World Class Researchers and Scientists in Thunder Bay
THUNDER BAY – HEALTH – 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).
The depth of medical research, and molecular research ongoing in Thunder Bay is far greater than most people either understand or comprehend. Thunder Bay increasingly is seen as a cutting edge destination for top-ranked researchers and scientists.
Summer School Launch at TBRRI
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.
This is the fourth successful year that the Summer School on Medical Imaging has launched at the TBRRI.
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