safeTALK is a four-hour, in-person workshop to build skills in suicide prevention. Participants will learn how to recognize and engage with someone thinking about suicide, overcome attitudes that act as barriers to help, talk openly about suicide and connect with intervention resources for further support.

Through presentations, audiovisuals, small group discussion and scenario practice, you will learn a four-step TALK model and practical steps to help activate a suicide alert that connects people having thoughts of suicide with more specialized intervention care and relevant resources.

All participants will receive a learning booklet, resources and a certificate of completion.

Registration is required, space is limited.

Sign Up Here

June 13, 2024 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ont.

Lakehead University has once again been ranked in the top 10 per cent globally for universities making an impact through a commitment to sustainability and positive societal change, and the top-ranked university with under 10,000 students in Canada and North America.

The 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings evaluated 1,963 participating institutions worldwide according to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN’s 17 SDGs were established in 2015 as a blueprint for achieving a better, more sustainable future for all, and include goals such as no poverty, zero hunger, life on land, life below water, and partnerships focused on advancing the SDGs, among others.

Lakehead’s ranking reflects key operational initiatives, curricular programming and research projects that focus on addressing sustainability and inequality.

“Students are more often choosing where to study based on an alignment of values because they want to be part of a learning environment that is making a positive impact on local and global communities,” says Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University. “It is an honour to be recognized for Lakehead’s deep commitment to tackling some of our world’s greatest challenges. Being ranked in the top 10 per cent globally really hits home how much a university of Lakehead’s smaller size consistently exceeds expectations. This is an exceptional achievement that students, faculty and staff can all take pride in.”

THE’s Impact Rankings assess a university’s success in delivering on the UN’s 17 SDGs across the areas of research, stewardship, outreach and teaching using a range of quantitative and qualitative measures. Of the 1,963 post-secondary institutions evaluated, THE ranked Lakehead as a world leader in:

11^th in the world and 3^rd in Canada for SDG1: No Poverty. Lakehead University’s campuses are located in regions where the median income is below the provincial and national average. As one of the largest employers, post-secondary institutions and economic drivers in northwestern Ontario and Simcoe County, Lakehead University has a direct impact on the economic and social resiliency in the regions it serves. Lakehead delivers numerous supportive anti-poverty programs for students—including providing over $11 million annually in scholarships and bursaries—in addition to community-based programs such as the Ingenuity start-up assistance program to help local businesses get off the ground.

12^th in the world and 2^nd in Canada for SDG15: Life on Land. This SDG focuses on conserving life on land, including protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, and halting and reversing land degradation and biodiversity loss. Lakehead University incorporates sustainability principles into curriculum, research initiatives and campus operations to ensure the health and resilience of our ecosystems for generations to come. Students at Lakehead enjoy a range of programs that support land ecosystems through education including programs in environmental studies, natural resource management, forestry management, sustainability sciences, and more.

20^th in the world and 4^th in Canada for SDG14: Life Below Water. Healthy lakes, rivers and oceans are essential to human existence and Lakehead is a world leader in conservation and sustainable use of fresh-water ecosystems. Through strategic partnerships, Lakehead is leveraging collective expertise to drive innovation and impact marine conservation initiatives to foster environmental stewardship. Lakehead supports healthy aquatic ecosystems through community outreach programs, research initiatives, and degree programs such as undergraduate studies in water resource science.

The Impact Rankings also placed Lakehead University as 37^th in the world and 4^th in Canada for SDG6: Clean Water and Sanitation, 65^th in the world and 7^th in Canada for SDG13: Climate Action, and 84^th in the world and 11^th in Canada for SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals. Lakehead performed in the top 200 universities in the world spanning 14 of the 17 SDGs.

“Lakehead is a gem among Canada’s many university offerings for both domestic and international students,” says President Siddall. “We are a leader when it comes to building a better, more sustainable future—we have accomplished so much and have more to do as we strengthen our commitment to SDGs in our new strategic plan that is currently under development. For students who know that this kind of work is essential for our collective future, this year’s rankings solidify Lakehead as a destination of choice for anyone who is passionate about sustainability and building a hopeful future.”

Lakehead University’s two campuses are located in Thunder Bay in northwestern Ontario next to Lake Superior and the boreal forest, and in Orillia, known as Ontario’s lake country. As a leader in environmental programs, students benefit from exceptional field work and immersive learning experiences, cutting-edge laboratories, research opportunities, and have access to world-class faculty offering supportive instruction in smaller class settings.

This year’s Impact Rankings evaluated post-secondary institutions from over 125 countries including 24 Canadian universities.

To view Lakehead’s full results, visit the university’s Times Higher Education profile at: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/lakehead-university

For more information:
Media Relations
Lakehead University
mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca

June 4, 2024 – Orillia, Ont.

Lakehead University will celebrate the achievements of over 700 graduates at its Orillia campus convocation ceremonies on June 7.

“I am so proud of our graduates,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall. “Over the last four years they have experienced an unprecedented educational journey - one of extreme challenges but also immense victories. These experiences have shaped who they are today and who they will be in the world. Congratulations to the class of 2024!”

In addition to celebrating the graduating class of 2024, Lakehead will honour veteran broadcaster and journalist Valerie Pringle with an honorary degree. Steve Clarke will receive the Civitas Award for his contributions to the growth and development of the university.

“The Lakehead community is looking forward to acknowledging the life’s work of Steve Clarke and Valerie Pringle - people who have made vital contributions to their local and global communities,” said Dr. Siddall. “We look forward to hearing from our Valerie, who will share her wisdom with our graduates as they move on to the next phase of their lives.”

Honorary Degree Recipient

Valerie Pringle
Doctor of Humane Letters

Valerie Pringle enjoyed a distinguished career as a broadcaster for 50 years. She was a well-known anchor of two national news programs - Midday on CBC and Canada AM on CTV where she covered major stories of the day, from national elections and Royal weddings to space launches and the Olympics. Valerie is currently host and producer of Canada Files on PBS.

She has championed AIDS research for CANFAR, played a key role in building the Trans Canada Trail across the country, and tirelessly advocated for the treatment of mental illness, currently serving as Chair of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation.

In 2006, Valerie was honoured with the Order of Canada for her work in broadcasting and philanthropy. She received an Honorary Doctorate from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2010 and is an honorary fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.

The degree of Doctor of Humane Letters will be conferred on Friday, June 7 at 10 a.m.

Civitas Award

Steve Clarke

Steve Clarke, prominent local business leader and former mayor of Orillia, is an advocate for Lakehead University. He was engaged in strong lobbying activities for provincial government support of the Orillia Campus and the Lakehead University-Georgian College Partnership. As mayor, he consistently supported and promoted the University through his public platform. Through his business, Brewery Bay Food Co., Steve is actively involved in Lakehead’s Humanities 101 program, hosting fundraising events and providing meals for students.

Steve’s service also extends into the community, where he supports local sports teams, causes and charities. He has been recognized with the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Award; the Orillia and District Chamber of Commerce’s Strengthening Our Community Award and the Hats Off Award; the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Awards; and Orillia Citizen of the Year. Additionally, Steve and his wife Chris were named Business Person of Year. Steve and Chris have called Orillia home for over 30 years.

Steve will be recognized with the 2024 Civitas Award on Friday, June 7 at 10 a.m.

For more information, visit lakeheadu.ca/convocation.

The Research and Innovation Bulletin is distributed weekly every Tuesday by the Office of Research Services and includes information on research funding opportunities, events and workshops and updates from our funding partners.

Checkout the latest version of our Bulletin, by clicking here.

For department highlights, student and faculty success stories, and information about our programs, check out https://mailchi.mp/0fa2f73c8aff/newsletter-springsummer-term-2024-succes....

From left: Ken Noakes (Executive Director, MROO), May Remenda and Bill Latham (Director of Zone 8, MROO) at the Annual Zone 8 Meeting in Thunder Bay on May 7, 2024. Photo credit: MROO.

The Municipal Retirees Organization Ontario (MROO) has awarded $3,000 to graduate student May Remenda, who is in her final year of a Master of Social Work with a specialization in Gerontology. Under the supervision of Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller, her thesis focuses on enhancing dementia care for Indigenous residential school survivors relocated to long-term care facilities far from their communities. By advocating for culturally safer care practices, her work aims to ensure these elders are treated with dignity and kindness. 

May is the first Lakehead recipient of the MROO'S Targeted Scholarship Program. In 2024, the MROO signed an agreement with Lakehead to become their second partner school in the new Targeted Scholarship Program. 

Read the full interview with May at https://www.mroo.org/en/whats-happening/targeted-scholarship-recipient-2....

Around the world, individuals and groups are rallying to draw attention to the climate emergency. Curated by Dr. Pauline Sameshima, professor in the Faculty of Education, and Robin Faye, One Cell, The World is a research-art catalogue on climate action from the Lakehead Galleries featuring essays, poetry, art, videos, music, and more, from diverse communities on the climate crisis.

One Cell, The World includes a keynote speech by Seth Klein on how we might mobilize climate action at a university level and essays as diverse as the role of salt in bio alcohols, to native species gardening. Select artworks respond to the floods in British Columbia, water resources in Lake Superior, and ocean surges in Ayetoro, Nigeria. A cello piece was created using NASA global climate data.

Local and international, the selected works demonstrate the possibilities for what climate action can look like. They contain insights and inspiration for climate activists, artists, educators, and policy makers; as well as for all those who care about the planet.

Reviews:

One Cell, the World highlights how arts through research can beautifully raise awareness of climate change and social justice. -- Dr. Andrew Dean, Lakehead University Vice-President Research and Innovation

I like it! A lot! Curriculum specialists need ways to re-form the mind with the languages of the body and the heart. This book invites that work with mind-bending beauty. I just want to gaze more deeply into it. -- Dr. David Greenwood, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Education (2010-2020), Lakehead University

It is inspiring to see in this work the tremendous potential of the arts to express such poignant and ingenious responses to the climate crisis. It is also inspiring to sense such heartfelt and passionate care for our planet. -- Dr. Benjamin Bolden, UNESCO Chair in Arts and Learning

This book of many voices calls into sight the compassionate climate healing we seek with compelling focus on the urgency. Chosen change is first imagined. -- Heather McLeod, podcaster of Something Different This Way Comes, Thunder Bay, Ontario

This book invites us to reflect on the interconnectedness of the climate crisis through a variety of perspectives, centring us back into humility, reciprocity, and oneness. Through the lens of artists, activists, and actions this collection left me feeling grateful and hopeful for our future and reminded of the vastness of solutions that are before us. --Madison Dyck, Activist, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Strengthening emotional connections to our natural surroundings and other beings has never been more critical. As the climate crisis continues to mount, we must come to terms with a lot of complex feelings (e.g., fear, anxiety, guilt)—and we can’t do it alone. For all these reasons and more, we need art. When I look at the collection of artworks in this catalogue, I feel a sense of hope and inspiration, that we’re all in this together. These artworks not only stimulate critical thinking around climate issues, but also illustrate how art can be a catalyst for real and enduring change. I am excited to bring this collection into my classroom! -- Dr. Tiina Kukkonen, Assistant Professor of Visual Arts Education, Arts Research Collective, Queens University

This book makes me stop and pause for reflection. The climate crises are changing our psyches. I am moved by the depth of emotions evident in the artistic expressions and the ideas that emerge. There are connections on many levels. -- Graham Saunders, Climatologist, Lakehead University

More information can be found here. One Cell, The World is also available through local and online bookstores.

Thunder Bay, Ont.

It was the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when Arshea Amer began her Lakehead journey.

“I realized that the opportunity Lakehead would offer in terms of research and volunteering, and the ability to be involved in the community, would be different than if I chose to go somewhere else,” she recalls.

Today, Arshea is the proud recipient of this year’s Robert Poulin Award, an honour presented to a full-time Lakehead University student for outstanding citizenship.

It was here that she found her passion for helping others, particularly through her volunteer work at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) during the height of the pandemic.

“I volunteered at the hospital because I wanted to gain a deeper perspective on health issues in the North,” Arshea says. “It opened my eyes to the diverse experiences of people travelling from different communities to receive care. Being part of their journey to getting the help they needed was incredibly special.”

Her role at the hospital involved screening patients, guiding them to their appointments, and providing much-needed comfort during a challenging time. The experience inspired her to seek other volunteer opportunities, both within the community and at Lakehead.

“I feel as though Thunder Bay is my home, it's the place I've stayed in the longest out of all the places I've lived,” says Arshea, who has also called Dubai, UAE; Whitehorse, Yukon; and Toronto home. “It's given me so many opportunities in terms of academics, making friends, and so many other things that I just feel really passionate about giving back to that community.”

As a biology lab teaching assistant, she particularly enjoyed mentoring first-year students. “TAing was a unique experience for me,” she says. “I loved working with students to help them navigate their studies and explore potential career paths. It was rewarding to make a difference in someone else’s life and help make their experience a little bit brighter.”

Her passion for science and education also led her to volunteer with Superior Science, a student-run, non-profit program that sparks children’s interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). “Superior Science was such a unique and special opportunity to be advocating STEM to children and showing them how special it can be,” Arshea explains. “Generally speaking, I’m very passionate about science, so it was another way for me to share that with everybody else. And, you get to learn from the children themselves. They say things and they ask questions that you might not have thought of either.”

Arshea has made many contributions during her four years at Lakehead – to the University and the community of Thunder Bay.

In addition to her work with Superior Science and the TBRHSC, she has been an executive member of the Lakehead Association for Biology Students and the premedical club (LUPMS); volunteered with student accessibility services and orientation; and advocated for local youth as a member of federal Minister of Indigenous Services Patti Hajdu’s youth council. She has also held undergraduate student research positions with the departments of Health Sciences, Biology, and Chemistry.

On May 30, 2024, Arshea graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology. She plans to pursue a career in medicine and hopes to one day work as a physician.

Since 1952, Lakehead University has presented the Robert Poulin Award annually to a full-time student selected by their fellows, faculty, and administration, for contributing most to the welfare of the University through student activities.

Lakehead named the Robert Poulin Award after an outstanding forestry graduate from the Lakehead Technical Institute who died at the age of 20 due to a workplace accident.

By Tracey Skehan

Convocation is a joyous and transformational event that brings together students, family, and faculty. This year, however, it will be an even more meaningful occasion at Lakehead University.

Dr. Gillian Siddall will be presiding over her first graduation ceremonies as president and vice-chancellor and she will be wearing new convocation regalia—a robe, hat, and two sashes that acknowledge and celebrate the Indigenous communities and the Indigenous lands that Lakehead University stands upon.

She will also be wearing the regalia during her presidential installation ceremony at Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay) on May 29, 2024, and at a reception in Orillia on June 6, 2024.

“When I took on the role of president last July, I began thinking about how to design the ceremony in a way that would include a profound acknowledgement that Lakehead University’s campuses reside on the traditional lands of Fort William First Nation in Thunder Bay and the Three Fires Confederacy in Simcoe County,” Dr. Siddall says.

Three exceptional artists were commissioned to make the convocation regalia, and we are proud to share the stories of their creation.

Convocation Robe and Hat

Fashion designer Beverli Barnes has been producing stunning clothing for over 40 years. “Custom design has always been my passion,” she says. Since the 1990s, Beverli has been a leader in reimagining and reinventing the robes worn by lawyers, judges, and university officials.

The process of designing a full-length convocation robe for Dr. Siddall was an exciting project, and her second collaboration with Dr. Siddall—in 2018, Beverli designed the convocation robe Dr. Siddall wore when she was President and Vice-Chancellor of the Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

“Dr. Siddall was the first person I’ve worked with to incorporate Indigenous art into convocation robes—she’s a pioneer,” Beverli says. “Before then, the regalia was very stuffy and conventional.”

Dr. Siddall’s new robe is made of vibrant blue silk with black linen panels and silver piping. Indigenous artists Melissa Benson and Daanis Pelletier were chosen to make beaded sashes—one for Thunder Bay campus ceremonies and one for Orillia campus ceremonies—to be worn over the robe.

Beverli also had thistle-embossed buttons sewn on the sleeves of the robe and designed a beautiful hat with a thistle pattern embroidered around the rim to represent Dr. Siddall’s Scottish heritage. “The sashes are pieces of art,” Beverli says, “and working collaboratively with universities and Indigenous artists is a great honour for me.”

The Orillia Sash

Melissa Benson, a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, has created the beaded sash that Dr. Siddall will wear for the convocation ceremonies at Lakehead Orillia.

“Beading is a visual representation of who we are, where we come from, our medicines, and how we connect to nature,” Melissa explains. “My mom passed beading down to me, and I bead as a way of storytelling and to educate people about Ojibwe culture.”

“Traditionally, we use seed beads,” she says, “but I used cut-glass beads to make the sash more sparkly.” It took Melissa well over 120 hours to complete the sash, which features floral imagery including Ontario’s provincial flower, the trillium, to represent Lakehead’s location, and a maple leaf to represent our ecological and spiritual relationship to the land. The Lakehead logo is positioned at the heart of the sash, while bees were added because of “their importance to our ecological system and because they symbolize focus, hard work, teamwork, generosity, and prosperity.”

There’s also a flower bud on the sash that has a special significance for Lakehead.

“It symbolizes how each student begins before gradually growing and blossoming as they move through their programs.”

Melissa believes that bringing Indigenous art into Lakehead’s convocation ceremonies “is a beautiful way to show truth and reconciliation with Indigenous groups in Canada.”

The Thunder Bay Sash

The sash for the Lakehead Thunder Bay convocation ceremonies has been created by Anishinaabe advocate Daanis Pelletier (she/her) from Fort William First Nation.

“I wanted to connect the communities of Fort William and Thunder Bay using traditional Ojibwe beadwork focused on the plants and living things of these two places,” Daanis says.

The sash is beaded with imagery including ferns, blueberries, strawberry plants, and maple leaves, which represent Fort William Nation’s maple syrup-making tradition. The Lakehead University and Fort William First Nation logos appear at the bottom of the left and right sides, respectively, of the sash.

Daanis, like Melissa, learned beading from her talented artist mother. Today, Daanis is not only a master of beadwork—she’s also a Lakehead student studying Indigenous learning and philosophy with a minor in music.

“My mom attended Lakehead in the same program that I’m in,” Daanis says, “so I spent a lot of time on the Thunder Bay campus when I was eight or nine. She wasn’t able to finish her degree, so I want to complete mine as a tribute to her.”

“As a student and a member of the communities whose land Lakehead is on, it was empowering to make this sash,” Daanis adds. “There are many accomplished Indigenous artists, but not all of them are given opportunities to shine.”

May 27, 2024 – Thunder Bay, Ont.

Lakehead University will celebrate the achievements of over 1,900 graduates at its Thunder Bay campus convocation ceremonies on May 30 and 31.

“I am so proud of our graduates,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall. “Over the last four years they have experienced an unprecedented educational journey - one of extreme challenges but also immense victories. These experiences have shaped who they are today and who they will be in the world. Congratulations to the class of 2024!”

In addition to celebrating the graduating class of 2024, Lakehead will honour five exceptional individuals for their significant contributions to their fields and communities.

Rosie Mosquito, Dr. Samantha Nutt and Patricia Ningewance Nadeau will each be conferred an honorary degree for their extraordinary achievements and remarkable service. Murray Walberg and Dr. Jaroslav Kotalik will each be named a Fellow of the University for their unique contributions to the growth and development of the university.

“The Lakehead community is looking forward to acknowledging the life’s work of this year’s honorary degree recipients and fellows - people who have made vital contributions to their local and global communities,” said Dr. Siddall. “We look forward to hearing from our honorary degree recipients, who will share their wisdom with our graduates as they move on to the next phase of their lives.”

Honorary Degree Recipients

Rosie Mosquito
Doctor of Humane Letters

A proud member of the Bearskin Lake First Nation, Rosie has devoted her life to community development, political advocacy, and the advancement of Indigenous rights. She was the first female chief in the western part of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) in 1986, marking a milestone in Indigenous leadership.

Throughout her career, Rosie navigated the intricacies of government, leveraging her expertise to champion Indigenous causes. Notably, Rosie served as the Executive Director of NAN from 1994 to 1996. She held pivotal roles, including Senior Policy Advisor to the Ontario Regional Chief and Executive Director of NAN's Oshki Wenjack Education Training Institute from 2004 to 2018.

She actively participates in NAN, Chiefs of Ontario and the Assembly of First Nations, advocating for legislative and policy reforms and community empowerment. One of Rosie's proudest achievements is the passing of the Indigenous Institutes Act 2017 that was negotiated during the nine years she was the Chair of the Indigenous Institute Consortium.

The degree of Doctor of Humane Letters will be conferred on Thursday, May 30 at the 9 a.m. ceremony. 

Dr. Samantha Nutt
Doctor of Humane Letters

Dr. Samantha Nutt is an award-winning humanitarian, bestselling author and the Founder and President of War Child USA and War Child Canada. For over two decades, she has worked with children and their families at the frontline of many of the world’s major crises - from Iraq to Afghanistan, Somalia to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone to Darfur, Sudan. A leading authority on public health, war, international aid and foreign policy, Dr. Nutt is a highly acclaimed public speaker in North America.

Dr. Nutt is a staff physician at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto.  A recipient of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honour, Dr. Nutt’s international work has benefited millions of war-affected children globally.

The degree of Dr. Nutt will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters will be conferred on Thursday, May 30 at the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Patricia Ningewance Nadeau (Waabibizhikiikwe)
Doctor of Humane Letters

Waabibizhikiikwe is Bear Clan from Lac Seul First Nation and a residential school survivor. She is a translator, Ojibwe author, and teacher. Her company, Mazinaate, has been publishing Indigenous language books and resources since 1998 - a total of 15 titles in all. An assistant professor at the University of Manitoba, she is actively involved in promoting and preserving the Ojibwe language.

Her grandson Aandeg Muldrew speaks and teaches Ojibwe. Her son Maeengan Linklater is a director of operations at Dakota Ojibwe Tribal Council and is a producer of the Ojibwe language versioning for the Star Wars film “A New Hope”. Her husband Ron Nadeau is a former lawyer who is a future fluent speaker of Ojibwe. She was honoured with the Order of Canada in 2022.

The degree of Doctor of Humane Letters will be conferred on Friday, May 31 at the 9 a.m. ceremony.

Fellow

Murray Walberg

Murray Walberg has been an ambassador for Lakehead University for more than 20 years, including his time as a member of the Board of Governors (2010-2018) during which he spent two years as Chair. Murray’s dedication has been pivotal to making Lakehead a strong and vibrant institution—from his most recent efforts shaping the University’s future capital campaign to supporting student scholarships and learning to successfully championing the internationalization of the University. 

A 35 year veteran of RBC, he has had the opportunity to dedicate himself in a variety of roles and businesses. He has facilitated a relationship between RBC and Lakehead that includes the creation of the innovative RBC Work Integrated Learning program for students. Murray is committed to helping communities prosper and he’s been active with many Northwestern Ontario organizations and boards including the United Way, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Synergy North, the Thunder Bay International Airport Authority, NOSM and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre.

The title of Fellow of the University will be bestowed on Thursday, May 30 at 9 a.m.

Dr. Jaroslav Kotalik, MD, M.A, DMRT, FRCPC

Dr. Jaro Kotalik is a physician-bioethicist, chair and founding director of the Centre for Health Care Ethics at Lakehead University. His experience as a practicing oncologist and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Centre informed his vision to establish a firm grounding in healthcare ethics in Thunder Bay and the region's academic and healthcare institutions. The Centre's continued growth, with its 25 institutional members; its expanding research and education; and two bioethicists serving our area testify to a vision fulfilled.

Dr. Kotalik, who is also a professor at NOSM University, has been influential beyond Northwestern Ontario. He was a member of the Biomedical Ethics Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and the National Council for Ethics in Human Research. He has been a bioethics consultant to many organizations, including Health Canada and the Swiss National Bioethics Committee. He is a prolific author of scientific papers and a co-editor of the groundbreaking book, "Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada: Key Multidisciplinary Perspectives" (2023), the first comprehensive examination of this program.

The title of Fellow of the University will be bestowed on Thursday, May 30 at 2 p.m.

For more information, visit lakeheadu.ca/convocation.