News & Stories

Feb 24	Renowned researcher discussing the plague during Lakehead University’s R and I Week (Thunder Bay) , (Orillia) Dr. Hendrik Poinar will give an engaging talk examining causes of the plague, during Lakehead University’s Research and Innovation Week to be held from March 1-7. This free presentation is part of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies Speaker Series. Dr. Poinar, a Canada Research Chair in Paleogenetics at McMaster University, will discuss the implications of his research into the plague in the context of understanding the evolution of virulence and the co-evolution of its ‘accidental’ hosts: humans.
Feb 12	Lakehead University to host Math Competition (Thunder Bay) Lakehead's Department of Mathematical Sciences is privileged to be a regional host for the Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest for the second year in a row. The contest will be held in Thunder Bay on Sunday, March 23 in the University’s Ryan Building, between 12 and 3 pm. “The Kangaroo Contest provides students with challenging questions beyond the regular curriculum that will spark their interest in mathematics. Participating in math contests boosts their confidence and gives them the opportunity to interact with like-minded peers,” said Dr. Monica Ilie, Mathematical Sciences Associate Professor.
Feb 5	Lakehead University has a new Record (Thunder Bay) , (Orillia) Lakehead University students now have a new tool to tell their whole university story. The Co-Curricular Record (CCR) was launched as a new and exciting initiative for all students at Lakehead’s Orillia and Thunder Bay campuses. The CCR is an official document that chronicles a student’s involvement in not-for-credit activities at Lakehead University.
Feb 4	Lakehead University Experts are In Conversation at the Library (Thunder Bay) This is a reminder that Lakehead University’s new In Conversation speaker series will continue at the Thunder Bay Public Library until April. Talks will be hosted by experts from Lakehead University who will discuss topics ranging from the beauty of bugs, classical guitar, and the fashion and femininity of flappers from the 1920s.
Feb 4	Lakehead University Provost Announces Two Decanal Renewals (Thunder Bay) Lakehead's Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Dr. Rod Hanley, today announced the renewal of two of our University's deans: Dr. Lori Livingston, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, and Dr. Gillian Siddall, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. "These decanal renewals are in recognition and response to the dedication and contribution these individuals have made to their respective faculties and Lakehead as a whole," said Dr. Hanley. "In a time of increased importance in post-secondary education, universities need to retain those in key positions whose strategies and philosophies only serve to benefit our students and the future of academia.”
Jan 31	Explore research, solve clues and win prizes with the Research Matters Virtual Scavenger Hunt (Orillia) , (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University is one of 21 Ontario universities launching a Virtual Scavenger Hunt that will take the public on an intriguing online journey through the world of research, the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) announced this week. The month-long contest, which begins Monday, Feb. 3, is open to students and the general public. Contestants can solve new clues every day to enter for prizes. Intrepid scavengers who get all 21 clues correct will be able to unlock a secret message that they can then submit to be entered for grand prizes. “Ontario's universities constantly produce useful and fascinating research that we generally only hear about when a major breakthrough is made,” says Erica Sawula, Lakehead University’s Research Matters Student Ambassador.
Jan 22	Lakehead University’s Education Fair will offer career opportunities for students (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University’s Education Fair 2014 will be held on Friday, Jan. 24 from 10 am – 3 pm in the Agora. This year’s Fair will present a wide range of teaching opportunities by hosting school boards from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC and First Nation Education Authorities. Teacher recruitment agencies from the UK, China and Korea will also be here to meet upcoming teachers. “We continue to see increased teacher recruitment in northern and western parts of Canada and a competitive demand for Canadian teachers overseas, particularly in the United Kingdom,” said Christina Buzzi, Career and Employment Specialist with Lakehead University’s Student Success Centre. The Ontario Provincial Police and Camp Kodiak will also be present.
Jan 20	New National Toolkit will improve Long Term Care (Thunder Bay) The Quality Palliative Care in Long Term Care Alliance held a national launch for its new toolkit on Monday, January 20th. “The Alliance’s primary goal was to develop sustainable, person-focused palliative care programs consistent with the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association's Square of Care using a capacity development process,” said Dr. Mary Lou Kelley, Principal Investigator of the Quality Palliative Care in Long Term Care Alliance.
Jan 15	Lakehead University Receives CFI Grant for Greener Mining Technology (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University researchers will soon be able to take waste from the forest industry to create environmentally-friendly, bio-based chemicals used for mine rehabilitation.
Jan 10	Fulbright Canada Establishes Visiting Research Chair in Interdisciplinary Sustainability at Lakehead University (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University and the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America (Fulbright Canada) have agreed to establish a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Interdisciplinary Sustainability Solutions at Lakehead. The memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed today at Lakehead University, furthers Lakehead’s commitment to addressing today’s complex sustainability challenges. “Solutions to sustainability issues are needed around the world and across many disciplines,” said Lakehead University’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson. “The creation of this Visiting Research Chair at Lakehead, and our new partnership with Fulbright Canada, illustrates this University’s determination to more fully understand and respond to our world’s social and ecological challenges.”
Jan 7	Lakehead University participating in sustainability assessment (Orillia) , (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University has registered for the Sustainability Tracking and Rating System (STARS) to rate sustainability on the Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses. Offered through the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (ASSHE), STARS is a voluntary, self-reporting tool that will rate the university’s sustainability achievements from economic, environmental and social perspectives.
Dec 6	Lakehead University Holds National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Thunder Bay) It will take a community approach to end violence against women, said Jayal Chung, Coordinator of Lakehead University’s Gender Issues Centre on today’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. “Violence against women is a human rights issue. Everyone can begin to address gender-violence by becoming aware of the oppressive structures that support violence and reflecting on the attitudes we hold about women.
Dec 5	Lakehead signs MOU with UAlberta’s Faculty of Arts School in Italy (Orillia) , (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University officials have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes a relationship with the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Arts School in Cortona, Italy.
Nov 27	Lakehead University’s Faculty of Law Signs Aboriginal Protocol Agreement (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University officials have signed a protocol agreement with Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the Union of Ontario Indians, Grand Council Treaty #3, and Métis Nation of Ontario to establish a strong, meaningful and respectful working relationship regarding the Faculty of Law. The agreement brings together these Aboriginal leaders who will meet on a semi-annual basis to discuss issues relating to Aboriginal perspectives of the law. “I look forward to working with First Nation and the Métis Nation organizations in furthering the Faculty of Law’s mandate of focusing on Aboriginal law and understanding of Aboriginal issues, the needs of small practitioners, and natural resources law,” said Faculty of Law Founding Dean Lee Stuesser.
Nov 22	Lakehead’s Faculty of Law Receives Approval for Canada’s First Integrated Practice Curriculum (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University’s Faculty of Law has received approval from the Law Society of Upper Canada for its Integrated Practice Curriculum (IPC), the first in Canada to integrate legal professional training into a law degree. The Faculty of Law’s model of legal education fuses the theory of law with the practice of law. In addition to learning law, students will also acquire the necessary practical skills to use the law effectively. “Our curriculum is aimed at integrating legal skills with substantive legal knowledge,” said Professor Lee Stuesser, Founding Dean of Lakehead’s Faculty of Law. “Skills are taught progressively and coordinated so they build one upon the other – course by course, year by year.”
Nov 21	Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute and Lakehead University Scientist developing a new method for breast imaging (Thunder Bay) Dr. Alla Reznik, a Professor of Physics at Lakehead University and Senior Scientist with the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (TBRRI), is developing a new cancer imaging technique with financial support from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF). The CBCF grant provides Dr. Reznik and her research team with $450,000 over three years to develop a Portable Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) device as a new method for breast imaging. The PEM will be more effective for detecting tumours in younger women who generally have denser breast tissue.
Nov 20	Lakehead researchers receive over $1.4 million from CIHR (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University researchers are receiving more than $1.4 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to improve the quality of people’s lives. Dr. Michel Bédard will improve the lives of seniors, Dr. Vicki Kristman will help injured workers return to work faster and Dr. Eli Nix will improve the health of Northern Ontario’s Aboriginal people.
Nov 18	Lakehead conference will explore the role of government policy in sustainable mining development (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University’s recently established Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining and Exploration (CESME) will help address challenges faced by Northwestern Ontario’s mining sector at an upcoming conference that will feature several speakers, including Bob Rae. The Role of Government Policy in Sustainable Mining Development conference will bring together researchers and participants from First Nation, Métis and other local communities, government, and industry on Thursday, Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6, 2013 at Lakehead’s University Centre, Room 1015.
Nov 15	Lakehead University shares a remarkable year with its 2012-13 Annual Report (Orillia) , (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University is celebrating its success stories in Northwestern Ontario and Central Ontario through the release of the 2012-13 Annual Report. The Annual Report describes the outstanding teaching and research occurring at both of Lakehead University’s campuses, and includes performance indicators and financial statements for 2012-13. “What we’ve achieved over the past year proves that we are on the right track in our mission to be recognized as an innovative comprehensive university,” said Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson.
Nov 12	Lakehead University’s Vocal Ensemble and TBSO Perform Britten’s Saint Nicolas (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University’s Vocal Ensemble is partnering with the Dulcisono Women’s Choir and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra to perform Benjamin Britten’s cantata Saint Nicolas to mark the centenary of the famous composer’s birth. “This piece is full of excitement and drama and features singers of all ages,” said Dr. Dean Jobin-Bevans, Associate Professor in Lakehead’s Department of Music and one of two conductors for the performance. “There will be tremendous community impact generated from this performance, which is typical of the larger musical works by Britten. There are also opportunities for the audience to participate by standing and singing,” Dr. Jobin-Bevans said.

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