THUNDER BAY – NEWS – Lakehead University launched more than Research and Innovation Week at the opening ceremony held on Friday, March 3.
A joint venture between Lakehead University and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, called Radialis, was also launched, and so was the new Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research.
Radialis is partnering with the Centre for Imaging Technology Commercialization (CIMTEC), to design, manufacture, and sell advanced imaging systems from Thunder Bay.
A high-resolution Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) system for low-dose imaging of breast cancer will be the first product from Radialis.
“We launched Radialis Medical to commercialize our PEM technology and to bring it to clinical trials at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, which will help save lives and put Thunder Bay on the cutting edge of healthcare,” said Dr. Alla Reznik, Radialis’ Chief Scientific Officer.
Dr. Ian C.P. Smith, CEO of CIMTEC, said the company is proud to collaborate in this wonderful project, which will greatly improve diagnosis of breast abnormalities and lead to well-paying jobs in Thunder Bay.
Dr. Reznik is also the Canada Research Chair in Physics of Molecular Imaging, Associate Professor at Lakehead University and a Senior Scientist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.
“The development of PEM has relied on interdisciplinary collaboration and I am very thankful to my colleagues from Lakehead and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute for their help,” Dr. Reznik said.
The launch of Radialis Medical as a company is largely due to the technical, commercial, and financial contributions from CIMTEC, support from MaRS Innovation and from the NOHFC, FedNor, CEDC and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, she added.
The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research (CIER) will share space in the CASES building when construction is complete. CIER will promote and support research on innovation and entrepreneurship at Lakehead.
“We are excited to launch Research and Innovation Week while also launching Radialis and CIER,” said Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation.
“There is a lot for us to be proud of at Lakehead University. We are exceptionally proud of this new start-up venture and we’re excited about the potential of CIER,” he said.
The 12th annual Research and Innovation Week runs from March 3 to 9. It’s a chance to showcase the important work being conducted at Lakehead University by faculty members and students.
During the opening ceremony, Acting Mayor Larry Hebert proclaimed March 3 to 9 Research and Innovation Week.
Dr. Dean invited everyone to attend events during this year’s R and I Week.
“This is our chance to showcase the important research and innovation happening at Lakehead University. We hope you join us at the Intercity Shopping Centre tomorrow and for some of the exciting talks,” he said.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, March 4: 10 am to 6 pm – Lakehead University brings Research and Innovation Week to the Intercity Shopping Centre.
Sunday, March 5: 2 to 4 pm – Censorship: A Roundtable Discussion in the Brodie Street Library’s Fireside Reading Room
Monday, March 6: 7 to 9 pm – What Can We Do About Mercury in our Water? Sustainability Roundtable Discussion at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery
Wednesday, March 8
- 9 to 10:30 am – International Women’s Day Research Panel in the Faculty Lounge
- 2 to 4 pm – Should Lakehead University establish an Indigenous Research Centre? discussion in the Faculty Lounge
- 7:30 to 8:30 pm – The Search for Life Beyond Earth in Space and Time – with NASA’s Dr. James Green
For more information, please visit lakeheadu.ca/ri.
