Lakehead University and University of Minnesota Collaboration Strengthens Both Institutions

Lakehead University researchers are travelling to Duluth to meet with researchers from the University of Minnesota Duluth, UMD's Swenson College of Science and Engineering and Natural Resources Institute.

(September 25, 2012 " Thunder Bay, ON)

This will be the second time Lakehead University researchers travel to Duluth to meet their counterparts from the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) and UMD's Swenson College of Science and Engineering and Natural Resources Research Institute since the collaboration started in 2009.

"Canadian Universities often overlook international opportunities over the border in the United States," says Lakehead President Dr. Brian Stevenson.

"Lakehead University is uniquely positioned to add to the strength of Thunder Bay's already strong economic and social ties with Duluth and the greater Superior region. Research collaboration starts with the spark of people meeting people and discussing ideas, which is precisely what our faculty have been doing for several years with Duluth," Dr. Stevenson says.

Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research, Economic Development & Innovation), adds: "These workshops are a great way to continue developing this relationship to make the most of our mutual strengths."

Thunder Bay researchers' presentations will include the Biorefining Research Centre, Geology and Mining Initiatives, among others.

The following Lakehead representatives will head to Duluth on Tuesday: Dr. David Barnett, Dean, Faculty of Engineering; Dr. Aicheng Chen, Professor/Canada Research Chair, Chemistry; Dr. Andrew Dean, Dean, Science & Environmental Studies; Dr. Jennifer He, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering; Bruce Holm, Manager, Industry Liaison; Dr. Stephen Kissin, Professor, Geology; Dr. Matthew Leitch, Associate Professor, Natural Resource Management; Dr. Deli Li, Professor of Statistics, Department of Mathematical Sciences; Dr. Kefu Liu, Professor, Mechanical Engineering; Dr. Liping Liu, Professor, Mathematical Sciences; Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research, Economic Development & Innovation); Dr. Umed Panu, Associate Vice-President (Research); Dr. Yu Xia and Dr. Hui Zhang, both from the Faculty of Business Administration.

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For more information, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.