July 14, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University researchers are receiving Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) grants worth more than $2.1 million. 

The following NSERC Discovery grants, given over five years, are allowing Lakehead researchers to examine better ways to harvest wind energy, to study the impacts of climate change and land use on the boreal forest, to investigate how buildings made of engineered-wood products respond in a fire, and study the formation of two dimensional polymers.

Lakehead Engineering Professor Dr. Mohammad Uddin is receiving $155,000 to develop intelligent control algorithms that will help create more efficient systems for converting wind energy into electricity and more efficient motors for electric vehicles.

"The algorithms will act like a brain by automatically adjusting the frequency and voltage of the wind generator or motor,” Dr. Uddin said. “This project will train highly qualified personnel needed by the power, oil, mine and automotive industries.”

Dr. Han Chen, a professor in the Faculty of Natural Resources Management, is receiving $170,000 to study the effects of global climate and land-use change on the diversity and ecosystem functions of the boreal forest.

“My goal is to determine how and why human influences affect the boreal forest. We will help develop mitigation and adaptation strategies to benefit local and regional ecosystems,” Dr. Chen said.

Dr. Sam Salem, an assistant professor in Civil Engineering, is receiving $110,000 to explore the structural fire performance of engineered-wood building systems.  His project focuses on glue-laminated and cross-laminated timbers; two important components of modern building construction.

 “The findings of this research will contribute to the advancement of the design and construction of buildings made of engineered-wood products in Canada,” Dr. Salem said.

Dr. Mark Gallagher, a professor in Physics, is receiving $100,000 to study the formation of atomically thin two dimensional polymers. In particular, Dr. Gallagher will investigate polymerization on silicon and oxide surfaces. 

“We anticipate that this research will contribute to the development of a new class of organic materials with wide ranging applications in electronics, optics, and sensor technology,” said Dr. Gallagher, adding that the majority of the grant will be used to support undergraduate and graduate student participation in the project.

These four projects will support approximately 18 graduate (PhD and Masters) and 10 undergraduate students.  Training of these highly qualified personnel will contribute to Canada’s economic growth and ability to respond to changing markets and environments. 

Also of interest is the $25,000 Engage grant awarded to Dr. Aicheng Chen, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and a Canada Research Chair, to assess the long-term durability of adhesive material used by Bombardier, which contributed $8,000 to the research.

Dr. Chen will use a computer-controlled test chamber to emulate environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture and sunlight on bonded joints over a period of six months.

“This research will allow Bombardier to better understand the physical and chemical properties of available adhesives in order to assess and identify suitable candidates that will work in North American environmental conditions,” Dr. Chen said.

“These projects demonstrate the diversity of research happening at Lakehead University,” said Dr. Andrew Dean, Vice-President, Research, Economic Development & Innovation (Interim).

“Congratulations to all of our researchers and thank you to NSERC for recognizing the importance of this work,” Dr. Dean said.

NSERC Grants awarded in 2013-2014

Total value of awards:  $2,106,325

Faculty Member Grants

Collaborative Research & Development Grant (three years)

• Andrew Conly, Department of Geology, Petrogenesis of magmatic-hydrothermal graphite deposits: A case study of the Albany graphite deposits, northwestern Ontario, $76,750 from NSERC plus $60,600 from Zenyatta Ventures Ltd.

Discovery Grant - Individual Operating Grant (five-year grants)

• Dr. Adam Van Tuyl, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Applications of commutative algebra, $90,000.
  
  
• Dr. Julia Berashevich, Department of Physics, and Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute, The first principles methods applied to enhance a performance of new photoconductive materials in X-ray imaging, $95,000.
  
  
• Dr. Mark Gallagher, Department of Physics, Surface-confined polymerization on semiconducting and insulating substrates, $110,000.
  
  
• Dr. Baoqiang Liao, Department of Chemical Engineering, Anaerobic membrane bioreactor for bioenergy, $125,000.
  
  
• Dr. Deli Li, Department of Mathematical Sciences, General limit theorems in probability with applications to statistics, $70,000.
  
  
• Dr. Amir Hossein Azimi, Department of Civil Engineering, Experimental and numerical investigations of multiphase jets, $120,000.
  
  
• Dr. Salama Ikki, Department of Electrical Engineering, High spectral and energy efficient multi-user large MIMO (MU-MIMO) wireless systems, $125,000.
  
  
• Dr. Han Chen, Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Diversity and ecosystem functions of boreal forest under global changes, $170,000.
  
  
• Dr. Mohammad Uddin, Department of Electrical Engineering, Control strategies for wind energy systems and motor drives with efficient electric machines, $155,000.
  
  
• Dr. Azim Mallik, Department of Biology, Post-fire habitat conditions as drivers of progressive and retrogressive succession: seedbed filter, species traits and feedback of dominant plants, $120,000.
  
  
• Dr. Sam Salem, Department of Civil Engineering, Structural fire performance of engineered-wood building systems, $110,000.
  
  
• Dr. Rachid Benlamri, Department of Software Engineering, Semantic web-based medical documentation processing for healthcare collaboration, $100,000.
  
  
• Dr. Stephen Kinrade, Department of Chemistry, Aqueous chemistry and biochemistry of silicon, $150,000.

Engage Grants (up to six months)

• Dr. Azim Mallik, Department of Biology, Productivity-biodiversity tradeoffs analysis of boreal mixedwood forests developing from a range of silvicultural intensity treatments, $25,000.  Project undertaken in partnership with Tembec.
  
  
• Dr. Pedram Fatehi, Department of Chemical Engineering, Production of furfural from NSSC spent liquor, $25,000.  Project undertaken in partnership with Lake Utopia Paper.
  
  
• Dr. Wilson Wang, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Assessment and characterization of bonding material properties, $25,000.  Project undertaken in partnership with local company, Bombardier Transportation.
  
  
• Dr. Rachid Benlamri, Department of Software Engineering, Automated web data extraction for Canadian fundraising institutions, $25,000.  Project also supported by Charter Press Limited ($10,000), the Ontario Centres of Excellence ($20,000) and Connect Canada ($5,000).
  
  
• Dr. Sudip Rakshit, Lakehead University Biorefining Research Institute and Department of Chemical Engineering, Development of enzyme catalyzed process for the reduction of beta-glucan during the malting process, $25,000.  Project undertaken in partnership with Canada Malting Company.
  
  
• Dr. Aicheng Chen, Department of Chemistry, Assessment of ageing and long-term durability of adhesive materials $25,000.  Project undertaken in partnership with Bombardier Transportation, which contributed $8,000.
  
  
• Dr. Mathew Leitch, Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Development of compression curves for determining accurate pulp pile masses based on volumetric measurements, $25,000. Project undertaken in partnership with local company CCS Central Computer Services Inc.
  
  
• Dr. Elyasi Siamak, Department of Chemical Engineering, Air Disinfection for Bombardier Rail Car Passengers, $25,000.  Project undertaken in partnership with Bombardier Transportation.
  
  
• Dr. Brian Ross, Faculty of Medicine, West Campus, Prebiotic beer development, $14,000.  Project undertaken in partnership with Sleeping Giant Brewing Company.  Dr. Lada Malek, Department of Biology is also collaborating on the project.

Interaction Grants (up to three months)

• Dr. Justin Jiang, Department of Chemistry, Identification of collaborative research projects in discovering novel anti-infectious agents, $1,880.
  
  
• Dr. Wensheng Qin, Department of Biology, Algal wastewater treatment and biodiesel production, $3,225.
  
  
• Dr. Wilson Wang, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prognosis of dynamic properties of rod materials, $4,600.

• Dr. Wensheng Qin, Department of Biology, Genetically modified Trichoderma reesei strains for xylitol production, $4,920.

PromoScience Grants (grants of up to three years)

• Dr. Christopher Murray, Interdisciplinary Studies/Physics, EcoReach, $20,250.  Co-applicants:  Thamara Laredo, Interdisciplinary Studies/Chemistry, Maria Grazia Viola Interdisciplinary Studies/Math, and Rosario Turvey, Interdisciplinary Studies/Geography.
  
  
• Dr. Heidi Schraft, Department of Biology, BioTrek: biotechnology outreach for remote and underserved communities, $16,700. Co-applicants:  Dr. Nandakumar Kanavillil, Interdisciplinary Studies/Biology, Dr. Sreekumari Kurissery, Interdisciplinary Studies/Biology.  

Graduate Student Awards

Master's Students - Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships (one-year awards worth $17,500)

• Joseph Tassone, Chemistry, Hemilability of Novel, Anionic [P,N]-Hybrid Ligands in Zwitterionic Platinum Group Metal Complexes.
  
  
• Matthew MacDonald, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Stereoscopic Imaging Based Laser Guided Telethesis for Human-Computer Interfaces.

PhD Students - NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS) Program (three-year awards worth a total of $63,000)

• Oleksandar Bubon, Chemistry and Materials Science, Amorphous selenium based Geiger-mode photosensor.
  
  
• Robert Jackson, Biotechnology, Pathogen-host transcriptome analyses of whole-genome HPV16 variants in an immune-competent three-dimensional model of human skin.
  
  
• Melissa Togtema, Biotechnology, A single domain antibody to target human papillomavirus 16 E6: Its engineering and applications.

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at 807-343-8177, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

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 1^st in Ontario and 2^nd 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.

From left to right, Dr. Brian Stevenson, John Mason, Kyle Stanfield, Christy Radbourne, Dr. David Greenwood, and Matthew Siddall participated in the Report to the Community launch in Thunder Bay.

November 13, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University’s commitment to a sustainable future took centre stage this morning.

Invited guests from Thunder Bay and the region gathered at Lakehead University to celebrate the release of the 2013-14 Annual Report, which focuses on Lakehead’s achievements in the spheres of economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

The close relationship between Lakehead University and the community was revealed by the $318 million impact of Lakehead’s operating expenditures on the City of Thunder Bay in 2013-14.

“As the president of a university committed to sustainability, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the last year and how we are transforming the world we live in,” said Dr. Brian Stevenson, Lakehead University President & Vice-Chancellor.

At the breakfast, President Stevenson interviewed, as “host” in a talk show format, Lakehead faculty, students, and supporters who are contributing to healthier communities and ecosystems.

John Mason, Project Manager – Mining Services with the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Corporation, and Kyle Stanfield, New Gold’s Director of Environment and Sustainability, discussed the importance of Lakehead University’s Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining & Exploration.

Dr. David Greenwood, Director of Lakehead’s Centre for Place and Sustainability Studies, and Christy Radbourne, Principal of Ogden Community School, described positive trends in sustainability in higher education and how education can support sustainability.

Faculty of Law student Matthew Siddall discussed why he decided to study at Lakehead University and the reason he chose law as a profession.

The event highlighted other 2013-14 accomplishments including Lakehead’s participation in the Sustainability Tracking and Rating System to rate sustainability on the Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses, and the establishment of a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies.

A Report to the Community launch was also held on November 11 at Lakehead’s Orillia campus.

Read more about the exceptional work being done by Lakehead’s researchers, students, and alumni by going to report.lakeheadu.ca.

– 30 –

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

In 2015, Lakehead University will celebrate 50 years of exceptional education. Guided by its Strategic Plan (2013-2018), Lakehead is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies.

Maclean’s 2015 University Rankings places Lakehead University 2^nd in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and 1^st among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2014, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead 2^nd in Ontario and 3^rd among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

November 13, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON

Today, Lakehead University launched Share It Forward, a new program making it easier for anyone to coordinate monthly donations for student scholarships, bursaries and more.

“Share It Forward is devoted to supporting student financial aid for scholarships recognizing academic excellence, bursaries ensuring university education is accessible to all students, in-course support for student research and field work, and supporting our dedicated student athletes,” said Dr. Brian Stevenson, President & Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University.

Deb Comuzzi, Vice-President, External Relations, explained that monthly giving is more than just a program: “It’s a way to build a culture of philanthropy at Lakehead University.”

“Share It Forward allows us to introduce the concept of ‘giving’ to our alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students, and build relationships over time,” Comuzzi added. “This allows our donors to know they are an integral part of student success at Lakehead University.”

Donors can provide monthly gifts in the amount of their choosing. Examples of monthly gifts are $25, $50, $100, $250 or $500.

A monthly gift of:

• $25 ($300 per year) provides an in-course prize for a student demonstrating academic excellence and financial need
• $50 ($600 per year) will pay for a single credit course.
• $100 ($1,200 per year) will provide a year’s worth of books, supplies and field trips for one student.
• $250 ($3,000 per year) will pay for one-third for a student’s on-campus room and board.
• $500 ($6,000 per year) will provide a year of undergraduate tuition for one student.

Enrol in Share it Forward, today, by visiting www.donate.lakeheadu.ca.

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

In 2015, Lakehead University will celebrate 50 years of exceptional education. Guided by its Strategic Plan (2013-2018), Lakehead is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies.

Maclean’s 2015 University Rankings places Lakehead University 2^nd in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and 1^st among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2014, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead 2^nd in Ontario and 3^rd among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

November 5, 2014 – Orillia, ON

Choosing a pathway to educational or job-related opportunities can be an overwhelming experience for many people. Questions like – What school should I attend? What job-related training is available? What's the cost of tuition? or How will I afford family or childcare? – can all be difficult to answer. 

Two members of Lakehead University Orillia have decided to provide some guidance and answers to these questions at a new event called, “Pathways to Somewhere,” which will take place on Monday November 17 from 5 to 7 pm at the University’s downtown Heritage Place campus.

The idea for this event came from Research Assistant and Lab Instructor Debbie Balika, who recently completed her Master of Biology degree at Lakehead. “I thought it made a lot of sense,” said Dr. Linda Rodenburg, Lakehead Orillia professor and coordinator of the Humanities 101 program. “I have met many adults through Humanities 101 who are interested in further education, but unsure about where to begin.”

As a mature student with a family when she became a student at Lakehead University, Balika says she understands the barriers to further education that many adults may be experiencing.

“It is difficult to see any pathways when you are working in survival mode just getting through each day,” said Balika.  “Like Linda, I too have met many people in the community who are seeking new pathways through education and unsure about what options are available to them.”

“What we’re offering is a free event that is aimed at helping anyone who is considering a change in their lives that could begin with education,” explained Balika.

Dr. Linda Rodenburg (l) and Debbie Balika

At the Pathways event, attendees will be able to learn about educational programs, financial opportunities, and the services of various organizations that offer free mentoring, clothing, and computers.

Participating organizations include Lakehead University, Georgian College, Marvel Beauty School, Liaison College, Contact North, RCTech, Simcoe County District School Board, Northern Lights, YMCA Entrepreneurship programs, and more.

Balika and Rodenburg are hoping the event helps people discover new options and eliminates some of the obstacles that may deter them from making a change in their lives. 

For further information about attending the event, email Rodenburg (lrodenbu@lakeheadu.ca) or Balika (dbalika@lakeheadu.ca).

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MEDIA:  For more information, please contact Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.

In 2015, Lakehead University will celebrate 50 years of exceptional education. Guided by its Strategic Plan (2013-2018), Lakehead is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies.

Maclean’s 2015 University Rankings places Lakehead University 2^nd in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and 1^st among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2014, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead 2^nd in Ontario and 3^rd among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca

Friday, October 31, 2014 – Thunder Bay & Orillia, ON

Maclean’s magazine’s 2015 University Rankings place Lakehead University second among Ontario’s primarily undergraduate universities. When compared to all Canadian universities in this category, Lakehead rose two spots from last year to rank eighth.

For the second consecutive year, Lakehead leads Ontario’s undergraduate universities in the following categories:

• Total Research Dollars
• Social Sciences and Humanities Grants
• Library Expenses

 Also for the second year in a row, Lakehead is second among Ontario’s undergraduate universities when it comes to:

• Student/faculty ratio
• Student awards
• Scholarships and bursaries
• Library acquisitions
• Operating budget
• Faculty awards
  

“Our overall improvement in the rankings reaffirms the exceptional quality of the students, faculty and staff at our Orillia and Thunder Bay campuses,” said Dr. Moira McPherson, Lakehead’s Provost & Vice-President (Academic).

“Everything we do at Lakehead is in the interest of nurturing scholarship and further enhancing the learning experience we offer our University community,” she added.

Earlier this week, Re$earch Infosource placed Lakehead University second in Ontario and third in Canada in the undergraduate university category of its annual Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities report.

Lakehead President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, said these results speak to years of hard work at the University. “I am very proud to see that our scholarship-centred initiatives, guided by our Academic and Strategic Plans, continue to foster success across the many key areas of our University.”

For the complete 2015 Maclean’s University Rankings, visit www.macleans.ca/education/introducing-the-2015-macleans-university-rankings.

For more information about Re$earch Infosource’sreport, Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities, visit www.researchinfosource.com/top50_univ.php.

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

In 2015, Lakehead University will celebrate 50 years of exceptional education. Guided by its Strategic Plan (2013-2018), Lakehead is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies.

Maclean’s 2015 University Rankings places Lakehead University 2^nd in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and 1^st among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2014, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead 2^nd in Ontario and 3^rd among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, ON

Lakehead University has been ranked in the top three Research Universities of the Year in the undergraduate category of Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities, released annually by Re$earch Infosource.
 
Re$earch Infosource ranks Lakehead second among Ontario’s undergraduate universities, and third among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

“Re$earch Infosource’s recognition of Lakehead reaffirms the upward trend our University’s research endeavours have been experiencing for years,” said President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson.

Re$earch Infosource’s 2014 Rankings continues to show how Lakehead University research has, for years, maintained an exceptional status when compared to its peer institutions in Ontario and Canada.

“This trend is significant because of how much of a direct impact university research has on regional economic development by supporting local industry, training highly qualified personnel, and offering innovative products and services,” Dr. Stevenson added.

“This recognition by Re$earch Infosource shows that Lakehead University continues to make great strides in producing high-quality research,” said Dr. Andrew Dean, Vice-President, Research, Economic Development & Innovation.

“The vast majority of our external funding is used to provide support for student research projects. The research training of the next generation of Lakehead alumni is a key part of our mission as a university,” Dr. Dean added.
 
“We are excited about this recognition because research is such an integral part of teaching and learning at Lakehead University,” said Dr. Moira McPherson, Provost & Vice-President (Academic). “It shows that the exceptional focus, drive and dedication of our faculty, students and community partners is paying off.”
 
“Lakehead demonstrates that size and location are no barrier to research excellence,” said Ron Freedman, CEO of Re$earch Infosource which compiles Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities List.

Re$earch Infosource’s ranking is based on a balanced scorecard of research inputs and outputs. Calculating the top ranked Undergraduate Research Universities of the Year involves examining several factors, such as the total amount of sponsored research funding received by Lakehead University, research intensity (total research income per full-time faculty member), research outputs based on total number of publications, publication intensity, and publication impact.

For more information about Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities, visit http://www.researchinfosource.com/top50_univ.php

Lakehead University Research Achievements in Recent Years

Lakehead University has been one of Canada’s fastest growth research-intensive universities in the undergraduate category in the last decade.  During this time, sponsored research income has grown by 128%, and the number of students enrolled in graduate studies has increased by 90%. 

In 2013, Maclean’s magazine included Lakehead among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities, in addition to the top spot in numerous research-specific areas, including first in Ontario for total research dollars and total value of Social Sciences & Humanities grants.

In 2012, Higher Education Strategy Associates named Lakehead University first in Canada for its Aboriginal studies. The same year, Lakehead research placed in Canada’s Top 10 most inventive universities according to The Impact Group.

– 30 –

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

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.  Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and Faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Science and Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education and Graduate Studies. Lakehead is among Canada’s Top 3 Research Universities in the undergraduate category (2014 Re$earch Infosource), as well as 1^st in Canada for total research dollars and total value of Social Sciences & Humanities grants (2013 MacLeans).  Visit http://www.lakeheadu.ca.

October 15, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University hosts the 10^th annual Go ENG Girl, a free event encouraging girls in grades 7 and up, and their parents to meet engineering alumna, faculty and students and enjoy hands-on activities as they learn about current programs of study and careers in engineering.

This year’s Go Eng Girl will be held at Lakehead University’s Thunder Bay campus on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 9 am to 3 pm.

At GO ENG Girl, sponsored by Ontario's 16 Faculties of Engineering & the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering (ONWiE), participants experience the creativity, imagination and teamwork involved in engineering design.

Please visit Lakehead’s Faculty of Engineering web page (http://engineering.lakeheadu.ca/) for more information. Advance registration is required. To register, please visit www.onwie.ca.

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca, or contact Heather Moynihan in the Faculty of Engineering at 766-7148 or heather.moynihan@lakeheadu.ca.

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.  Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and Faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Science and Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education and Graduate Studies. 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).  Visit http://www.lakeheadu.ca.

October 14, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON

Two evolutionary biologists from Princeton University will present The Evolution of Darwin’s Finches at Lakehead University on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 pm in UC1017.

Peter and Rosemary Grant have spent much of their lives studying finches living on one of the smallest islands in the Galápagos archipelago, 1,000 km west of South America.

Their story is perhaps the clearest evidence yet for Charles Darwin’s famous quote that “from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.”

This is a great chance to learn more about the evolution of the finches that Darwin studied during his 1835 exploration of the Galápagos Islands on the HMS Beagle.

Darwin used the opportunity to explore many of the islands where he collected biological specimens including small seed-eating finches that he took back to England. These small birds helped form Darwin’s understanding of evolution that he began to articulate in his first book, The Voyage of the Beagle.

“There is a widespread myth that evolution through natural selection is ‘just a theory,” said Dr. Douglas Morris, Biology Professor at Lakehead University. “Peter and Rosemary Grant have, perhaps more than any others, documented that natural selection is a fact.”

Darwin’s insights came full circle in 1859 when he published the “theory” of evolution in his most famous book, On the Origin of Species. Although Darwin drew on numerous examples to illustrate how gradual changes in the form and function of species could eventually create new ones, he lacked definitive proof that such species emerge by common descent from their ancestors.

“Species change through time, and often more quickly than Darwin imagined. The Grants’ story is a compelling example of how a struggle for existence manifests dramatic changes in populations through short periods of time. It is a lesson that all of us must heed as species adapt in the face of unprecedented climate and habitat change,” Dr. Morris said.

“What better way to share that message than to invite the Grants to Lakehead University? Let them present the facts, and let open minds answer whether evolution is theory.”

Everyone is welcome to attend this free public lecture. Attendees can park for free after 6 pm and will find the UC1017 lecture theatre by using the entrance at the Agora Circle.

UC1017 is located across from Security Services in Lakehead University’s University Centre.

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

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.  Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and Faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Science and Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education and Graduate Studies. 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).  Visit http://www.lakeheadu.ca.

Hundreds of students took part in the Career & Job Expo on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014.


Tuesday, October 7, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University had a successful Career & Job Expo in Thunder Bay on Tuesday with more than 500 students meeting employers at approximately 23 booths.

New this year was a booth where students could have their photo taken for their online profile.

“In today’s world, employers will look at your resume along with your LinkedIn and Facebook pages,” said Robert Perrier, Director of the Student Success Centre.

“The Career & Job Expo helps students connect with employers to explore options and improve the chances of being hired,” said Christina Buzzi, Career and Employment Specialist with Lakehead University’s Student Success Centre.

Career & Job Expo 2014 hosted a variety of local, regional and national organizations recruiting students and upcoming graduates for summer, co-op and permanent job opportunities. 

“Part of achieving success at the Career & Job Expo is being fully prepared to meet and engage with employers,” Perrier said.

“The Student Success Centre, in partnership with Lakehead’s Writing Centre, has been delivering seminars on career search and professional online profile development, as well as resume workshops and clinics to help students land the job they are seeking,” he said.

Attendees included hospitals, social service agencies, accounting firms, manufacturing companies, police services, communications companies, natural resources management organizations and more.  

According to a recent Province of Ontario survey, Lakehead’s graduate employment rates are above the provincial average. Six months after graduation, 89.4 per cent of Lakehead students found employment compared to the provincial average of 87.4 per cent. Two years after graduation, 93.6 per cent of Lakehead students were employed compared to the Ontario average of 93 per cent.

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

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.  Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and Faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Science and Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education and Graduate Studies. 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).  Visit http://www.lakeheadu.ca.

Murray Walberg

October 3, 2014 – Thunder Bay & Orillia, ON

Lakehead University’s Board of Governors welcomed its new Chair and Vice-Chair, as well as one new member, at its October 3, 2014 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM also marked the final year of service for several members of the Board.

The University’s Board of Governors passed a motion in April 2014 that Murray Walberg would assume the role of Chair at its 2014 AGM. Walberg joined the Board of Governors in 2010 and has been Vice-Chair since 2012.

“I am very pleased to continue my commitment to Lakehead University, an institution that has been critical to the prosperity of our community and Northwestern Ontario for fifty years,” said Walberg. “As its new Chair, I look forward to working with our members to further the implementation of our 2013-2018 Strategic Plan.”

Outgoing Chair Cameron Clark joined the University’s Board of Governors in June 2009, assuming the roles of Vice-Chair in 2010 and Chair in 2012.

“I’m very proud of the achievements of this Board, which have always been dependent on its strong membership,” said Clark, who will remain as a member of the Board. “I would like to thank the entire Board for its dedication to our University and for the invaluable contributions of our outgoing members, to whom I wish all the best in their future ventures.”

Board member David Tamblyn assumed the role of Vice-Chair at the October 3 AGM. Tamblyn has been a member of the Board since 2010.

Newly elected members of the Board include Maria Phipps and Ross Murray.

Board members Paul Capon, David Heroux, Robert Perrier, and Frances Picherack were renewed for additional terms.

For more information about Lakehead University’s Board of Governors, including its meeting schedule, by-laws, and member biographies, please visit www.lakeheadu.ca/about/sg/secretariat/board-governors.

OUTGOING MEMBERS:

Colin Bruce  (member, 2007-2014; Chair of Board of Governors, 2010-2012)

Andy Crooks  (member, 2007-2014)

Eric Zakrewski  (member, 2010-2014)

Christine Gottardo  (member 2009-2011, and 2013-2014)

Daniel Bacsa  (student representative member, 2012-2014) 

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

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.  Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and Faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Science and Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education and Graduate Studies. 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).  Visit http://www.lakeheadu.ca.