Lakehead University is pleased to announce that Dr. Han Chen, Professor in the Faculty of Forestry and the Forest Environment, has been named a recipient of the Early Researcher Award. Results of the latest competition were announced by the Ministry of Research and Innovation yesterday.

Dr. Chen's award was given on the heels of the McGuinty Government's commitment to permanently protect 225,000 square kilometres of the Far North's boreal forest lands from the effects of climate change.

With this award, Dr. Chen will receive $140,000 in funding for his research project entitled Productivity and Diversity in Boreal Mixedwoods. The project focuses on the sustainable management of boreal forest mixedwoods as a crucial element in the long-term health of both the ecosystem and the forestry economy - throughout Ontario and across Canada. "We need to investigate how forest management can improve forest productivity and simultaneously enhance biological diversity and carbon sequestration, the process by which forest ecosystems absorb CO2 and release O2 to produce biomass," Chen explains. "Once this is determined, we will be in a better position to develop more innovative strategies to manage Ontario's boreal forest in this ever changing environment."

In addition to training three graduate students, three undergraduate students, and one postdoctoral fellow, Chen's research will assist Ontario forest managers to develop sustainable management strategies.

LUSU's Anna Wease, Matt Granville, and Richard Longtinchallengeall Lakehead offices, departments,and facultiesto help reach LUSU's 2008 - 2009 Shinerama goal of $5,000.All proceeds will be sent to theCanadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Canada.Areas thatwish to participate in the challenge and donate to the campaign canvisit www.shinerama.ca. Please note:To make a donation, click "Sponsor A Team,"and be sure toselect the Lakehead University Student Union Team.

The 2008 Lakehead Shads' Open Daytakes place from 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 24 (Agora). Community members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Open Day gives Shad students the opportunity to answer questions about the academic program. Variety Night follows from 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. (UC 1017)and offers many fun activities including comic skits and improvisations, slideshows, and more.

(July 18, 2008 - Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead's Braun Building remains closed until further notice. Protocols for staff and faculty to enter the building are being developed, and an information meeting will be held for employees who work in the building. This meeting takes place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22 (ATAC 1003).

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About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,500 students and 2,000 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead UniversityCanada's ResearchUniversity of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on LakeheadUniversity,

(July 18, 2008 - Thunder Bay, ON) As organized under the leadership of Dr. Aicheng Chen, Canada Research Chair in Material and Environmental Chemistry, Lakehead University recently hosted a one-day symposium on lignin research and development. The symposium provided Dr. Chen and Dr. Justin Jiang, Associate Professor of Chemistry, the opportunity to discuss their NaturalSciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Strategic Project with leaders, scientists, and engineers from industry partners including the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, AbitibiBowater, and FPInnovations.

Lignin is a by-product that is produced by pulp and paper mills. Although it is typically burned to produce heat and energy, researchers are now trying to find a means to convert it to value-added products such as chemical feed stocks. This would provide a solution to the depletion of non-renewable fossil resources, promote Canadian leadership in green chemistry and a bio-based economy, aid in the development of novel technologies for the economic utilization of lignin, and benefit the pulp and paper industry as a whole.

"The Minister's 2005 Council Report of Forest Sector Competitiveness identified at least 12 forest industry mills at risk of closure in Ontario alone," recalls Dr. Chen. "The Canadian pulp and paper industry must identify new value-added products in order to stay competitive, and this event allowed us to discuss some possibilities with our valued industry partners."

Some northern Ontario communities have already been devastated by mill closures as thousands of jobs have been lost over the past six years. Should all 12 at-risk mills close, the Province could lose up to 38,000 direct and indirect jobs and $1 billion in provincial tax revenue.

Alongside Drs. Chen and Jiang, the symposium's speaking panel comprised Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Dean, Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies, Lakehead University; Dr. David A. Benko, R&D Fellow, Goodyear, Akron, Ohio, USA; Jack Porter, AbitibiBowater, Thunder Bay; Drs. Thomas C. Browne and Michael Paleologou, FPInnovations, Montreal; Dr. Leon Magdzinski, National Research Council of Canada; and Bruce Holm, Manager, Innovation Management Office, Lakehead University. Topics discussed included lignin's sources, chemicals, by-products, and potential applications, as well as biorefinery initiatives and future research plans of the NSERC Strategic Project.

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Media: Dr. Chen is available for media interview and can be reached directly at 807-343-8318. For additional information, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, 807-472-9113, or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,500 students and 2,000 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead UniversityCanada's ResearchUniversity of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on LakeheadUniversity, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

(July 17, 2008 - Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead's School of Nursing Building re-opened this morning as planned.

The Braun Building will remain closed until further notice.

The fire area in the east wing of the Braun Building will be isolated so that remediation of the remaining building areas can begin. This remediation will commence in all common areas, with the exception of the building's east wing.

Lakehead University continues to assess the damages associated with the fire and to work on both short-term and long-term plans for all affected departments and activities.

Another update will be provided at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18.

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About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,500 students and 2,000 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead UniversityCanada's ResearchUniversity of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on LakeheadUniversity, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

(July 16, 2008 - Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University's Braun Building Complex and School of Nursing Building have remained closed due to a fire that took place on Monday evening, July 14, 2008.

The fire that originated on the second floor of the Braun Building is still under investigation by the Office of the Fire Marshall, and the cause is yet to be determined.

Based on information provided by the Fire Marshall's office, the School of Nursing Building will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 17.

The Braun Building is closed and will remain closed until further notice. This decision was made based on discussion with the Fire Marshall's Office and the Disaster Recovery Team, sent by the University's insurance companies.

Upon preliminary inspection of the Braun Building, it was discovered that potentially hazardous material resulting from the fire is spread throughout the Building. Once an analysis of health and safety issues is completed, a protocol for access will be communicated.

Since the fire occurred, Lakehead University Administration has been working diligently to find temporary workstations for staff, students, and faculty who have been displaced. It is the University's priority to resume normal business as soon as possible.

Another update will be provided at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 17.

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About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,500 students and 2,000 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead UniversityCanada's ResearchUniversity of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on LakeheadUniversity, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

(July 15, 2008 - Thunder Bay, ON) A fire broke out in the Lakehead University Braun Building Complex on Monday, July 14. The Braun and School of Nursing buildings are now closed, and all activities that normally take place in these buildings are cancelled until further notice.

Superior Science, the science and technology summer camp for children, will be operational on Wednesday, July 16. Normal pickup and drop off times will be in effect. Superior Science staff can be reached at 343-8403.

Lakehead University is waiting to receive further instruction from the Thunder Bay Fire Department. The Office of Communications will provide additional updates to the University community and the media on a regular basis.

All employees with offices in the buildings concerned should contact their immediate supervisor for further instruction.

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Media: Michael Pawlowski, Vice-President (Administration and Finance), is available for media comment and can be reached directly at 807-343-8383. For additional information, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, 807-472-9113.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,500 students and 2,000 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead UniversityCanada's ResearchUniversity of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on LakeheadUniversity, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

(July 15, 2008 - Thunder Bay, ON) The Braun Building Complex and the School of Nursing Building were closed on Tuesday, July 15, due to a fire that took place on Monday evening, July 14, 2008.

Lakehead University has not determined the extent of the damage as access to the building is restricted. Lakehead will share information about access to the building through regular Communications Bulletins.

This is what we know to date:

Access to the Braun Building is closed until Monday, July 21 due to health and safety issues (e.g. air quality, lack of fire alarms, etc.).

The School of Nursing Building may be opened prior to Monday, July 21 if health and safety issues can be adequately addressed in the School of Nursing. A Communications Bulletin will be issued on Wednesday afternoon on the status of access to this building.

There are many unanswered questions regarding the fire - such as who is being displaced and for how long, the extent of the damage, and the time and cost of repairs. The answers to these and other questions will be shared with the University community as soon as they are known.

All employees with offices in the buildings concerned should contact their immediate supervisor for further instructions.

Lakehead University will issue an update on the situation at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16.

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Media: Michael Pawlowski, Vice-President (Administration and Finance), is available for media comment and can be reached directly at 807-343-8383. For additional information, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, 807-472-9113, or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

Architects have recently been hired to turn the "functional program" for Phase I into the schematic design for the first building. If Lakehead is to stay on schedule with its plan to open the campus in the fall of 2010, the schematic design must be completed by mid-August.

Members of the Integrated Project Team and the architects would like to review these materials with interested parties as the schematic design is developed. This is a critical opportunity for members of the University community to review the work that has been done to date and to provide input into the next stage of the design process.