Summer School on Medical Imaging launches fourth successful year

May 28, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON

Scientists with the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (TBRRI) and Lakehead University are delighted to welcome students to the 2014 Summer School on Medical Imaging (SSMI).

Now in its fourth year, the SSMI is a 16-week, multidisciplinary program designed to create the next generation of highly skilled professionals in the field of medical imaging — one of the most important tools for the future of medicine.

The SSMI emphasizes technical and scientific skills, and their application in a broader, “real-life” context that extends beyond the laboratory, said program founder and TBRRI scientist Dr. Alla Reznik, who spearheaded and directed the program in its first three years. 

“We want these students to understand and define research successes in the context of current and future patient needs, their communities, business and industry needs, and their own careers,” said Dr. Reznik, who is the Canada Research Chair in Physics of Medical Imaging at Lakehead University.

“The work is not only about being in the lab – it requires an understanding of healthcare problems in order to develop new technologies and treatments that will meet patient needs. It requires linkages with business and industry in order to bring research products to market. It is not limited to research,” Dr. Reznik said.

SSMI is one component of Dr. Reznik’s six-year, $1.6 million CREATE grant from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).  A larger goal of the project is to create a medical imaging program at Lakehead University.

Dr. Reznik’s colleague, TBRRI researcher and Lakehead professor Dr. Mitchell Albert, will take over the role of SSMI program director for 2014.

“The Summer School in Medical Imaging is a great example of how TBRRI partners with Lakehead University to train and retain our region’s youth,” said Dr. Roxanne Deslauriers, acting CEO for TBRRI and Vice-President, Research, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

“In the past, many Thunder Bay students felt that they had to leave the city to pursue education and careers in science. Now our youth are realizing they can have a top-quality education and career in the medical field — without leaving Northwestern Ontario.”

 “It is the energy and ideas of students that so often fuel research,” said Dr. Mark Gallagher, Professor and Chair, Physics Department, Lakehead University. “Lakehead is proud to partner with TBRRI on this initiative to give our students first-class training and experience in medical imaging in Northwestern Ontario.”

Participating students work directly with TBRRI and Lakehead scientists on research projects they present to their peers and instructors at the end of the course. Students also have the opportunity to shadow physicians during image-guided clinical procedures at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

 

Brandon Walker
Lakehead University
Tel. (807) 343-8177
mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca


Terry Fodë

Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute
Tel. (807) 684-6571
fodet@tbh.net



Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (TBRRI)

TBRRI is an independent, not-for-profit corporation – is the research arm of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Our scientists work closely with clinicians, medical professionals, and academic and industry partners to improve healthcare through excellence in patient-centred research focused on three molecular imaging-based platforms. Research is advanced through discovery and development of new technologies and processes that are brought to patients through clinical trials. With successful trial validation, discoveries proceed to commercialization for the benefit of patients everywhere. For more information, visit www.tbrri.com



Lakehead University

In 2015, Lakehead University will celebrate 50 years of exceptional education. Guided by a new Strategic Plan (2013-2018), our University is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses, in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years (Fall 2013) and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine's West Campus, Lakehead is among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities (2014 Maclean’s University Rankings), as well as 1st in Ontario and 2nd in Canada for its innovative research (Re$earch Infosource). Our Orillia campus is the first in North America to be built entirely to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. Share your Lakehead story as it relates to our Strategic Plan at www.lakeheadu.ca/presidents-office/nurturing-passion, and learn more about Lakehead at www.lakeheadu.ca.