You are now in the main content area

Dr. Tammy Eger Re-Appointed as Vice-President, Research at Laurentian University

Dr. Tammy Eger Re-Appointed as Vice-President, Research at Laurentian University

Key leader to serve a second five-year term

March 6, 2025 - Laurentian University is pleased to announce the re-appointment of Dr. Tammy Eger to the role of Vice-President, Research for a second five-year term, effective July 1, 2025. This decision reflects Dr. Eger's exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment, and remarkable achievements during her tenure.

One of Laurentian University’s most accomplished research leaders, Dr. Eger has played a pivotal role in advancing the institution’s vibrant research and innovation community. Under her leadership, Laurentian has seen tremendous success, securing significant investments from Tri-Council agencies and private industry, as well as forging impactful collaborations. During her time leading in this capacity, Laurentian University researchers faced unprecedented challenges and yet have continued to build momentum, as demonstrated by this sample of announcements from the past year:

A Full Professor in the School of Human Kinetics, Dr. Eger has a distinguished career as the inaugural Research Chair in Occupational Health and Safety (2015–2019), co-founder of the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health, and co-developer of Ontario’s first mobile occupational safety and health research lab. She has published extensively, authoring over 65 journal papers and 120 conference abstracts and presentations.

Dr. Eger’s leadership extends beyond research. Over the past five years, she has guided Laurentian University through challenging times, including leading Laurentian’s pandemic response and serving as Interim President and Vice-Chancellor in late 2022. Her ability to lead with empathy, resilience, and dedication has left a profound impact on the institution.

“It is a privilege to continue to serve Laurentian University in this role”, said Dr. Eger. “I look forward to working with our faculty, staff, students, and research partners to implement the University’s 2025-2030 Strategic Research Plan. Whether addressing regional concerns or tackling global challenges, Laurentian researchers are making an impact through discovery, innovation and talent development”.

Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Lynn Wells, praised Dr. Eger's contributions: “Dr. Eger has been an exemplary leader who has advanced our research mission and strengthened our role as a hub for innovation. She has provided Laurentian with so much more than her portfolio would lead you to believe and was instrumental in my own on-boarding process. Her re-appointment ensures continuity and vision as we continue to grow as an institution.”

Dr. Eger's re-appointment signals Laurentian University's enduring commitment to fostering research excellence and its mission to serve as a cornerstone of innovation in Northern Ontario and beyond.

Laurentian University Celebrates Innovation and Discovery During Research Week 2025

Laurentian University Celebrates Innovation and Discovery During Research Week 2025

Research Week 2025 taking place from February 24 to 28

February 24, 2025 - Research Week 2025 features a dynamic lineup of events designed to highlight the breadth and depth of research taking place at Laurentian University. Attendees will learn about groundbreaking work across disciplines from the researchers themselves in an exciting celebration of discovery, creativity, and academia.

The week started off strong with the announcement of three new research fellowships at the Opening Ceremony this morning. These fellowships recognized outstanding scholars advancing research in key areas:

  • Fellowship to advance research in the Faculty of Management: Kamran Eshghi (School of Sports Administration)
  • Fellowship to advance Indigenous research: Sharlene Webkamigad (School of Indigenous Relations)
  • Fellowship to advance Francophone research: Émilie Pinard (McEwen School of Architecture)

These are the most recent in several categories of research fellowships offered at Laurentian.

“Research fellowships are a demonstration of Laurentian’s commitment to encouraging research excellence and supporting innovative scholarly pursuits,” said Dr. Tammy Eger, Vice-President, Research. “Advances in research, creativity, and scholarship happen year-round thanks to the dedication and passion of our researchers. This week is an opportunity for the entire community to come together to share knowledge, and celebrate our collective success.”

This year’s Research Week offers many new and returning events, including:

  • Voyageurs’ Innovation Challenge – A competition where teams of faculty and students pitch innovative business ideas to a panel of judges.
  • Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) and GRADFlix Competitions – Graduate students will present their research in brief but engaging formats.
  • 2024 Research Excellence Award Winner Reading – Dr. Linda Ambrose will share insights from her latest book, Pentecostal Preacher Woman: The Faith and Feminism of Bernice Gerard
  • *NEW* Planting Hope Film Screening – A special event in partnership with Science North, featuring a screening of Planting Hope in English, French, and Anishinaabemowin.
  • *NEW* 5-Minute Research Insights – A new event where faculty share their research in concise and compelling five-minute presentations.
  • Graduate Research Symposium – Showcasing the innovative work of graduate students in short interactive presentations.
  • *NEW* Pathways to Research for Undergraduate Students – A special session highlighting opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved in research, including thesis projects, summer research, and graduate school pathways.

 

The community will have many opportunities to explore diverse graduate student research. New this year, research posters will be on display in the Parker Building Atrium throughout the week and a returning favourite, Gradflix, is an entertaining showing of short videos created by student researchers to share their projects.

 

These events bring together all levels of academics to engage and explore together, building new relationships around mutual scholarly interests. Event attendees will be eligible to win amazing prizes, including gift cards, Canadian-made goods, and a Laurentian University parking pass.

 

All members of the Laurentian community are encouraged to attend Research Week events to support research excellence and celebrate innovation at Laurentian University.

Laurentian Researchers Awarded $2.2 Million in Funding

Laurentian Researchers Awarded $2.2 Million in Funding

Government and industry partners invest in a range of projects in the fields of ecology, genetics, and social sciences

October 17, 2024 - Laurentian University researchers have been awarded a total of $1.79 million from Canada’s federal research funding agencies for projects over the next five years. This significant funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), as well as significant contributions from Vale and Glencore, will enable in-depth exploration in reptile conservation, aquaculture, genetics, social work standards of practice, and marketing, further solidifying Laurentian’s commitment to innovative research that addresses pressing societal issues.

“These awards are a testament to the ingenuity and innovation of Laurentian researchers,” said Dr. Tammy Eger, Vice President, Research. “We are thankful for the investment from these funding agencies, they play a key role in advancing research in Canada. These projects will have a significant impact on our understanding of societal challenges and are vital to our future. Congratulations to all our award recipients.”

“We are excited by this collaborative opportunity, with support from our industry partners and NSERC, to take the Sudbury story of restoration to the next level – one that considers new stressors and uses new approaches – and to train students to keep this good work moving into the future,” said Dr. Jacqueline “Jackie” Litzgus, Director of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre and Jane Goodall Research Fellow in Conservation Biology, who is one of the researchers who has been awarded funding for her project.

The funding supports the following research projects:

 

● Jackie Litzgus, School of Natural Sciences: is the lead researcher on a $1.35M NSERC Alliance Grant entitled, Conservation and Restoration of Aquatic Diversity in the face of Legacy and Emerging Stressors (CRADLES). The CRADLES project, based out of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre, includes partners from several universities and $450,000 in funding support from industrial partners Vale and Glencore as well as in-kind support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Dr. Litzgus is also the recipient of an NSERC Discovery Grant of $65,000 per year for five years to support her research program entitled, Population ecology and behaviour inform the conservation of reptiles.

● Thomas Johnston, School of Natural Sciences: Awarded an NSERC Discovery Development Grant of $20,000 per year for two years to investigate the trophic niche in aquatic food webs.

● Thomas Merritt, School of Natural Sciences: Secured an NSERC Discovery Grant of $67,000 per year for five years to conduct genetic and experimental studies on stress pathways using the Drosophila melanogaster model system.

● Isabelle Côté, School of Social Work: Awarded an SSHRC Insight Grant of $105,080 for her work on integrating the concept of coercive control into professional practices addressing domestic violence.

● Kamran Eshghi, School of Sports Administration: Received an SSHRC Insight Grant of $81,715 for his project analyzing the drivers and performance of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) adoption in the retail industry.

 

Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury and Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and to the Minister of Official Languages announced this funding on October 17th, 2024, at Laurentian University. The event highlighted the importance of these research initiatives and their anticipated contributions to both academic knowledge and societal advancement.

 

Province Funds Creation of Innovation Cluster

Province Funds Creation of Innovation Cluster

Cluster to focus on critical minerals, cleantech, and battery electric technologies.

(April 21, 2023) - New funding from the Province of Ontario will grow intellectual property literacy within multiple institutions and ecosystems across Northern and rural areas of Ontario. This funding, distributed by Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON), will foster the creation of a Northern and rural innovation cluster focused on critical minerals, cleantech, and battery electric technologies. Led by Laurentian, the partnership includes Lakehead, Trent, and Nipissing Universities and will provide $294,000 for the one-year pilot project.

“This cluster will enable researchers to benefit from a variety of connections, mentors, and expertise, which will increase the velocity and impact of their innovative work. Our communities hold exceptional potential within these sectors and this funding will help us unlock that potential. It will allow businesses to strengthen their capacity to grow, enhancing economic development through collaboration,” said Dr. Tammy Eger, Vice-President of Research, Laurentian
University.

The funding will support the hiring of an Industry Liaison Officer, shared across the four institutions, to leverage IPON’s educational and commercialization resources to augment intellectual property (IP) literacy, improve connectivity between stakeholders, and facilitate economic development through industry and academic collaboration in research and innovation.

“This cluster will provide an important link not only between industry and academia but also between industry and IPON in an area identified by the province as high priority for economic development but with limited access to intellectual property service providers,” said Gisele Roberts, Director, Research and Innovation, Laurentian University.

The initiative aligns with Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy, linking research and commercialization expertise at post-secondary institutions with industry and innovation ecosystem partners to accelerate the development and adoption of new technologies.

IPON was created by the Government of Ontario in April 2022 to provide intellectual property supports and services to help businesses and researchers innovate and grow.

Laurentian University celebrates over $237,000 in Federal SSHRC grants

Laurentian University celebrates over $237,000 in Federal SSHRC grants

Funding will support research in social sciences and humanities.

(October 13, 2022) - Laurentian University researchers have received funding in amounts of over $237,000 from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Grants received support researchers in their endeavours to produce new knowledge. 

Dr. Lea Tufford, Associate Professor in the School of Social Work, received a 5-year Insight Grant to support her study, “Supporting Social Work Field Education: Developing a Model of Holistic Competition.” Insight grants support research excellence in the social sciences and humanities. Research must demonstrate originality, and be deemed a significant contribution to knowledge. 

Dr. Tammy Gaber, Associate Professor and Director of the McEwen School of Architecture and Dr. Frantz Siméon, Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work have each been awarded 2-year Insight Development Grants. Dr. Gaber’s study, “Losing Faith: Continuity and Community of Aaltos Sacred Spaces” and Dr. Frantz Siméon’s study, “Apports du réseau de proximité dans le soutien à domicile des francophones en contexte minoritaire, les leçons de l'expérience du Club amical de Sudbury en temps de pandémie,” will benefit from the funding. Insight Development Grants foster research in its early stages, enabling development of new research questions, as well as experimentation with new methods, theoretical approaches and/or ideas. 

Dr. Simon Laflamme, Full Professor in the School of Liberal Arts, has earned a 1-year Aid to Scholarly Journals Grant to support the journal, “Nouvelles perspectives en sciences sociales.” Aid to Scholarly Journal grants support Canadian scholarly dissemination by offering a contribution to enable journals to explore innovative activities as well as to help them to defray the costs associated with publishing scholarly articles, digital publishing and journal distribution on Canadian not-for-profit platforms.

“Insight, Insight Development and Aid to Scholarly Journals grants are critically important for researchers and the training of students that often work side by side with faculty to advance scholarship and knowledge dissemination. These investments from the Federal government ensure that researchers are able to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in fields of social sciences and humanities,” said Dr. Tammy Eger, Laurentian University's Vice-President, Research. “Congratulations to all recipients whose tireless research efforts help address important questions that impact lived experiences at local, national and international levels.” 

These 2022-2023 SSHRC grant recipients from Laurentian University follow the success of 2021-2022 SSHRC grant recipients. 

Earlier this year, Laurentian University also announced the participation of faculty and students in a collaborative five-year SSHRC Partnership Grant for a project of unprecedented scale in the design disciplines, “Quality in Canada’s Build Environment: Roadmaps to Equity, Social Value and Sustainability,” funded in the amount of 8.6M. 

Laurentian’s Maamwizing Indigenous Research Institute also received over $430,000 in funding from SSHRC’s Race, Gender and Diversity Initiative to support three years of Indigenous community-driven research.

Laurentian University celebrates federal NSERC Discovery Grants

Laurentian University celebrates federal NSERC Discovery Grants

Funding in amounts of $820,000 and over $470,000 will support discovery research.

(June 27, 2022) - Researchers with Laurentian University and affiliated researchers with NOSM University and Health Sciences North Research Institute have received $820,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to fund five research projects. 

The Discovery Grants Program is NSERC’s largest and longest-standing program supporting areas of research including Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Human Kinetics, Math and Computer Science, and Physics. Grants that derive from this program typically last for five years and provide the core funding for Canada’s top researchers to pursue their most promising ideas and breakthrough discoveries. An additional $470,000 was also received to support affiliated faculty conducting research in subatomic physics. 

“The Discovery Grant program is critically important for researchers in natural sciences and engineering. This investment from the Federal government will ensure researchers at Laurentian University and its affiliated partners at Health Sciences North Research Institute and the NOSM University have the resources needed to advance knowledge in areas critical to Canada, said Dr. Tammy Eger, Laurentian University's Vice-President, Research. “We are extremely proud of the grant recipients and their teams including graduate students who will have an opportunity to advance their learning through these grants.”

NSERC Discovery Grant recipients from Laurentian and its affiliates: 

  • Dr. Brent Lievers: Quantifying the nature and consequences of morphological changes in trabecular bone structural units
  • Dr. Corey Laamanen: Microalgae production of high-value antioxidants in Canada
  • Dr. Guangdong Yang: Deciphering the roles of cystathionine gamma-lyase/H2S system in Fe-S protein biogenesis and iron homeostasis
  • Dr. Sujeenthar Tharmalingam (primary appointment at NOSM University): Elucidating the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in the DNA damage response
  • Dr. Chris Verschoor (primary appointment at Health Sciences North Research Institute): Exploring how age impacts the TNF-mediated activation of monocytes

Three of the above researchers (Drs. Laamanen, Tharmalingam, and Verschoor) also received Discovery Launch Supplements, awarded to early career researchers in the first year of the Discovery Grant. 

“Laurentian University continues to push the boundaries of discovery research,” added President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Robert Haché. “We recognize the efforts of our skilled researchers who make significant investments in scientific research. Congratulations to all recipients who merit these grants and will pursue breakthrough discoveries.”

Laurentian Research highly ranked by Research Infosource

Laurentian Research highly ranked by Research Infosource

LU ranked #1 in total sponsored research income for the 5th year in a row

(February 2, 2022) - Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities were recently unveiled by Research Infosource and Laurentian University’s researchers earned the top rank for undergraduate research revenue for the fifth year in a row.

The annual rankings are based on the total amount of sponsored research income obtained in 2020. In addition to this top ranking, Laurentian University featured prominently in multiple categories including: 

  • second in graduate student research intensity (research funding per graduate student)
  • fourth in faculty research intensity (research funding per faculty member)
  • 11th in Ontario overall
  • 28th out of 50 in Canada

“I am so proud of the faculty, student scholars, and research staff at Laurentian University who are core to Laurentian’s research strengths. Throughout most of 2020, our researchers persevered through the pandemic and continued their important work despite the challenges. We acknowledge that the University underwent dramatic change in 2021, however, the knowledge generated by our researchers and opportunities provided to our graduate students will continue to be an important part of the identity of Laurentian University.” - Tammy Eger, Vice-President of Research, Laurentian University.




 

Laurentian Professor Sets Sights on Antarctic Adventure

Laurentian Professor Sets Sights on Antarctic Adventure

Dr. Tammy Eger joins around one hundred women leaders in STEM for the Homeward Bound program

Following months of preparation, Prof Tammy Eger is heading off to Antarctica on Friday, November 15 to participate in the Homeward Bound project. Eger, a Full Professor of Human Kinetics and Research Chair at the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health, is among only four Canadians selected for this fourth cohort of the program.

Homeward Bound aims to train 1,000 women leaders in STEM over the next ten years. The goal is to equip them with the tools necessary to influence policy and lead decision-making in order to help create a more sustainable future for the planet. This year’s leadership program is a 3-week journey to Antarctica focused on learning about climate change and polar science. Professor Eger will be joined by about 100 researchers in various fields from around the world, including psychiatric health researcher Hinemoa Elder, geospatial scientist Charity Mundava, and clinical researcher Pallavi Prathivadi.
 
The entire Laurentian community wholeheartedly supports the aims of the Homeward Bound wishes Prof. Eger a safe journey.

To see more about Homeward Bound, please watch this video featuring Prof. Eger.

QUOTE
Travelling to Antarctica with 99 accomplished leaders in STEM from around the world is an
incredible privilege. I am excited, humbled, curious, cautious, and overwhelmingly inspired. I know we will all be changed by the experience and I can’t wait to see the impact my cohort will have around the world. One of the mottos of the program is “Stronger Together”. I truly believe this. When we work together with all voices in the lab, at the boardroom table, writing policy, and innovating, our world will be a better place. — Tammy Eger, Homeward Bound participant

ABOUT HOMEWARD BOUND
Homeward Bound is a ground-breaking, global leadership initiative, set against the backdrop of Antarctica, which aims to heighten the influence and impact of women in making decisions that shape our planet.