Ingenuity's ninth cohort of the Ascend Accelerator program celebrated their graduation on July 9, 2026.

Eight student-led businesses took the stage last week at Ingenuity’s inaugural Demo Day. 

In two minutes or less, the student entrepreneurs gave short pitches showcasing how their businesses will address real-world challenges and drive regional economic growth.

It’s the largest graduating cohort of Ascend Accelerator since the business development program launched in 2020.

"As we celebrate the graduation of Ascend’s ninth cohort, I commend each team for their incredible dedication and entrepreneurial spirit,” says Ingenuity Manager Alyson MacKay. “It is remarkable to see how much Ascend has grown over the last six years—launching 42 businesses with the support of our mentors and community partners. I can't wait to see where this cohort's journey takes them as they continue to build their businesses.” 

Computer science students Haard Pathak, Prajith Ravisankar, and Srijan Ravisankar— the team behind JobRovr— credit Ingenuity with turning their vision into reality. 

Their gamified, AI-powered learning experience connects computer science students, beginning in grade 10, with recruiters and industry professionals, supporting them from their first line of code to landing an internship. 

“Through Alyson’s guidance, mentorship, workshops, and the supportive community at Ingenuity, we’ve been able to accelerate JobRovr’s development,” the group says. “This program exemplifies what it means to invest in student entrepreneurs and innovators who are shaping the future of education and career development.”

Eco-Innovation and Smart Sustainability 

Software engineering student Tony Braxton Tchio Ngoumeza returned for another session of Ascend. Tony, alongside new team members mechanical engineering student Zoha Kamran and software engineering student Sophie Petteplace, took his precision agriculture technology company, GreenShade, to the next level. 

Mechanical engineering student Zoha Kamran, member of GreenShade.

GreenShade uses predictive analytics and machine learning to help farmers improve irrigation efficiency, resource management, crop productivity, and sustainable farming practices, which are all critical to adapt to climate change.

“I wanted to come back to Ascend to think bigger about the impact our technology can have on agriculture while connecting with an inspiring community of innovators,” Tony says. “I’m grateful for the support and mentorship, and I’m excited about what lies ahead for GreenShade.” 

Among this year’s graduating businesses, two are leveraging smart technology to support one of northwestern Ontario’s economic cornerstones: forestry. 

Alireza Namvarmotlagh, founder of BorealSense (left) and Janki Gabon, founder of Canopy AI (right). 

BorealSense, developed by Master of Computer Engineering student Alireza Namvarmotlagh, uses inexpensive listening devices and artificial intelligence to help logging companies monitor wildlife activity and demonstrate their sustainable forestry practices. The platform will also generate reports to align with specific audit requirements. 

Created by Master of Computer Science student Janki Gabani, CanopyAI is a platform that monitors deforestation patterns using satellite imagery and machine learning, providing real-time alerts, visualizations, and reporting through a web dashboard. 

Janki is developing an early-stage prototype for use in northwestern Ontario with the goal of making forest monitoring more affordable, scalable, and data-driven. This in turn helps to drive the region’s bioeconomy.

Accessible Fashion and Beauty 

The founders of Wearify with Ingenuity manager, Alyson MacKay. 

“Wearify started with a simple frustration: we never feel truly confident shopping for clothes online,” says co-founder Sahil Nandha. “Ascend helped us turn that frustration into a real product that people can use today.” 

Wearify is an AI-powered virtual fashion platform that makes online shopping feel as close to a real fitting room as possible. Founded by Sahil, Priyansh Patel, Vijay Patel, Kush Makani, and Neel Patel, shoppers can create a photorealistic “digital twin” to try on virtual outfits, save looks to a personal wardrobe, and receive styling suggestions. Retailers can integrate Wearify into their businesses by adding a virtual try-on feature to their websites or by publishing their product catalogues on the platform.

Nursing student Mirabel Mordi launched Belle Extensions & Co to make beauty products for Black hair more accessible to women, girls, and students in northern Ontario. 

“Our long-term vision is to become Thunder Bay’s first dedicated beauty supply store serving the Black community,” Mirabel says. Her company provides affordable, high-quality braiding hair extensions and hair-care products designed for textured and protective hairstyles, including braids, wigs, and locs.  

Digital Care and Community Wellness

“As both a mother and an Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD student, I’m passionate about using technology to improve maternal mental health,” says Sana Sharif, founder of ThriveNest. “I want to create a future where every mother has access to the care and resources she needs to thrive.” 

ThriveNest helps new mothers detect and manage postpartum depression with early, continuous, and personalized screening. The app uses individuals’ emotional tone of voice and text inputs, combined with clinically validated tools, to provide accessible and stigma-free screening as well as access to therapists, peer support groups, and education content. 

Providing personalized mental health support is also at the heart of Reclaimed Wolf Counselling and Consulting launched by Master of Social Work student KC Woilford. The service supports individuals, caregivers, and organizations through grief, burnout, trauma, and life transitions.

“Our approach recognizes that every story is unique and deserving of compassion, curiosity, and respect,” KC says. “I am excited to build a service that strengthens well-being in our community.” 

Over the course of Ascend Accelerator’s 10-week, boot camp-style program, the eight graduating student start-ups received funding from the John Dobson Foundation, along with expert mentorship, workshops, and weekly milestone accountability meetings to prepare them for their business launch. Ingenuity’s array of programs continues to bolster the innovation ecosystem at Lakehead.

New Scholarship-Fellowship Program Will Support Students and Researchers Travelling to Indo-Pacific Countries

Lakehead is opening new doors for students and faculty committed to tackling the global climate crisis.

In March, Lakehead received $428,528 from the Government of Canada through the Indo-Pacific Scholarships and Fellowships for Canadians program offered by Global Affairs Canada. The funding was announced during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent official visit to India as part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Over the next two years, the funding will support hands-on research and international collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region where the effects of climate change are being acutely felt.

This research mobility project will support existing and new collaborative research partnerships with universities in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically targeting the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Japan, the Philippines, Fiji, and Vanuatu. 

Expanding International Experiences

Dr. Brigitte Leblon, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources Management (L) and Dr. Glenda Bonifacio, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (R) 

Led by Dr. Brigitte Leblon, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources Management, and Dr. Glenda Bonifacio, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, the project brings together environmental and social perspectives to better understand climate change. 

“The Indo-Pacific region is one of the most vulnerable to climate change,” explains Dr. Leblon. “With more than half of the world’s population and the source of half of global greenhouse gas emissions, the region provides an important landscape for understanding the impact of climate change on natural and social environments.”

Up to 16 graduate students and 16 faculty members will have the opportunity to participate. Through the student scholarship, master's and PhD students can apply for short-term stays of one to three months or long-term stays of up to one year, while faculty members can receive a fellowship to cover short stays of up to three months.

“By establishing academic and research partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, our students will develop global perspectives on social inequalities and ecological vulnerabilities,” Dr. Bonifacio says, emphasizing the importance of adopting an interdisciplinary approach to climate change research. 

Building Lasting Partnerships

One of Lakehead’s key partners is the Kangwon National University (KNU) in the Republic of Korea, where the Faculty of Natural Resources Management is collaborating on adaptive forest and wildfire management solutions. Forestry sectors in Canada and Korea are struggling with severe climate change disturbances, including insect outbreaks, pest infestations, wildfires, and the loss of wildlife and biodiversity. These shared challenges are driving the need for new strategies to ensure a sustainable supply of renewable forest-based materials that are essential to the bioeconomy. 

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities is strengthening relationships with the University of Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan, and has additional partnerships under development in the Philippines, Fiji, and Vanuatu. Projects will explore the human dimensions of climate-change adaptation and mitigation in island communities and their impact on gender equality, food security, and the role of women in building resilient societies.

“This initiative reinforces Lakehead’s commitment to expanding student opportunity and providing transformational experiences,” says Vice-President of Research and Innovation Dr. Langis Roy. “It will prepare our students to lead on the world stage, fostering cross-disciplinary innovation and partnerships that will protect both our natural environment and our global communities.”

Graduate students and faculty members interested in participating in this international mobility research program can learn more here: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/programs/departments/nrm/global-affair-projects/ipsf

Published in The Chronicle Journal on June 18, 2026 

By EMILY DONTSOS

While working as a lawyer in Vancouver, Dr. Joan Braun was recruited to run a new legal aid clinic for seniors, the first of its kind in western Canada. 

She expected calls from seniors seeking legal advice on a wide range of issues. But what she didn’t anticipate was the flood of calls from adult children caring for aging parents. 

Their worries were vast and complex. Some were concerned that their parents were being taken advantage of by other family members; others wondered how to protect their loved ones in the face of early onset dementia without violating their legal rights. 

“These calls raised complicated questions, and I saw so many rights issues that weren’t being addressed at all by the legal system,” Dr. Braun says. “I found them intriguing. They didn’t seem easy to resolve, and I wanted to figure that out.” 

Inspired to delve deeper, Dr. Braun pursued a Master of Laws degree followed by a PhD with a focus on elder law. Six years ago, she joined Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law as an assistant professor.  

Today, Dr. Braun is one of just a handful of scholars in Canada focused on advancing the legal rights of older adults.

“Compared to the United States, there is not a big focus in Canada on elder law from an academic perspective,” says Dr. Braun, who is an affiliated researcher with Lakehead’s Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health. “But I think scholars can bring perspectives and ideas that practitioners don’t necessarily have the time to consider.”

Scrutinizing Canada’s Legal System 

Dr. Braun’s research explores how Canada’s existing legal frameworks are being used—or not—to protect older adults without violating their human and legal rights. 

One recent project examined the Protecting Canada’s Seniors Act, a 2012 amendment to the Criminal Code designed to ensure tougher sentences for those who take advantage of or commit crimes against elderly Canadians. Dr. Braun wanted to understand how often the act is actually applied by reviewing published court cases. 

“I found that it’s used very rarely in cases of elder abuse,” she says. “A lot of people think Canada is doing well in this area because we have this law, but if the courts never use it, it doesn’t actually do anything to protect older adults.” 

Building on her findings, Dr. Braun is now designing a study to examine how Canada’s criminal justice system responds to the abuse and neglect of older adults—particularly when it comes to crimes committed against older adults with dementia. This population experiences abuse at a higher rate than older adults without dementia. 

Yet they are represented in frighteningly few court cases—suggesting their abusers are not being brought to justice. “Unlike the United States, Canada does not have mandatory reporting laws for older people in the community experiencing abuse,” Dr. Braun says.

Mandatory reporting only applies to older people living in long-term care facilities or retirement homes, which may explain why fewer investigations are initiated. Introducing mandatory reporting laws, however, will not resolve the problem. Preliminary research suggests there are barriers within the criminal justice system that prevent these cases from proceeding.

Dr. Braun’s proposed study will identify these barriers through interviews with police, court personnel, and other stakeholders and make recommendations for addressing them.

Older Adults Shouldn’t be Overlooked or Forgotten

At the heart of Dr. Braun’s research is a desire to shine a light on the experiences of older adults, who are often ignored by society as they age. She’s particularly interested in older adults experiencing barriers that increase their vulnerability, such as language issues, uncertain immigration status, poverty, and cognitive disabilities. 

“I find that so many people just don’t think much about discrimination and abuse against older adults,” she says. 

Dr. Braun is also bringing her advocacy into the classroom. Through her elder law course, which she created after joining Lakehead, Dr. Braun is helping train new generations of legal practitioners to centre the rights and well-being of older adults in their work—whether or not they go on to specialize in the field. 

“Elder law is an issue that Canada’s legal system has not fully addressed, and it’s becoming increasingly urgent as the population ages,” Dr. Braun says. “My goal is to build the capacity of the legal system to fully respect the rights of older adults and help them achieve justice in cases of abuse.” 

Dr. Braun’s research project directly aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) #3: Good Health and Well-Being, #10: Reduced Inequalities, and #16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. 

Research in Action highlights the work of Lakehead University in various fields of research.

Published in The Chronicle Journal on May 8, 2026

By EMILY DONTSOS

Retrieving short-set gillnets on the Research Vessel Blue Heron on Lake Superior. Similar capture methods are used for monitoring walleye on Rainy Lake and other inland lakes.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of anglers take to the waters of northern Ontario to fish for walleye, an abundant native species beloved by tourists and residents alike. 

It’s been a booming industry for generations, contributing nearly half a billion dollars annually to the province’s GDP and bringing vast economic benefits to the region. 

But walleye now face emerging threats that pose risks to both the fish themselves and those who consume them—threats that Dr. Michael Rennie, an applied ecologist and associate professor at Lakehead University, is working to get ahead of before it’s too late. 

His biggest concern? A tiny invasive crustacean known as the spiny water flea. Hardly more than a centimetre in length, this miniscule predator is causing critical changes to the walleye population that could damage ecosystems, the economy, and human health. 

“Spiny water fleas first appeared in Ontario’s lakes in the 1980s and have spread rapidly since then,” Dr. Rennie says. 

“The main issue is that they compete with larval walleye for food, which sets young walleye on a slower growth trajectory. Walleye that grow slowly accumulate more mercury over time, which is then consumed by the people who catch and eat them.” 

Diving into the Data 

With the support of a master’s student, Eric Randall, Dr. Rennie is studying the impact of the spiny water flea, and other factors, on walleye populations in Rainy Lake—a popular fishery located between Fort Frances, Ontario, and International Falls, Minnesota. 

Their research project is supported by funding from the Rainy Lake Conservancy and the Rainy Lakes Fishery Charity Trust. Both organizations are dedicated to preserving and protecting Rainy Lake and the surrounding watershed.  

For the first time, their work is bringing together walleye population data from Minnesota state agencies and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. By analyzing this data, the researchers are working to build a comprehensive picture of how the fishery in the complex lake system, which itself was invaded by the spiny water flea in the mid-2000s, has changed over time. 

“A formal assessment of the Rainy Lake walleye fishery hadn’t been done in over a decade, and no one has ever brought together binational data from all of these different, disparate survey methods before,” Dr. Rennie says. 

While they are still analyzing data, one thing is clear: the spiny water flea presents an outsized risk to northern Ontario’s walleye population and those who rely on it for sustenance, income, and recreation. 

Dr. Rennie hopes to leverage his findings to advocate for proactive fishery management. 

“We want to get ahead of this issue before we can see the impacts in front of us, such as dangerous levels of mercury in walleye or changes to the population size,” he says. "In my experience, by the time it’s clear something is wrong with a fishery, it can be too late—which is why proactive, data-driven mitigation strategies are so critical.”

Changes on the Horizon 

Based on their findings, Dr. Rennie is pushing for updates to safe fish consumption guidelines, which in some cases are based on data collected in the 1970s. 

“This is especially critical for First Nations communities that rely on walleye as a daily dietary staple and may be unknowingly consuming dangerous amounts of mercury,” he says. 

Building on the binational data collection and analysis his team has already done to date, Dr. Rennie also hopes to advocate for greater collaboration between researchers and policymakers in Ontario and Minnesota. Despite sharing vast resources, the two currently operate entirely independently of one another. 

“Right now, we have people on both sides of the border who really want to work together to understand the health of our shared lake systems and how we can protect their future,” he says. “I’m grateful to be part of it.”  

Dr. Michael Rennie’s research project directly aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) #3: Good Health and Well-Being, #6: Clean Water and Sanitation, #12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and #14: Life Below Water.

Research in Action highlights the work of Lakehead University in various fields of research. 

Chemical engineering professor and director of Lakehead’s Biorefining Research Institute, Dr. Pedram Fatehi, has been elected as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) in recognition of his contributions to engineering education and technology development, specifically in the field of biorefining and sustainable materials engineering. 

Across over 30 major research projects, Dr. Fatehi has secured more than $12 million in research funding, supervised over 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, mentored junior faculty, and published more than 350 refereed papers with 13,400 citations. His patents and 50 plus industrial partnerships have driven the commercialization of green processes that reduce petrochemical use, water consumption, and emissions in different products and processes. 

“I am honoured to be elected as a Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the highest honour an engineer can receive in Canada,” Dr. Fatehi says. “This recognition reinforces my commitment to leading innovative research at Lakehead University and training the next generation of talent who will continue to shape the future of engineering as a field.” 

Dr. Fatehi's transformative leadership has strengthened Canada's global standing in sustainable technologies and the circular bioeconomy.

“This well-deserved honour reflects Dr. Fatehi’s exceptional ability to educate a new generation of professionals and turn complex research challenges into practical innovations,” says Vice-President of Research and Innovation Dr. Langis Roy. “His collaborative work with industry partners has advanced the field of engineering by implementing sustainable local solutions with broad applications in Canada and across the globe. The recent demonstration of a biofuel pilot plant in Thunder Bay is a prime example of this type of collaboration.” 

Elected by their peers through a highly competitive selection process, Fellows are recognized for their outstanding leadership and impact on the engineering profession in Canada and around the world. The CAE includes over 800 Fellows dedicated to the application of science and engineering principles to advance social, environmental, economic, and technical solutions. 

Dr. Fatehi will be inducted as a Fellow during the CAE’s annual conference on June 1 in Edmonton, Alberta.

In November 2025, Lakehead associate professor Dr. Michael Rennie took to Parliament Hill to learn what happens at the intersection of science and politics. 

The fifth annual Science Meets Parliament event, organized by the Canadian Science Policy Centre, brought together 43 researchers from across Canada to meet with 56 parliamentarians in Ottawa. 

Dr. Rennie—an applied ecologist and former Tier II Canada Research Chair in Freshwater Ecology and Fisheries—was thrilled to be selected to attend. 

“As a past government scientist, I wanted to learn more about the inner workings of science policy and the mechanics of government from the perspective of members of Parliament (MPs),” he says.  

“Scientists can struggle to understand how their work connects to government funding and priorities, while politicians may not have a science background, but need to make evidence-informed decisions.  

It was great to gain insights into how it all works and make connections,” adds Dr. Rennie, whose research focuses on risks to northern Ontario’s walleye population and how to mitigate these risks through policy. 

Delegates participated in eight training sessions on topics ranging from science policy to science communication and had opportunities to attend committee meetings and Question Period in both the Senate and House of Commons. 

Dr. Rennie was paired with Dr. Jennifer McKelvie, an environmental geoscientist and the MP for Ajax. She sits on the Standing Committee on Science and Research and welcomed Dr. Rennie to her meetings with organizations seeking to connect with government officials on a wide range of issues. 

He also had a chance to meet with Dr. Mona Nemer, Canada’s chief science advisor, and hear from representatives of the major federal funding agencies, including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). 

“I was proud to speak about my research with both Lakehead and the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), a unique freshwater research facility in northern Ontario,” Dr. Rennie says. “I emphasized the importance of the Lakehead-ELA relationship for training the next generation of scientists in the field of natural resources and fisheries management.” 

But one of his biggest takeaways from the event wasn’t about science at all. 

“Meeting with parliamentarians made me realize that they are much more accessible than many of us think they are,” he says. “They are more than happy to make the time to meet and talk about issues concerning their constituents, and people should feel confident reaching out and engaging with their government.” 

Learn more about Science Meets Parliament and the Canadian Science Policy Centre.

Graduates of the Ingenuity Ascend Accelerator program, Bohdan Krauze (L) and Kolamide Idowu (R) with Ingenuity Manager, Alyson MacKay (middle). 

When creating the Rise + Bloom Counselling & Wellness Collective, Lakehead Orillia Master of Social Work students Kristin Dennis and Sarah Sallows were guided by the belief that meaningful, community-based connection is essential to how people make sense of their lives. 

In its early stages of development, Kristin and Sarah’s new business will bring together mental health professionals with diverse training and lived experience, united by a shared commitment to strengthening connections to self, others, and community. 

Rise + Bloom is one of four student-founded businesses advancing from concept to company following the students’ graduation from the Ascend Accelerator program on April 2. 

The co-creators credit the 10-week Ascend program, delivered by Ingenuity, Lakehead’s business incubator, with helping clarify their vision for Rise + Bloom. 

“We came in with an idea, and we’re leaving with something that feels more defined and truly aligned with who we are and what we want to build,” says Kristin. 

From Individual Protection to Strategic Defence

Small, low-cost drones have become one of the deadliest modern threats to countries’ security due to their accessibility and precision strike capability. In response, Master of Science student Bohdan Krauze is developing an innovative counter-drone solution that detects and neutralizes threats in real time to reduce casualties in both civilian and military environments.

“I witnessed the devastating impact of war in Ukraine and kept asking myself whether there was anything I could do to help. That question became my motivation,” says Bohdan. 

“Looking ahead, I aim to build and lead a company focused on creating hardware that strengthens defence capabilities and helps protect lives.”

Yet the idea of security doesn’t end at protecting airspace or infrastructure; it extends into the everyday realities of personal risk. For students, that increasingly means navigating and avoiding the growing threat of scams.

Fourth-year Lakehead Orillia computer science student Benjamin Noje is addressing that challenge with Campora, a verified, student-only marketplace that allows university students to buy, sell, and trade items safely. By limiting access to verified university emails, the platform eliminates scams and irrelevant listings while enabling fast, local exchanges with meeting spots right on campus. Free to use and community-driven, Campora also encourages students to save money and reduce waste through reuse. 

Built on the belief that strong cybersecurity should not be out of reach, Master of Computer Science student Kolamide Idowu’s company Cybreon Consulting supports small and medium-sized organizations’ cybersecurity needs.

“Many of these organizations need strong cybersecurity support but often don’t have the resources for a full in-house security team,” Kolamide explains. 

Through Cybreon, Kolamide offers a unique and comprehensive suite of services for customers, including risk assessments, cloud security architecture, threat detection, and regulatory compliance. 

“I’ve always been passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems, and Cybreon was inspired by my desire to help businesses build safer, more resilient digital systems,” he says.

Nurturing Entrepreneurs and Strengthening Regional Economies

Through the Ascend Accelerator program, Ingenuity supports student entrepreneurs with funding from the John Dobson Foundation, access to expert mentors, and weekly workshops to develop their businesses. 

The four graduating teams were held accountable for reaching milestone goals designed to support their path to launch.

“As we celebrate another Ascend graduation, I want to thank each of the teams for their dedication, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit over the past 10 weeks,” says Ingenuity Manager Alyson MacKay. 

“This cohort brought an exceptional level of energy and collaboration, and their ventures reflect not only innovative thinking, but a strong commitment to creating meaningful impact within our communities.”

For more about Ingenuity, visit www.lakeheadu.ca/centre/ingenuity.

As interest in structured mountain adventure continues to surge across Europe and North America, a new study led by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland and Lakehead University provides the first comprehensive scoping review and research agenda dedicated specifically to Via Ferrata tourism and recreation. 

Published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, the study examines the rapid growth of this hybrid outdoor sport, which combines elements of hiking, mountaineering, and rock climbing, and highlights the critical need for dedicated research to guide the sustainable and commercially viable development of Via Ferrata. “Our findings show that Via Ferrata has often been treated as a sub-category of mountaineering or climbing. In reality, it represents a distinct hybrid activity with its own participation pathways, risk profiles, and destination impacts,” says Postdoctoral Researcher Kelsey Johansen of the University of Eastern Finland.

Via Ferrata (Italian for “iron path”) routes are engineered climbing systems featuring fixed steel cables, ladders, rungs, bridges and stairs that create structured, managed access to vertical and exposed terrain. In European markets, related terms such as Sentiero Attrezzato (“equipped path”) and Klettersteig (“climbing path”) are used to distinguish these purpose-built routes from traditional hiking, mountaineering and rock climbing, reinforcing their identity as a distinct and professionally managed activity. Although the study provides some initial guidelines to help land managers, guiding services, professional mountaineering associations, and climbing organizations anticipate future growth pressures, and align safety, sustainability and commercial viability, Johansen says that more research is needed to support responsible growth.  

The need for clearer conceptualisation comes at a pivotal moment for the sector. While Via Ferrata route systems have long been established in European mountain regions, expansion surged across North America during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting wider growth in outdoor recreation and nature-based and adventure tourism.

Despite the growth, Via Ferrata remains significantly under-researched particularly in North America and is often classified within broader mountaineering, engineering or medical scholarship, leaving industry development and land management decisions without a consolidated evidence base.     

“Via Ferrata is no longer a niche alpine curiosity. It is becoming a structured, commercialised gateway to vertical terrain,” explains Prof. Dr. Harvey Lemelin, professor in Lakehead University’s School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism. “Yet the sport’s development is outpacing the research needed to support evidence-informed route planning, environmental management, and industry standards.”

Like other hybridised summit and mountain access innovations, Via Ferrata facilitates access to previously remote and, in some cases, ecologically sensitive alpine and canyon environments. This creates new economic opportunities but also complex planning, governance, safety, and environmental stewardship challenges. Compounding these issues are climate-related impacts affecting seasonal access, infrastructure stability, and long-term mountain tourism planning.

The results of the study provide a foundation for the next phase of the global research program led by Dr. Johansen and Prof. Dr. Lemelin. Next, the authors will focus on collecting data and industry perspectives to support the development of applied management guidelines and invite collaboration from Via Ferrata operators and guiding services; professional mountaineering and climbing associations; land management agencies; destination management organisations; and industry bodies in North America and the European Union.

North American organisations interested in participating are encouraged to contact Prof. Dr. Lemelin, rhlemeli@lakeheadu.ca. Organisations in the European Union are encouraged to contact Dr. Johansen, kelsey.johansen@uef.fi.

This research received financial support from the UEF Water research programme, which is jointly funded by the Saastamoinen Foundation, the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, and the Olvi Foundation.

Published in The Chronicle Journal on March 12, 2026

By EMILY DONTSOS

A quiet threat is slowly emerging in northern Ontario’s lakes—and Lakehead PhD candidate Nathan Wilson is determined to get to the bottom of it. 

Commonly known as blue-green algae, cyanobacteria blooms are increasingly present in the region’s waters. A sign of an out-of-balance ecosystem, cyanobacteria can also produce dangerous liver and neurological toxins that put human and animal health at risk. 

But regular monitoring of the lakes has been virtually non-existent. It was believed that their cold temperatures and lack of human activity meant that they were healthy and pristine.

This assumption allowed cyanobacteria to grow unnoticed. 

That is, until now. 

Under the supervision of Dr. Robert Stewart, associate professor in geography and the environment, Wilson is working to understand what’s causing this change and what can be done to stop it.  

A Growing Body of Evidence 

Wilson first spotted cyanobacteria blooms a decade ago while sampling lake water for his Lakehead University master’s project. 

“When I saw cyanobacteria under a microscope for the first time, I realized how little monitoring is actually done in northern Ontario’s lakes,” he says. “So many unanswered questions emerged from that work, and it’s become a passion of mine to figure it out and raise awareness about this issue.” 

Wilson has spent years collecting samples from remote lakes with the support of lake associations, cottage owners, First Nations communities, and fishing groups as well as individuals who’ve contacted him after spotting blooms. 

Using environmental DNA analysis, he has been able to track changes in the presence of cyanobacteria over time. 

“Nathan’s research shows that the issue is not just about researchers becoming more aware of the problem; there is evidence that cyanobacteria actually has been steadily increasing,” says Dr. Stewart, who has been supervising Wilson’s research since his master’s project. 

Wilson’s research points to both climate change and increasing human activity as key factors in the presence of cyanobacteria. Warming temperatures have disrupted the nutrient balance, while pollution and waste have only exacerbated the problem. 

Despite this growing threat, Wilson and Dr. Stewart say governments have been slow to act. Compared to lakes in southern Ontario, which face significant challenges when it comes to pollution and the impacts of climate change, northern Ontario’s lakes are deemed less of a concern. 

“We’re still living in a system that believes these cold lakes just don’t change,” Dr. Stewart says. “Nathan’s work highlights that things are changing, and we need to invest the money, time, and political will to care for these lakes more seriously.” 

Advocating for Citizen Science and Collaboration 

Regular sampling is required to fully understand and address the presence of cyanobacteria blooms in northern Ontario lakes. But Wilson recognizes that monitoring thousands of lakes across vast distances is not feasible for government agencies. 

That’s why he’s advocating for the formal inclusion of citizen scientists in the region’s monitoring practices. 

“Right now, the government does not typically accept water samples collected by members of the public, which is a major missed opportunity,” he says. “We need accessible, low-barrier participation. Anyone concerned about the health of these lakes should be allowed to provide samples.” 

Wilson and Dr. Stewart are also calling for monitoring standards that are specific to the north and that emphasize collaboration between the government and the public. 

Most of all, Wilson wants northern Ontario residents and visitors to know the region’s lakes are not doomed. 

“Cyanobacteria is a critical threat, but it’s manageable,” he says. “We just need to recognize what’s happening and adjust how we interact with the system.”  

Nathan Wilson’s research project closely aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on Good Health and Well-Being (#3), Clean Water and Sanitation (#6), Responsible Consumption and Production (#12), Climate Action (#13), and Life Below Water (#14). 

Learn more and get involved at bluegreenlabs.ca. 

Research in Action highlights the work of Lakehead University in various fields of research.

Published in The Chronicle Journal on February 20, 2026

By EMILY DONTSOS

In 2020, Dr. Pauline Sameshima received an unexpected email: A group of top HIV scientists based in the United States wanted her to join their research collaboration. 

Called the HIV Obstruction by Programmed Epigenetics (HOPE) Collaboratory, the group was working on finding a cure for HIV using a novel approach. 

Dr. Sameshima—professor and former Canada Research Chair in Arts Integrated Studies at Lakehead University—had never participated in HIV-related research. But the call represented the culmination of her work as a pioneer in the use of art, imagination, and creativity to transform learning and help people understand complex research outcomes. 

“These brilliant scientists are leading the world in HIV research. They’re getting closer to a cure rooted in the ‘block-lock-stop’ approach, which aims to permanently control the virus by making it dormant and unable to reproduce,” says Dr. Sameshima. 

“Treatment will likely be in the form of an injectable, so educating the public about what that means and where to access it is incredibly important.” 

The HOPE Collaboratory scientists were drawn to the potential of Dr. Sameshima’s work to help them develop creative strategies for reaching people at risk of, and diagnosed with, HIV/AIDS. Rooted in a research model called Parallaxic Praxis, which Dr. Sameshima developed, her approach centres on the idea that sharing information from multiple perspectives and through multiple formats enables scientific outcomes to reach more people with greater results. 

“The beautiful part about Parallaxic Praxis is that it takes into account the viewpoints of everyone involved in an issue—so the perspectives of people living with HIV are equally as important as the perspectives of the scientists developing the cure,” she says. 

From Poetry to Dance and Beyond

Members of the HOPE Collaboratory community at a book launch event for Holding HIV: Poems of HOPE in San Francisco. L to R: Dazié Grego, co-author, poet, performance artist, and HOPE Collaboratory community member; Dr. Pauline Sameshima, co-author, professor, HOPE Collaboratory Community Arts Integrated Research Lead; Dr. Patricia Defechereux, HOPE Collaboratory Community Engagement Coordinator; and Ebony Gordon, San Francisco AIDS Foundation HOPE Collaboratory liaison.

One of Dr. Sameshima’s major achievements in her work with the HOPE Collaboratory is the recent publication of Holding HIV: Poems of HOPE, a book of poetry exploring what a cure would mean for people living with HIV. 

Each poem draws on the voices and perspectives of 27 community members in San Francisco who are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. 

Participants were asked to respond creatively to two questions: “What excites you about an HIV cure?” and “What are your fears regarding an HIV cure?” The result is a collection of raw, powerful insights that aim to build compassion, reduce stigma, and raise awareness about the necessity of a cure in the face of a volatile funding landscape for HIV research. 

“We are really proud of this book, which is widely available to the public,” says Dr. Sameshima, who notes that 2,500 copies of the book are being freely shared. “It’s been a highlight of my career, bringing research together with art and community engagement in a way that gets ideas and data out into public spaces through creative avenues.” 

Dr. Sameshima’s work extends beyond public education—she is also focused on shifting the perspectives of scientists themselves through the power of the arts. 

During her work with the HOPE Collaboratory, Dr. Sameshima designed a dance activity that represented the ‘block-lock-stop’ approach to an HIV cure. All participants were part of the research team, and many were apprehensive about dancing. 

“We used different strategies to help them feel more comfortable, which allowed them to see how this concept can be applied to public education around an HIV cure,” she says. 

“For example, they now have a better understanding of the importance of offering treatment directly in communities where people living with HIV are already accessing services—places they feel comfortable, safe, and supported.”

Dr. Sameshima’s body of work advances a number of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including #3: Good Health and Well-Being, #4: Quality Education, and #10: Reduced Inequalities.    

A Champion of Imagination in Research 

When she considers the long-term benefits of her work, Dr. Sameshima—who wrote her PhD thesis as a fictional novel to encourage more people to read it—says she hopes to demonstrate that imagination has a critical place in research. 

“If we can imagine something, that’s the first step to making it a reality,” she says. “I want to support and champion the freedom and space to imagine, especially in the context of education and research.” 

As a poet, writer, and artist in academia, she believes telling people’s stories in creative ways is crucial to building a more compassionate future. 

“Everyone’s voice matters, and bringing those voices to the forefront offers important perspectives that uplift our lives and work—not just in the sciences, but in every sector of society.” 

A book launch for Holding HIV: Poems of HOPE will take place during Lakehead’s Research and Innovation Week at Entershine Bookshop in Thunder Bay on February 24 at 7:00 pm. Dr. Sameshima is also curating an art exhibit during Research and Innovation Week from February 21 to 27. The Art Walk Tour will take place on February 24 at 4:00 pm in the CASES Building. Featuring works by community members from Lakehead, Thunder Bay, and beyond, the exhibit will showcase the power of creative practice to foster connections between people and communities. 

Research in Action highlights the work of Lakehead University in various fields of research.