Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals (CARSP) Student Paper Competition for his paper, "Field Testing of an Infrastructure-Mounted Sensor-Based Accessibility System for Unsignalized Roundabouts." Professionals from multiple countries who attended the CARSP conference were eager to learn more about Omotunde's concept. "I'm happy to be an ambassador for Lakehead and thankful for the support of my PhD thesis supervisors," he says.

Once triggered, Omotunde's system estimates vehicle time-to-arrival at a roundabout, computes estimated pedestrian crossing time, and uses a loudspeaker to let pedestrians know when there is a gap in traffic.

He's already conducted technical and field testing of the system and will be running a trial with CNIB volunteers at the Thunder Bay roundabout this summer.

"My work has broad applications," he says. "It could potentially help people with mobility issues and people distracted by their cellphones, as well as people with vision loss."

"We can't change the behaviour of drivers," Omotunde adds, "but we can give pedestrians more information to keep them safer."

Thank you to the City of Thunder Bay and Pioneer Construction for providing equipment, staff assistance, and access to the Edward Street/Redwood Avenue roundabout and its infrastructure.

Omotunde also thanks the multiple volunteers who helped make this research possible, including the CNIB, as well as Oasis Family Dental and Janzen Pharmacy who kindly provided access to their power outlets.

This research project directly aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) #9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, #10: Reduced Inequalities, and #11: Sustainable Cities + Communities.

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 myAwards Portal is open from August 15 to October 15 for undergraduate students. This year, Student Awards and Financial Aid is running a contest to "win free textbooks for a semester" (value is $500). Two prizes are up for grabs - one for Orillia and Barrie and one for Thunder Bay!

https://lakeheadu.academicworks.ca/

Ghana Forestry Professionals Wowed by Hands-On Learning Experiences

"The summer has been a whirlwind," says Dr. Mathew Leitch, a professor of wood sciences at the Faculty of Natural Resources Management.

Throughout June, he hosted and trained forestry professionals from Ghana committed to making their forest industry more sustainable and profitable. 

"We get thousands of products from trees including mass timber products, phenols, formaldehyde, flocculants, and cellulose fibres that are so strong they're used to create bullet-proof flak jackets," Dr. Leitch says. Above, participants visit the Hurkett Biohub facility with Scott Rubin and his team at Lake Nipigon Forest Management to look at the facility's biochar location, merchandising yard, and other wood value-adding initiatives.

It took over a year to organize the month-long "Workshop in Wood Science and Forest Products," which was hosted on Lakehead University and Confederation College's Thunder Bay campuses.

The session was the first of three customized training workshops that are part of Lakehead's five-year "Best Practices in Sustainable Natural Resources Management" project.

Dr. Leitch received a Global Affairs Canada grant worth nearly $570,000—through the Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 (BCDI 2030) program—to run the project.

It includes funding for the workshops and visiting researchers as well as scholarships for master's degree students.

Forging Bridges Across Continents

BCDI scholarships—which are open to small island developing states and 26 Francophonie and Commonwealth countries—harness the power of education to strengthen economic and social development.

Dr. Leitch's BCDI 2030 grant will enable him to continue training Ghanaian forestry professionals at Lakehead. In 2027, he will host a remote sensing and geomatic workshop and, in 2028, he will host an ecological studies workshop. The workshops are part of a customized training approach to address skill development needs identified by the Government of Ghana. Above, the BCDI participants celebrate completing the workshops.

"Many women in Ghana live in extreme poverty, so one of the goals of my program is to bring more women into the workforce so that they're economically independent," Dr. Leitch explains.

Over the course of Lakehead's project, an estimated 35 professionals and students will receive advanced training in natural resources management.

The resulting network of professionals within Ghana will share their knowledge and skills with their students and colleagues.

A Land of Colossal Trees, Elephants, and Cocoa Plantations

Ghana is a West African country known for its diverse ecosystems.

The southern region—where Dr. Leitch has forged many longstanding partnerships—has tropical rainforests with more than 200 species of hardwood trees.

"The main trees harvested for commercial purposes are African mahogany, iroko, sapele, utile, and teak," he says. "Ghana's trees grow impressively fast," he adds. "In 40 years, African mahogany grows to 4-8 feet in diameter."

Above, a participant practices using a portable mill at Dr. Leitch's campus facility. "Everyone learned how to run the mill and cut wood because these types of mills are readily available in Ghana," Dr. Leitch says. The BCDI grant funded the participants' costs of attending the workshops.

Ghanaians use their forests primarily as sources of lumber, plywood, and charcoal.

"Ghana is the second biggest charcoal producer in the world," says Dr. Leitch, who shared strategies for more efficiently producing charcoal with the visiting professionals and students.

From Tree Farms to Sawmills and Everything in Between

The workshop participants arrived at Lakehead for training in remote sensing, geomatics, wood science, property mapping, and ecological monitoring.

Wood science is a multifaceted discipline that studies the properties of wood species and how they can be used. Above, one of the participants prepares a sample in Dr. Leitch's Wood Science Testing Laboratory.

Dr. Leitch welcomed faculty, staff, and PhD students from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the University for Development Studies, the University of Energy and Natural Resources, and CSIR-College of Science and Technology.

There were also scientists and staff from the CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana and Lakehead University Master of Science in Forestry students.

"We looked at everything from high-value forest products like engineered wood used in housing construction to low-value products like wood pellets used for heating and barbecues," Dr. Leitch says.

Northwestern Ontario is a Forestry Innovator

All the workshop participants found their time at Lakehead to be worth the long journey.

"They wanted to learn everything they could about our approaches to forest management," Dr. Leitch says.

The participants enjoyed field visits to tree farms, biomass facilities, sawmills, and pulp and paper mills. Another highlight was seeing Lakehead's state-of-the-art research facilities and testing equipment in action.

A tour of Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper, led by Fibre and Logistics Manager Mike Furniss, provided insight into how wood is processed into pulp, energy production from boilers, waste use, and the production of value-added chemicals. Dr. Mat Leitch is pictured on the far right.

"We showed them how we use silviculture to grow, manage, and manipulate the properties of trees and bring products to market," he says.

"I could see their wheels spinning. Even before the workshops were over, they were writing up draft plans to implement when they got back home."

Dr. Leitch greatly enjoyed his time at the workshops, too.

"Ghanaians are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. The participants were so gracious and appreciative that they were selected for this prestigious program.

They are eager for anything that will help them move forward as a country."

Lakehead gratefully acknowledges the nearly $570,000 Global Affairs Canada grant that made The Best Practices in Sustainable Natural Resources Management (BPSNRM) project possible.

Thank you to Confederation College and the following government and industry partners in Ghana, including: the Forestry Commission of Ghana, The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research — Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (CSIR-FORIG), Samartex Timber and Plywood Company, and the Charcoal Chamber of Commerce.

Lakehead would also like to thank the following partner higher education institutions: CSIR College of Science and Technology (CCST), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University of Cape Coast (UCC), the University of Development Studies (UDS), the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), and the University of Ghana-Legon.

A Lakehead Barrie STEM Hub researcher, in partnership with the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), is transforming how Simcoe County detects and responds to environmental health threats, starting with airborne allergens.

Dr. Thiago E. Alves de Oliveira, associate professor of computer science and assistant dean of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies, has been awarded $248,750 from the New Frontiers in Research Fund’s (NFRF) Exploration stream to create a real-time, autonomous allergen-detection system using machine learning.

A High-Tech Approach to Tracking Airborne Allergens

Dr. de Oliveira— along with Geography and Environmental Sustainability Professor Dr. Florin Pendea and Psychology Professor Dr. Sila Demir— will work closely with Barrie’s RVH to develop an AI-driven sensing network that can instantly and precisely detect, count, and classify pollen particles and determine their allergenic potential.

“Our network has the capacity to enhance quality of life, support public health responses, and strengthen community resilience against environmental and biological risks,” says Dr. de Oliveira.

Collection tapes will capture airborne pollen particles, often invisible to regular microscopes, which will be automatically analyzed by ‘super-resolution’ robotic microscopes.

The platform will also track environmental data including air pressure, temperature, humidity, and particulate matter.

“This will provide a complete, real-time picture of what types of pollen are in the air we breathe,” explains Dr. de Oliveira.

Putting Real-Time Data into Allergy Sufferers’ Hands

Getting information to people will be the most important part.

The interdisciplinary research team will develop an AI-driven app to take the “raw data” and translate it into clear, actionable messages for users.

Users can log their allergy symptoms and will receive personalized health alerts when allergen exposure is high.

This will help them make informed decisions about their health and stop an allergy attack before it happens.

As a partner on the project, RVH is eager to see this next-gen health innovation deliver tangible benefits for the region.

“Environmental conditions can have a real impact on health, particularly for people living with allergies, asthma, respiratory disease, or other chronic conditions,” says Dr. Jesse McLean, RVH director, research and innovation and grant co-applicant.

“This exciting project will help us explore how real-time data can support better day-to-day decisions for individuals, while helping healthcare providers in our region anticipate and respond to emerging community health needs.”

While the project’s initial focus is on allergy management, the network will provide a foundation to monitor a wide range of environmental health risks, including airborne pathogens and harmful pollutants.

“By combining computer science, environmental science, healthcare, and psychology in ways that have not been tried before, this cross-disciplinary project will help individuals better manage their health through technology,” says Dr. Langis Roy, Lakehead vice-president, research and innovation.

“This is exactly the ‘out of the box’ thinking the NFRF program is designed for and that will help Lakehead develop game-changing solutions for health and well-being across the regions we serve.”