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.

Published in The Chronicle Journal on February 18, 2026

By EMILY DONTSOS

Over the course of a weekend in early October 2025, more than 75 people—knowledge holders, students, faculty members, and community members—gathered at Lakehead’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law in downtown Thunder Bay on the traditional territory of Anemki Wajiw (Fort William) First Nation. 

Together, they spent the weekend processing a moose hide, creating jewellery from bone, rendering bear fat, engaging in storytelling, and learning about Indigenous languages. But above all, they were invited to simply be there: to drop in, share food, and be part of a community. 

For Assistant Law Professor Larissa Speak and Dr. Leigh Potvin, who organized the event, the gathering was at the heart of their latest collaborative research project to explore and practice the principles of Anishinaabe law and governance. 

In fact, the gathering itself was the research. 

Larissa Speak, left, and Dr. Leigh Potvin, right, pour poplar bud salve into jars at a hide gathering. Photo credit: Patrick Chondon, Chondon Photography

“Our deliverables are to cultivate relationships, provide opportunities for students to learn from knowledge holders, and build community,” says Dr. Potvin, an associate professor and director of Lakehead’s School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism. “It’s about elevating Anishinaabe ways of knowing and doing.” 

The project also provides an example of collaboration between Anishinaabe and settler researchers. Professor Speak is Anishinaabe and a member of Fort William First Nation. Dr. Potvin is a settler of French and British ancestry who also has roots in Thunder Bay.

Building Relationships as an Expression of Indigenous Law 

The October event was the second hide tanning gathering hosted by Professor Speak and Dr. Potvin as part of an ongoing research collaboration funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). 

As friends and colleagues, the two scholars share the goal of decolonizing research and education by creating opportunities for students, faculty, and community members to engage in land- and relationship-based learning—principles that are core to Anishinaabe law and governance.  

The idea took root when Professor Speak, who is also the co-director of the Faculty of Law’s Mino-waabandan Inaakonigewinan Indigenous Law and Justice Institute, began attending community hide tanning camps at Fort William First Nation and saw these principles in practice.  

“Hide tanning gatherings aren’t just cultural events; they’re expressions of Anishinaabe law and governance, which is about relationships—including with our animal relatives,” says Professor Speak. “They’re about caring for each other, for the land, and for the moose.”

Together, Professor Speak and Dr. Potvin—who is particularly interested in decolonizing outdoor recreation programs by collaborating with Indigenous partners—secured support from SSHRC to bring the power of hide tanning to the Lakehead community. 

Jean Marshall teaching with a hide. 

 Doing, Listening, and Creating Together 

The 2025 event was held at the same site as last year’s event to honour a key principle of Anishinaabe law and governance. 

“You always return to the same place to continue strengthening relationships and to make your presence known to the land,” explains Professor Speak. 

The urban location was also intentional. “We wanted to show that cities are Indigenous lands too, that Indigenous law, culture, and governance belong everywhere. We don’t only have to go to the bush to practice our laws.” 

With a moose hide offered by Jeordi Pierre, a hunter, Fort William member, land-based educator, and friend, hide-tanning activities were led by local knowledge holders and hide tanners Jean Marshall and Shelby Gagnon. The gathering was also supported by elders Charlotte Marten and Andrew Mandamin, as well as hide tanner Belmo. 

 Hide tanner, Shelby Gagnon with Speak

Participants were invited to move between different stations to engage with the hide-tanning process, sit in circle with elders, and learn through doing, listening, and creating. 

“This work is not possible without the generosity of knowledge holders. Charlotte, Andrew, Jean, Shelby, and Belmo are all so knowledgeable and they are open to sharing with everyone,” Professor Speak says. “At these gatherings, these individuals breathe life into Anishinaabe practices and traditions. Leigh and I are so happy to work with them and to have them as friends.” 

People of all ages and from all walks of life attended, including drag performer Olive Boogits, who worked on the hide-tanning process for a full day.

“It’s not something you see every day, and it was powerful, joyful, and inclusive,” Dr. Potvin says. “It was also a reflection of the fact that this resurgence in hide tanning as an expression of Anishinaabe governance is being led by women, non-binary, and queer people. It’s profoundly beautiful.”  

Elder, Charlotte Marten with Olive Boogits in drag

Fostering New Perspectives on the Path to Decolonization 

In the months ahead, the researchers will host a sharing circle to gather reflections from participants as they plan for their next gathering. They say the sharing circle will be more than just a necessary activity in their research process. 

“It’s part of the law,” says Professor Speak. “How people feel, what they experience, what they need—that all matters in Anishinaabe law and governance.” 

The researchers hope their work will ultimately inspire students and faculty alike to rethink how we learn, what we learn about, and what’s valued in higher education. 

“When we see students, knowledge holders, faculty, and community members all working together, it changes how they think about what’s possible in education,” says Professor Speak. “If we really taught from within Anishinaabe pedagogies, learning would happen in context—on the land, with many teachers—not just one person at the front of a lecture hall.” 

This ongoing research project closely aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including #3: Good Health and Well-Being, #4: Quality Education, #10: Reduced Inequalities, and #12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Last spring, when Academics Without Borders (AWB) issued a call for a volunteer to help a new Ugandan university develop a comprehensive research plan, Dr. Andrew P. Dean knew he had found the perfect match for his expertise.

As Lakehead University’s then Vice-President of Research and Innovation, Dr. Dean saw an opportunity to bridge his professional background with a long-standing interest in international development. 

“Serving in various roles at different universities, including as the Vice-President, Research and Innovation at Lakehead, taught me so much about what makes a university thrive. As my term wrapped up and I looked ahead to what’s next, I really wanted to pay that knowledge forward. This opportunity was a chance for me to use my experience to help where it’s needed most,” says Dr. Dean.

Following the application process, the University of Saint Joseph at Mbarara (USJM) selected Dr. Dean to lead the project, kickstarting a collaboration aimed at a critical milestone: gaining a full charter as an accredited university from the Higher Education Council of Uganda.

Understanding the Ugandan Context

The project began over Zoom, navigating an eight-hour time difference throughout the spring and summer of 2025. However, Dr. Dean’s Ugandan colleagues emphasized that an extended visit to the university and city would be necessary to truly understand the Ugandan context and what could be realistically achieved. 

Through the highly effective organization and support of AWB, and assistance from Lakehead University and USJM, Dr. Dean travelled to Mbarara in Southwest Uganda in October 2025. 

With Rwanda just to the south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, the region offered a profound shift in perspective for him. 

"I crossed over the equator six times during my visit and got to understand what the rain really means in the rainforest," Dr. Dean recalls. 

Building a Plan Through Community

During his month-long residency, Dr. Dean conducted over 20 interviews and focus group sessions, engaging with students and alumni, faculty and senior administrators, and church officials and community groups. 

Beyond data collection, he integrated himself into the academic life of USJM. He delivered two guest lectures: one for over 80 undergraduate students on research opportunities—noting with a smile that, much like in Canada, students were hesitant to fill the front row—and a second for faculty titled, "Nation Building through Research."

Navigating Challenges with Optimism

The visit highlighted a stark digital and financial divide. At USJM, basics that North American institutions often take for granted—reliable internet, computer access, and even printing costs—are constant hurdles.

"The reality of what the university could afford and implement required a number of revisions to the plan," Dr. Dean notes. "What really struck me was the willingness to work hard, find alternative solutions, and remain optimistic to collectively advance this evolving university."

In Uganda, education is highly valued and viewed as a means to break the cycle of poverty. This cultural value fueled the collaborative effort to ensure the Research Plan was both ambitious and grounded in the university's fiscal reality.

A Lasting Connection

Life in Mbarara wasn't all work for Dr. Dean; the community welcomed him with a cottage and a canine companion named Simba. 

Between walks through banana plantations and sharing many meals and tea with local community members, he finalized a plan that reflects the heart of the Mbarara community. His hosts even ensured that Dr. Dean had plenty of opportunity for his favourite pastime—golf —and organized treks with mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. 

The final Research Plan was presented to the full university community at the end of October 2025. USJM is now on track to submit its application for full accreditation this spring.

Reflecting on the journey, Dr. Dean shares, "Visiting Uganda and working with the University of Saint Joseph at Mbarara on this project was incredibly fulfilling and one of the highlights of my time at Lakehead University."

The AWB Network is a consortium of Canadian post-secondary institutions that support AWB’s mission to work with higher education institutions in low and middle-income countries on capacity building initiatives to drive development and improve the quality of life in communities around the world. AWB coordinates volunteer expertise to work with colleagues at institutes of higher education on priority initiatives in academic disciplines, teaching and learning, research support, and administrative functions. Lakehead University joined the AWB Network in 2024.

By: EMILY DONTSOS

A first-of-its-kind study at Lakehead University is shedding light on mental-health challenges in the workplace—in real time. 

Through the Northwestern Ontario Workplace and Worker Health Study (NOWWHS), researchers are surveying thousands of workers across the region at workinghealth.ca. 

Every time a survey is completed, the data is automatically added to the study’s live dashboards—creating unprecedented public access to workplace mental health insights.       

Filling a critical gap in research about mental health and the workplace, NOWWHS seeks to identify exactly how workplace factors impact workers’ well-being—sector by sector—to influence meaningful change. 

“We’re seeing rising rates of mental-health challenges in northwestern Ontario workplaces. People are struggling at work, and we want to find a way to stop that,” says Dr. Vicki Kristman. She is the study’s lead and the director of Lakehead’s EPID@Work (Enhancing the Prevention of Injury and Disability at Work) Research Institute. 

Workers in Northwestern Ontario Face Unique Risk Factors 

“The nature of work here is different from southern Ontario,” says Dr. Kristman. “We have more people working in mining and forestry, for example, which can be isolating fields. And health-care workers—who represent half of our workforce—often struggle with significant understaffing and limited resources.”

Recognizing mental health as a growing challenge in northwestern Ontario workplaces, Dr. Kristman and her team launched NOWWHS in 2023 with funding from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development. The study directly aligns with two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. 

Over the next five to ten years, the researchers aim to recruit 6,000 participants across all sectors in the region—from mining to forestry, health care, education, and beyond. 

With funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the team is also working in close collaboration with the Nokiiwin Tribal Council to recruit at least 500 Indigenous workers to gain insights into their unique experiences and risk factors. 

Dr. Kristman says students and post-doctoral fellows have played a vital role in supporting participant recruitment efforts, data analysis, and offshoot studies exploring specific sectors and professions. 

“We have many students working as research assistants and helping with data collection. They’re also using the data we’re collecting within their dissertations,” she says. 

“I also have four PhD students on the team right now, including one who is looking into the specific issue of burnout among nurses, one who is looking at the mental-health impacts of working from home, and one interested in immigrant mental health. It’s a great opportunity to help the next generation build research skills while surfacing critical insights.” 

Findings Reveal Major Mental Health Challenges  

With 2,000 surveys completed so far, the results are already painting a powerful picture of workplace mental health in the region. 

“Almost 40% of respondents say they have been diagnosed with or received treatment for anxiety, and almost 35% for depression,” Dr. Kristman says. 

When it comes to burnout, over half of workers say they are experiencing high levels of burnout—and almost 20% say their burnout levels are extremely high. 

“One really interesting data point we’re seeing is that just 21% of workers say they feel safe sharing their thoughts and ideas about how to improve well-being in the workplace,” Dr. Kristman says. “This suggests workers may be worried about losing their jobs if they speak up, which is concerning.”  

Anyone can view the study’s real-time dashboards for mental health and workplace factors, and learn more about who is participating. 

Building a More Caring and Compassionate World 

Although the researchers are still actively recruiting participants, the real-time data emerging from NOWWHS means they’ve already started sharing insights and recommendations with employers and policymakers. 

Dr. Kristman says that based on the information emerging from the study so far, she believes many of the issues workers are facing could be improved through one simple act. 

“I think a lot of the challenges we’re seeing would resolve themselves if people just started caring more about each other,” she reflects. 

“Like so many problems in our world today, we would all be better off if we treated each other with greater care and compassion. That’s one of the central messages I hope to share through this study.” 

Are you a worker or employer in northwestern Ontario? Visit workinghealth.ca to participate in the Northwestern Ontario Workplace and Worker Health Study. Your personal information and responses will be kept confidential. 

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

Outdoor recreation voluntary associations (ORVAs) play a crucial role in creating, maintaining and managing trail systems across North America. New research conducted by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland and Lakehead University highlights how climate disruption and volunteer burnout threaten the long-term sustainability of winter trail-based recreation, particularly fat biking.

Fat bikes are off-road bicycles with extra-wide tires built for soft terrain like snow and sand. Fat biking lets riders enjoy trails year-round and is quickly becoming a popular winter recreation and tourism activity both in North America and the Nordic countries. 

Published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, a new study explores how fat biking has unexpectedly emerged as a climate-adaptive strategy for year-round recreation and tourism engagement, and event hosting, in Northwestern Ontario and Northeastern Minnesota. The study surveyed and interviewed fat bikers and outdoor recreation volunteers in both regions. 

“Although a relatively new sport, fat biking, like most winter recreational sports, now faces similar challenges associated with climate change-induced shifts in seasonal weather patterns, like snow accumulation, and following increasingly frequent one-off severe weather events,” says Professor Harvey Lemelin of Lakehead University’s School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism.

According to Dr. Lemelin, these unpredictable events strain volunteer resources, and in the absence of effective management solutions to address increased demand, infrastructure growth, and trail maintenance and grooming pressure, they directly contribute to volunteer burnout.

Research shows that while fat biking participation is growing, volunteer support lags. In interviews, volunteers reported increasing strain during heavy snow years, citing higher demands on their time, pressure to maintain trails and lack of effective volunteer recruitment and retention strategies. This is juxtaposed against the fact that, although fat bikers appreciate the work of volunteer trail groomers and event organizers, over 40 per cent of those surveyed said they were unlikely to volunteer with local ORVAs. Volunteer burnout is therefore a growing risk, and without new management strategies, climate disruption and unpredictable weather events risk overwhelming the small pool of dedicated volunteers who sustain trail networks.

The study therefore calls for ORVAs to develop seasonal trail grooming and volunteer recruitment strategies, rotate co-hosting duties for fat bike events to distribute workload, create binational or biannual events to showcase trails while reducing local volunteer strain, and implement volunteer recognition programs and succession planning to strengthen long-term sustainability.

These strategies, the authors argue, are vital to ensuring safe, well-maintained trails and the continued growth of fat biking in regions facing climate disruption.

“While based on research conducted in North America, our study’s findings have implications for regions with similar climates and comparable snowsport development and engagement histories, such as the Finnish Lakeland Region, Jämtland and Västerbotten in Sweden, and the Nordland and Troms regions of Norway,” says Postdoctoral Researcher Kelsey Johansen of the University of Eastern Finland.

“Implementing our recommendations, irrespective of where an ORVA operates, will help ensure their ability to deliver high-quality winter recreational and tourism experiences, including safe, well-groomed trails and regularly occurring events.”

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