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Students turn class project into community building and charitable ventures

Students turn class project into community building and charitable ventures

Sports Administration students highlight local sports achievements and combine with alumnus for fundraiser

(December 1, 2021) - Laurentian University's School of Sports Administration consistently recruits, retains and graduates top students. Amongst their current student body include longtime best friends Tommy Vlahos and Alex Cimino. Born and raised in Sudbury, both are fourth year students who with their friend and producer, Mason Savage, founded the podcast Behind the Bench (BTB). The podcast showcases Northern Ontario talent, and started off in October 2020 as a class project in their Sports Media & Communications class. 

“We found ourselves in a cool spot - a kind of niche area where no one covered Northern Ontario athletic talent, where people are doing really amazing things,” said Cimino. Added Vlahos, “we have different guests from a wide range of sports on the show. It’s been an incredible and very fulfilling experience so far.” 

Guests to date have included professional women’s hockey player and member of Canada's National Women’s Team, Rebecca Johnston, National Hockey League players Nick Foligno (Boston Bruins) and Marcus Foligno (Minnesota Wild), and curler and Laurentian alumna, Sara Guy, who represented Northern Ontario at the 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. 

While Vlahos and Cimino are passionate about bringing attention to Northern Ontario talent via their podcast, and spoke fondly about their comedic banter on BTB, they are equally invested in charitable ventures. “This summer, we at BTB, with the matching support of local Sudbury business, Velco Machining, hosted golf matches that we called “Bench Brawls” to raise roughly $2,000 for the Hearts Playbook,” said Vlahos. This foundation strives to build stronger communities in heart health. 

BTB also recently partnered with Ottawa-based apparel line, mssn, to develop a special edition hoodie. One of the company’s founders is SPAD alumnus, Roberto Bagnato. Like BTB, mssn is dedicated to charitable efforts; 5% of their sales benefit the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa. “mssn’s primary mission is to raise awareness for youth mental health,” said Bagnato. “It’s about breaking down that stigma. COVID has especially played a toll on a lot of people’s mental health. We miss how things used to be. We miss our friends. We miss vacations. We miss everything. That’s how we at mssn came up with our business name. We came to the realization that we had something here.” While the idea to develop mssn began in March 2020, it was in June 2020 that mssn celebrated its official launch. 

Cimino, Vlahos, Savage, and Bagnato look forward to future collaborations between BTB and mssn. Explained Cimino, “we want to continue giving back to the Sudbury community, so that’s something we’re looking into for 2022.”

Tune into BTB, currently airing on a bi-weekly basis on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 
BTB can be followed on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. 
mssn can be followed on their website and Instagram. 

Special Advisor of Francophone Affairs, Roch Gallien

Special Advisor of Francophone Affairs, Roch Gallien

Memo from the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic

(November 26, 2021) We are pleased to welcome Roch Gallien to the position of Special Advisor of Francophone Affairs. He will report directly to the provost and vice-president, Academic to support operations of the Office of Francophone Affairs.

Mr. Gallien has dedicated the last five years to overseeing training for Francophone and Anglophone teachers in all of Ontario’s faculties of education as director of Standards of Practice and Accreditation with the Ontario College of Teachers.

He is a seasoned educational professional and a manager with considerable experience in minority French-Canadian school boards. For several years, he led the Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario and, previously, was superintendent of education at Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario.

Trained in Ontario to teach French, History and Political Science, he received an undergraduate degree and an Ontario Teacher’s Certificate from Laurentian University’s French-language school of education. He also holds a Master of Education in administration and school management from the University of Ottawa.

His professional development pathway led him to obtain additional basic qualifications (ABQ) in instructional leadership, language pedagogy, technology and communication.

 

Quotes

“As we seek to renew our commitment to the francophone community and give its voice the weigh and influence it deserves in shaping the future of Laurentian University, we are thrilled to have Mr. Gallien on board as we strive to provide French-speaking students from across the province, the country and the world with a postsecondary education and a student experience that is second to none. Having spent the last five years overseeing training for Francophone and Anglophone teachers in all of Ontario’s faculties of education with the Ontario College of Teachers, we believe Mr. Gallien, as a lifelong advocate for a thriving francophonie, will bring a critical eye and a fresh perspective not only to our academic offering but also to our on and off-campus programming.” – Dr. Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University

“As a graduate of Laurentian, I know first-hand what this institution has to offer and how its DNA is embedded in everything that makes our region such a vibrant, diverse and resilient place. I also appreciate the complex relationship the francophone community has with the university and the erosion of trust that has marked its recent past. As I watched from afar the events of the last few years, I feel a strong sense of duty and purpose in wanting to be part of the solution and play an active role in the transformational change that is required to make Laurentian the pride of the North once again – and to make francophones feel a ‘part entière’ of its renewal.”  - Roch Gallien

LU grad finding success in the Kontinental Hockey League

LU grad finding success in the Kontinental Hockey League

Sport and Physical Education alumni, Andrew Kacsor, now plying his trade as Head Strength & Conditioning coach for KHL team

(November 25, 2021) - Since his graduation from the Sport and Physical Education (SPED) program at Laurentian in 2013, Andrew Kacsor has become the Head Strength & Conditioning coach for the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). This career finds Kacsor working and living in Russia since 2020. 

“After graduating from Laurentian, I completed a post graduate program in Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management at the University of Guelph-Humber. Approachable Laurentian faculty members such as Dr. Patricia Pickard and Dr. Amanda Schweinbenz were instrumental in preparing me for this post graduate experience. They consistently took the time during my studies at Laurentian to support and guide me,” explained Kacsor.

Armed with his degrees, Kacsor was hired to work in his field at Paragenix Systems by Matt Nichol. He provided strength and conditioning to amateur and professional athletes alike affiliated with the Ontario Hockey League, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Hockey League, the National Basketball Association and the National Football League. 

In October 2019, Kacsor’s career took off internationally when he became Head Strength & Conditioning coach for the Kunlun Red Star (KRS) Women’s Hockey League (WHL) based out of Shenzhen, China. “In this role, I learnt about the inner workings of team dynamics, as well as how to adapt on the fly and be a constant professional. We won the WHL championship that year, making it the team’s first championship ever.”

In May 2020, Kacsor was recruited in his current position working for the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. He spoke highly of his experience in this job, and described that he’s benefited from learning the Russian tongue. “I’ve been putting a great deal of effort into learning Russian for the past year and a half, and am happy to say that I can now lead a full workout session with the majority of my instructions in Russian.” 

Said Kacsor thinking back fondly on his Laurentian student experience: “I likely would never have chosen a career in this field if I wasn’t accepted into the SPED program at Laurentian University. It’s opened so many doors for me.” 

The Laurentian community looks forward to following Kacsor’s ongoing success in his fast-paced career. Andrew can be followed on Instagram. 

Launch of the book “Les émotions : Comment mieux les expliquer – Volume 2”

Launch of the book “Les émotions : Comment mieux les expliquer – Volume 2”

Psychology research supports the development of young Francophones’ emotional understanding

(November 23, 2021) -  For the past few years, Dr. Annie Roy-Charland and Dr. Jacques Richard, of Moncton University, and Dr. Mélanie Perron, of Laurentian University, have been conducting research in the Greater Sudbury and Moncton areas to assess the impact of reading on the way children understand emotions. For this project, the researchers collaborated with author and illustrator, Émilie Myriam Roy, to develop the book Les émotions : Comment mieux les expliquer - Volume 2. 

“It is with great pleasure and a real sense of accomplishment that we present Volume 2 of the book Les émotions : Comment mieux les expliquer,” said Dr. Perron. “After several years of scientific development and assessment, we are very proud to unveil this illustrated book to the public. Not only is it enjoyable to share with children, it also serves as a tool for Francophones who want to improve the understanding of emotions, an essential skill for the healthy development of children.”

The book includes five short stories focusing on the various aspects of intermediate emotional experiences. The stories are centred on topics adapted to children aged 7 to 11 years, and some guidelines for discussion are suggested. Since reading these stories has had positive results on children’s social and educational adaptation, the researchers received funding from Health Canada for printing and publishing the book.

This volume is preceded by Volume 1, released in October 2019. Research to develop these vibrantly illustrated books first started in 2007. 

These books also benefited from the support of both the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) and Éditions Prise de Parole publishing house. 

The CNFS holds important not only the development but also the mobilization of knowledge on the health of minority Francophones communities.

 More information on these resource books and digital copies of both volumes are available on the CNFS Laurentian webpage.

 

Laurentian University students volunteer to support Sudbury Ringette Association youth

Laurentian University students volunteer to support Sudbury Ringette Association youth

LU ringette players mentor ringette youth

(November 17, 2021) - With the support of their teammates, Laurentian University students and ringette athletes, Jenna Gilchrist (Sudbury, ON) and Katie Vandeloo (Richmond Hill, ON) led a conditioning camp for the Sudbury Ringette Association’s youth. The camp was organized by Gilchrist in support of youth aged ten to sixteen. “We wanted to give back to our community and run something for ringette youth to jump back into the game. During COVID, these youth didn’t have the opportunity to play, so we ran a conditioning camp to get them back into the swing of things. We really wanted to make it a fun experience for these youth to remember why they play ringette; why they love ringette.”

Gilchrist is a recent graduate from the Biochemistry program at Laurentian. Her educational journey continues at Laurentian, as a first year M.Sc. Biology student. Vandeloo is a third year Sports Administration student at Laurentian.

The camp was well received by all attendees, according to Sudbury Ringette Association’s Treasurer, Troy McLaughlin. “Not only was it extremely generous to have these students give back their time, [but] I know there was a lot of excited anticipation among our younger players to be able to be taught and look up to these older Ringette players.” For Vandeloo, volunteering her time in support of this initiative was rewarding. “I really hope that this continues in future years. It was amazing. I didn’t want to miss a thing.” 

The Laurentian Ringette Club has expanded in recent years, and the team’s dedication to their sport is impressive. In their season’s 2019 / 2020 University Challenge Cup - a national tournament for University Ringette teams across Canada, Laurentian Ringette won bronze in their division. The preceding season, the team earned the Sportsmanship Award at their provincial championship tournament. 

Both Gilchrist and Vandeloo have high hopes for Laurentian Ringette’s future and described enthusiastically the commitment of their team. “It’s amazing how dedicated our team is this year,” said Vandeloo. “Everybody shows up. It’s so great.”

The Laurentian Ringette Club’s next series of home games occur on Saturday, November 27th at Sudbury’s Countryside arena. They play Nipissing University at 10:15am, the Timmins Tornadoes at 4:15pm, and the Sault Ste. Marie Ice Hawks at 9:15pm. They hope to see you there!

Laurentian Voyageur Rower Abbey Maillet wins Provincial Championship

Laurentian Voyageur Rower Abbey Maillet wins Provincial Championship

Sport and Physical Education student celebrates OUA gold medal win

(November 5, 2021) - Abbey Maillet of the Laurentian University Voyageurs is the gold medal winner of the OUA Rowing Championship that occurred in Welland, ON on Saturday, October 30th. A third-year Sport and Physical Education student, Maillet won the Women’s Lightweight Single with a time of 8:49.30, 5 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. “My experience at the OUA Championship to say the least was great. Representing Laurentian and winning gold met my goal which I have been working towards for some time now. I enjoyed being a part of the competitive environment.”

Maillet (Dundas, ON), started rowing at Leander Boat Club in Hamilton, shortly before entering high school. “My whole life, I’ve been very active and have participated in many rep sports,” she explained. It wasn’t long before she was recognized for her competitive edge - an edge equally matched by her passion for rowing. “I was in love with the sport right away.”

Maillet’s success at the OUA championship is preceded by other athletic accomplishments earlier this year. At the season’s opening regatta in Guelph, she was victorious as a double gold medal winner in both the Women’s Lightweight Single, and the Women’s Open Single. “What has helped me succeed is definitely the knowledge and experience from my coach, Dr. Amanda Schweinbenz. What I like most about being a Laurentian Varsity athlete is being able to represent my school with pride and respect. I have been able to create many memories as a Laurentian athlete and enjoy the beauty of Sudbury and Ramsey Lake.” 

Dr. Schweinbenz recognizes Maillet for her excellence as a dedicated athlete. "Abbey is a great young woman with a fantastic work ethic. Throughout the pandemic she has worked tirelessly on improving her fitness, technique and her tactical approach to racing.”

After winning the gold medal of the OUA Rowing Championship in Welland, ON on October 30, third-year Sport and Physical Education student, Abbey Maillet, won bronze in the Women's Lightweight Single at the Canadian University Rowing Championship hosted by Brock University, November 6 and 7. 

“Being able to compete and medal at the Canadian Unviversity Rowing Championship (CURC) was nothing but amazing! I really enjoyed the competitive environment of racing and being able to go up against some tough and fierce women in my event. Representing Laurentian University at the CURC is something I take real pride in,” said Maillet.
 
Maillet’s coach, Dr. Amanda Schweinbenz, was equally enthused to speak about Abbey’s recent athletic accomplishment. “Abbey had a great race on Sunday against a very tough competitive field. She has made a lot of progress since her first year here at Laurentian and I am excited to watch her develop over the next two years.”

Laurentian University celebrates the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration

Laurentian University celebrates the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration

Event featured launch of Environmental Remediation course, the Mineral Resources Industry Leadership Certificate and trail dedication

Thursday, October 21, Laurentian University’s Goodman School of Mines and the Vale Living with Lakes Centre held an official kick-off event in celebration of the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.

Launched by the United Nations General Assembly, the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration is an initiative that aims to support global efforts to protect and restore ecosystems and halt climate change.

“The Sudbury Story reminds us that for more than 60 years, Laurentian has been at the crossroads of culture, industry, art, science, and politics, growing from a humble and small institution to become one of Northern Ontario’s foremost universities.” said Dr. Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University.

The importance of this occasion highlights Sudbury’s ongoing role as a model of restoration. The Vale Living with Lakes Centre and Goodman School of Mines have captured this with the launch of the “Environmental Remediation: Global Lessons from the Sudbury Story'' course, which examines the innovative efforts that made Sudbury the globally recognized regreened city it is today. Moreover, a new important educational initiative was launched by the Goodman School of Mines this September with  the Mineral Resources Industry Leadership Certificate (MRILC), which is designed to foster leadership, character development, and resource industry stewardship in individuals seeking careers in mining. The program also incorporates a mentorship component that matches students with mentors that work in the industry. Participants from this inaugural cohort of the program were able to attend the event, network, and meet their mentors for the first time in person. And finally, Dr. John Gunn, director of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre, launched Laurentian’s program of activities participating in the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, building on the incredible history of Sudbury restoration, but also highlighting the ongoing importance of environmental research and training of students in these fields. Notable words of congratulations were contributed by Dr. Jane Goodall, and the Hon. Bob Rae (UN Ambassador for Canada) acknowledging the importance of this research and community progress.

Industry sponsors for both the Environmental Remediation course and the Mineral Resources Industry Leadership Certificate attended the event to celebrate the launch of each respective program. Guests were also joined by local federal MP Viviane Lapointe, provincial MP Jamie West, and Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger.

This event was part of a number of activities that took place at Laurentian University this week in celebration of this occasion. Earlier that day, the United Nations x Student General Association (SGA) Restoration Trail and Recovery Garden grand opening also took place. A student-led initiative, inspired by the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration that saw the dedication of one of the many restored trails on the Laurentian campus. The celebrations closed with the 2021 Watershed Lecture webinar presented by the Vale Living with Lakes Centre on Friday, October 22, featuring Dr. Line Rochefort. 

 

CONTACT

For information about the Environmental Remediation course and other educational initiatives, please contact:

Dr. Nadia Mykytczuk
Interim President and CEO
MIRARCO
Acting Interim Executive Director
Goodman School of Mines
nx_mykytczuk@laurentian.ca

 

For information about the Mineral Resources Industry Leadership Certificate, please contact:

Nicole Tardif
Program Coordinator
Goodman School of Mines
ntardif@laurentian.ca

 

For information about the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, please contact:

Dr. John Gunn
Director
Vale Living with Lakes Centre
jgunn@laurentian.ca 

Laurentian University To Observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Laurentian University To Observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Community called to reconciliation in action

Sudbury, Ontario (September 28, 2021) -- On September 30th, Laurentian University will be marking the first-ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to grieve the victims and honour the survivors of residential schools. An estimated 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children were taken from their families and their communities and sent to residential schools across Canada during the 19th and 20th centuries, with the last residential school closing in 1996, the legacies of which persist to this day. On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Laurentian community will come together in the spirit of truth, action, and sincerity to face the difficult truths of what has happened to Indigenous communities of this land.

 

Laurentian students, faculty, and staff are invited to a series of activities:

  • A Sacred Fire will be held in the Wiigwaam to honour the children of residential schools. The community will be invited to offer semaanh (tobacco), mashkodewashk (sage), giizhik (cedar) and wiingashk (sweetgrass).
     
  • The community will renew and care for the Apology Cairn in Parking Lot #15, which marks the site where Indigenous communities gathered to receive the first apology by one of four churches that administered residential schools in 1986, planting Medicines such as mashkodewashk (sage) and semaanh (tobacco) and preparing the Cairn for Spring planting. Students and classrooms in particular are invited to join at 2 P.M.
     
  • In honour of the children of residential schools, missing and murdered Métis, First Nations, and Inuit women, men, girls, boys and 2SLGBTQQIA, the Laurentian community will plant a maple tree, to be planted in front of the Parker Building, near the Laurentian sign, greeting the community as they arrive.
     
  • The Laurentian community is invited to observe 2:15 minutes of silence at 2:15 p.m. in recognition of the 215 children found by Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation in May 2021, as well as the children for whom communities continue to search. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to observe these 2:15 minutes of silence wherever they might find themselves on campus or in the community.
     
  • The community is encouraged to wear orange shirts, commemorating the bright orange shirt six-year old Phyllis Webstad proudly received from her grandmother and which was taken away from her on her first day at residential school. We also encourage the community to download Zoom backgrounds that honour the children of residential schools.
     
  • In partnership with the Student General Association (SGA), the University will participate in ‘Light the Country Orange,’ illuminating the heart of Indigenous life and culture at Laurentian in orange light, including the Wiigwaam and the entrance to the Parker Building in Founder’s Square, the Round Room and the Student Centre. The idea was proposed to communities across Canada by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) based at the University of Manitoba.
     
  • Students, faculty, and staff passing through the Atrium of the Parker Building will be encouraged to speak out and write down on orange sticky notes how they are or will contribute to reconciliation efforts at Laurentian.
     
  • Laurentian is pleased to welcome guest speakers Grace Fox, Marthe Brown, and Harvey Trudeau who will share their experiences with residential schools as well as their acts of reconciliation. The discussion will take place in the Atrium at 11 A.M. 

 

Laurentian is also pleased to make the following announcements:

  • The University will announce the recipient of the Kina Binoojiinyag Gchinendaagsiwag (Every Child Matters/Chaque Enfant Compte) Scholarship established by the Indigenous Sharing & Learning Centre (ISLC). This scholarship, which prioritizes applicants studying in the field of language revitalization, recognizes Indigenous learners’ commitment to putting their education at the service of their communities.
     
  • It is with great appreciation to the Vancouver and Calgary studios of Perkins&Will Canada and KPMB Architects for their philanthropic support that Laurentian is pleased to announce its partnership with Indspire, an Indigenous organization that supports First Nations, Inuit, and Métis learners in their pursuit of education.
     
  • The partnership will create three awards to recognize Indigenous students at the Laurentian University McEwen School of Architecture. Selection criteria will focus on academic achievement, design excellence, and be based on a student’s connection to their Indigenous heritage.
     
  • In collaboration with the Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig in Sault Ste. Marie, the Laurentian University Library and Archives is honoured to announce that it has recently received official authorization by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to access and use the trial record and the trial materials of the landmark Restoule v. Canada (Attorney General) legal case in order to digitally preserve and make them available on the Internet.
     
  • Restoule v. Canada represents a step towards reconciliation by considering, partly through Anishinaabe law and governance, and granting an increase in annuity payments guaranteed to the Anishinaabe people by the 1850 Robinson Huron and Robinson Superior Treaties. 

 

The community is encouraged to tune in throughout the day on Laurentian’s social media channels for special coverage of the day’s activities. Follow Laurentian on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Laurentian thanks all participants who have committed themselves today to ensuring that the community has every opportunity to come together in a spirit of action, humility, and sincerity.

Rna Diagnostics, a Laurentian University Spinoff, Secures CDN $8 Million in Series A Financing

Rna Diagnostics, a Laurentian University Spinoff, Secures CDN $8 Million in Series A Financing

(September 22, 2021) Laurentian University and Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI) are pleased to announce that Rna Diagnostics Inc., a leading precision cancer diagnostics company created from a discovery made by HSNRI Scientist and Laurentian University Professor Dr. Amadeo Parissenti, has received an $8.0 M series A investment from iGan Partners and BDC Capital, through its Bridge Financing Program.

The discovery that chemotherapy treatment can promote RNA degradation (RNA disruption) in patient tumours was made in 2007 by Dr. Parissenti and his research associate, Dr. Baoqing Guo, in their lab at Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI).  The RNA disruption assay (RDA), patented by Laurentian University and licensed to Rna Diagnostics in 2010, determines whether a patient is responding to cancer therapy, early during treatment, independent of cancer type and cancer therapy.  RDA measures response at 5 weeks after the start of a selected regimen. The RDA cancer diagnostic technology allows oncologists to assess a selected treatment’s efficacy early during treatment, thereby enabling the tailoring of chemotherapy treatments to an individual’s response to treatment in real time. This means that if a patient’s tumor is not responding to treatment, 80% of ineffective doses and lost time can be avoided. 

Rna Diagnostics’ reference laboratory is headquartered at the Health Sciences North Research Institute in Sudbury and Dr. Parissenti continues to study the cellular mechanisms involved in RNA disruption with Drs. Carita Lanner and Tom Kovala of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in the hopes of finding additional tools to predict or monitor chemotherapy response and outcome in cancer patients.  Laurentian University and Health Sciences North Research Institute gratefully acknowledge the Clinical Trials Group of the Canadian Cancer Society and the Northern Cancer Foundation for supporting this important discovery and further validation studies.

“Laurentian University is proud to offer its congratulations to Dr. Parissenti and Rna Diagnostics Inc. on this incredible milestone, the investment will provide critical funding to complete the clinical trials and bring to market a technology that will improve cancer treatments worldwide while impacting positively on the quality of life of cancer patients,” said Laurentian University’s Vice-President, Research Tammy Eger. “A true northern innovation created by outstanding partnerships and collaboration.”

“Our institution is thrilled to host RNA Diagnostic Inc.’s reference laboratory, which is collecting and analysing samples from around the world for the BREVITY Trial,” said Greg Ross, HSN and HSNRI’s Vice-President Academic and Research Impact. “Dr. Parissenti’s leadership in this strategic research is evident through his mentorship of learners in his lab and the positive exposure to meaningful research opportunities that will help patients in our Northern communities. RNA Diagnostics Inc. is truly putting Sudbury on the map.” 

“The continued support of iGan Partners and our current investors, combined with the support of BDC Capital as a new investment partner, is exciting,” said John Connolly, President and CEO of Rna Diagnostics. “The closing of this series A financing will allow us to complete the pivotal validation trial (BREVITY) of the RNA Disruption Assay™ (RDA)™. BREVITY is currently recruiting patients at over 40 breast cancer centres in Europe and North America.”

 “This is an enormous, expensive problem for cancer centres. Typically, in solid tumors, only 30-40% of patients receive a survival benefit from a given drug regimen,” Connolly said. “Patients with nonresponsive tumours (identified by the RDA) can therefore forgo the ineffective treatment and its side-effects and moved quickly to alternate treatments”.

LU researchers awarded $50,000 to address vaccine confidence in Northern Ontario

LU researchers awarded $50,000 to address vaccine confidence in Northern Ontario

Team to visit workplaces across Northern Ontario to engage on safety and effectiveness of vaccines

August 3, 2021 - With support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), researchers and staff from the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) and the Science Communication Graduate Program will be travelling across Northern Ontario this September to enhance confidence in vaccination use with workplaces and communities.

 

Although many individuals have received their COVID-19 vaccinations, some remain hesitant and have questions. “Vaccine confidence has real implications to the health and safety of workplaces and communities,” acknowledges Dr. Chantal Barriault, Director of the Science Communication Graduate Program.

 

This $50,000 grant allows for 1) the development of evidence-based materials and resources and 2) for a team to travel to remote and northern communities to engage workers and community members in conversation around COVID-19 risk mitigation and to encourage confidence in the efficacy and safety of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

 

“Northern Ontario has a unique culture, and the concerns and questions Northern Ontarians have may not reflect the concerns of other Ontarians. Sharing and exchanging health and safety information with people living in Northern Ontario is a core mission of CROSH; we are excited to reconnect with communities and better understand their concerns and choices,” says Dr. Sandra Dorman, Director, CROSH.

 

Researchers, students, and staff from CROSH and the Science Communication Graduate Program will be traveling to interested workplaces and communities across Northern Ontario using the CROSH Mobile Research Lab, which is custom-designed to conduct occupational health and safety outreach and research.

 

Vice-President of Research, Dr. Tammy Eger says: “CROSH has over 10 years of experience connecting and engaging with Northern Ontario workplaces and communities, and Laurentian University’s Science Communication Graduate Program is world-renowned for training professional science communicators; they are ideally positioned to conduct this important work.”

 

For anyone interested in having the team visit their workplace, please contact: croshtech@laurentian.ca

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