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Laurentian Caps Off Another Successful Research Week With Awards Ceremony

Laurentian Caps Off Another Successful Research Week With Awards Ceremony

(March 2, 2020) After a busy and fun Research Week, Laurentian University recognized some of our own with an awards gala celebrating some of the brightest of the many bright lights in our community. 

Innovation Award
Dr. Nancy Young is the recipient of this year’s edition of the Innovation Award. Director of the School of Rural and Northern Health, as well as Research Chair in Rural and Northern Children's Health, Professor Young has been fighting to improve the lives of children around the world. Recently, the federal government granted $1.5 million to I aM Well, an Indigenous youth mental health program co-created by Professor Young. The Laurentian University Innovation Award received by Dr. Young is given to faculty members whose research has resulted in an innovative technology, process or product that benefits both the university community and society at large.

The Research Excellence Award 
Congratulations to Alain Doom, director of Laurentian University’s Theatre Program. Prof. Doom is a published author, award-winning educator, and playwright. His most recent work, Le Club des éphémères, will be performed at Sudbury’s Théâtre du Nouvel Ontario this month. The Research Excellence Award is given to people who have demonstrated remarkable research performance in one or several areas of research in the past five calendar years; his research has enhanced the prestige and reputation of Laurentian University. Prof. Doom will be featured in a special guest lecture during Research Week 2021.

Click here for a list of Research Week 2020 highlights

QUOTE
“Congratulations to the Office of Research Services, the Office of the Vice President Research, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies for making Research Week a great success. We have a lot to celebrate. I want to thank everyone involved for their contributions to the growth of this institution, and I look forward to seeing the trails they continue to blaze in the future.” Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University
 

Students Shine During The Fourth Annual Goodman Gold Challenge

Students Shine During The Fourth Annual Goodman Gold Challenge

A realistic and unique mining investment case competition gave students a taste of valuable practical experience

SUDBURY, Ont. (February 24, 2020) - Mining students from far and wide descended on Sudbury earlier this month for the annual Goodman Gold Challenge (GGC). A unique and realistic mining investment case competition, the participants came from seven different universities across Canada. The teams were tasked with evaluating business cases made by three companies, and justifying which would make the best investment.

Organized by the Goodman School of Mines at Laurentian University, Kinross Gold had the honour of presenting the event as the title sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. Three gold mining companies, namely Lundin Gold, Maritime Resources and Marathon Gold Corporation, vied for the competitors’ favour.

The students put the companies through their paces over a two-day period. Things kicked into high gear on Friday the 7th of February, as the CEOs from each company took turns pitching themselves as the ideal investment to the assembled students. Each team then met the CEOs individually for 10 minutes in a one-on-one session. Students peppered the CEOs with a mix of hard-hitting questions and requests for hard data to help determine the winner.

These valuable exchanges with industry experts continued after the initial meetings. Gold-level GGC sponsors, including Canaccord Genuity, Dundee Corporation, Kinross Gold, Nighthawk Gold Corp., Orix Geoscience, Osisko Mining, RBC Capital Markets, Technica Mining and Wesdome, sent executives to judge the competition. The teams got to meet these judges for additional one-on-one sessions where they could receive guidance, feedback and ask questions from these highly experienced individuals.

The teams laboured late into the night on Friday, perfecting their presentations for the following day. On Saturday, the eight, the teams were split up into three leagues; the top team from each league then advanced to the final round of presentations.

During Saturday night’s awards gala, INV Metals Chairman Terry MacGibbon gave a rousing presentation on green mining. As a 2018 Canadian Mining Hall of Fame inductee, this was a cause close to Mr. MacGibbon’s heart.

The top three teams for the 2020 Goodman Gold Challenge were McGill University, University of British Columbia, and the University of Manitoba. However, there can be only one winner, and this year it was the University of British Columbia; their solid, in-depth analysis of Marathon Gold Corporation set them over the edge. For their efforts, the team went home with the cash equivalent of four ounces of gold.

“A big congratulation goes to the University of British Columbia, winners of the 4th Annual Goodman Gold Challenge and another congratulation to all of the participants whose hard work and presentations humbled those of us who have spent many years in the investment business. The students never fail to impress me and this year was no exception. It gives me great comfort to know that any financial problems of the future will be in great hands with this next generation”, said Jonathan Goodman, Chairman of the Goodman Gold Challenge and Chairman and CEO of Dundee Corporation.

This learning experience would not be possible without the generous financial and in-kind support from industry partners: title sponsor Kinross Gold, opening gala sponsor Dundee Corporation, Thursday Evening Social sponsor Canaccord Genuity. We also thank XPS Expert Process Solutions and Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations for sponsoring lunch, PDAC for sponsoring snacks, and the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation for sponsoring the gold coins that were given to all teams. Norcat provided mine tours during the packed three-day experience. Lundin Gold, Marathon Gold Corporation, and Maritime Resources were the case company sponsors. Last but definitely not least, we thank the Gold Sponsors who judged the competition: Kinross Gold, Nighthawk Gold Corp., Dundee Corporation, Canaccord Genuity, Orix Geoscience, Technica Mining, Osisko Mining, Wesdome and RBC Capital Markets.

The Goodman Gold Challenge organizing committee would also like to thank all of the teams that traveled across the country to participate in this year's competition. The teams that participated were: University of British Columbia, McGill University, University of Manitoba, Laurentian University, Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University, The Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining from Queens University, and York University.

Laurentian, United Steelworkers Canada Team Up to Honour Sudbury-born Labour Leader

Laurentian, United Steelworkers Canada Team Up to Honour Sudbury-born Labour Leader

New Leo Gerard Legacy Fund will establish a scholarship, lecture series on workers’ issues

(February 21, 2020) Laurentian University is pleased to announce the creation of the Leo Gerard Legacy Fund, thanks to a generous financial contribution from United Steelworkers Canada and the Sudbury and District Labour Council.

This $33,500 pledge will go towards two major new initiatives:

  • the biennial Leo Gerard Lecture on Workplace and Labour Studies, a series of presentations which will be free and open to the public
  • a scholarship for students enrolled in the Workplace and Labour Studies program

This gift serves to commemorate Leo Gerard’s lifelong commitment to fighting for working families and labour rights around the world. 

“I am humbled to be honoured by the contributions made to this fund in my name,” Mr. Gerard said. “The fund, designed to recognize and support students in the Workplace and Labour Studies program, will develop future leaders in labour rights through teaching, research, and community outreach.” 

Various bodies of United Steelworkers Canada helped make the fund a reality, including the National Office, District 6, and Locals 6500 and 2020.

“We are pleased to assist the University in bringing forward the next generation of labour leaders and to help provide the tools, training, and opportunities they will need to succeed,” said Ken Neumann, National Director of United Steelworkers Canada.

Mr. Gerard spent most of his formative years in Sudbury, obtaining both a bachelor's degree and honorary doctorate from Laurentian University. Dr. John Peters, Associate Professor in the Workplace and Labour Studies Program at the School of Northern and Community Studies, is grateful to see Mr Gerard’s name associated with initiatives which will train the next generation of labour leaders at his alma mater.

“The donation is greatly appreciated,” said Dr. Peters. “It will enable more of our students to graduate with work experience, and apply their skills to real-life problems. Laurentian’s Workplace and Labour Studies program has long been a major proponent of experiential learning, with the aim of producing graduates to work with unions, non-governmental organizations, governments and businesses in Canada and the United States.”
 

Laurentian University and RBC team up to give students practical, real-world training on Experiential Learning Day

Laurentian University and RBC team up to give students practical, real-world training on Experiential Learning Day

The two organizations take another concrete step in breaking the ‘no experience, no job’ cycle

(SUDBURY - February 13, 2020) For the first time ever, Laurentian University and RBC proudly team up for Experiential Learning Day on campus. The initiative, a collaborative venture supported by RBC at institutions of higher learning across Canada, has one goal in mind: set the next generation of workers on the right path by giving them practical, real-world experience.
 
To attain this goal, our students were given the opportunity to meet one-on-one with potential employers, as well as hear the knowledge of experienced professionals. Attendees had the chance to pitch their skills to companies through the RBC Backpack to Briefcase speed networking session. We also saw the launch of Ten Thousand Coffees at Laurentian; this online mentorship platform connects people for peer mentorship based on shared goals and interests. We thank the organization’s founder, Dave Wilkin, for his kind words in celebrating today’s launch.

This was also a day for Laurentian University to mark a milestone in its ongoing collaboration with RBC. We celebrate the one-year anniversary of RBC’s generous gift of $300,000 towards the university’s Career Development Plan program, while also grateful to see Ten Thousand Coffees reach our community as well. Special thanks to RBC regional vice-president Scott Simon for speaking about RBC Future Launch.

Learning never stops, and neither does our work with RBC. Other Backpack to Briefcase events will take place on March 13.


QUOTE
“We're incredibly fortunate at Laurentian University to have dedicated faculty members who embed experiential learning into their courses. We also have a number of strong partnerships with employers who help our students gain work-integrated learning experience. With generous donors like RBC Future Launch, our students continue to benefit from enhanced programming to support their experiential learning.” Rachel Meehan, Special Advisor on Leadership and Experiential Learning at Laurentian University
 

Laurentian University and Cambrian College Celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Laurentian University and Cambrian College Celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science

A packed day of events to promote inclusivity in STEMM, inspire women and girls to consider careers in STEMM fields

SUDBURY, ON (FEB 11, 2020) – Laurentian University welcomed 85 Grade Six girls and boys from Greater Sudbury-area schools yesterday in recognition of the United Nations’ International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The students experienced a packed day of demonstrations and presentations which highlighted amazing women in science and trades. 

The activities also emphasized the importance of inclusivity in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine). Women scientists and post-secondary researchers from many Sudbury institutions, including Laurentian University, Cambrian College, SNOLAB, the Go ENG Girl program, and more, led the activities. They shared their own experiences, challenges and successes in pursuing careers in STEMM while leading hands-on demonstrations for attendees.

Following the day’s activities, there was a free, public discussion at Dynamic Earth, led by Master of Ceremonies Dr. Nadia Mykytczuk. Four panelists took questions from the public on the topic of inclusivity in STEMM. The panelists were all acclaimed and highly successful women in STEMM: Dr. Tammy Eger, Dr. Jennifer Jocko, Dr. Madiha Khan, and Ashley Kirwan, MSc, PGeo. Dr. Eger also gave a visual presentation about her recent journey to Antarctica as a member of the esteemed Homeward Bound program. 

CLOSING THE GAP

The purpose of the day’s events was to promote inclusivity in STEMM, and to inspire women and girls to consider careers in STEMM fields. A significant gender gap persists in STEMM disciplines globally, despite some progress. In 2015, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted a resolution for an annual International Day to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology communities. Dr. Eger, who led Laurentian’s celebrations of the event in 2019, says it’s time for change.

“The idea is to advocate for more women to advance into leadership positions and also to look at under-represented groups in the STEMM disciplines,” said Dr. Eger. “The literature shows that by the time children reach high-school they have already made key decisions about what they want to be when they graduate. Today’s event targets Grade 6 students to give young girls some new ideas about what they can do, and young men the opportunity to see them as colleagues.”

Partners in the event included Laurentian University, Cambrian College, Science North, SNOLAB, She&Her, The Foundry, the ECHO Research Centre, the Center for Rural and Northern Health Research, the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health, the Goodman School of Mines, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, NSERC, and Laurentian University’s: Office of the VP Research, Faculty of Health, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture, Office of Francophone Affairs, and Research Coordinators Group.

Naandwechige-Gamig Wikwemikong Health Centre, LU partnership bolstered by $1.5 million federal funding

Naandwechige-Gamig Wikwemikong Health Centre, LU partnership bolstered by $1.5 million federal funding

'I aM Well,’ a program aimed at improving mental wellness among Indigenous children, will serve as a model for improving healthcare delivery far and wide

(Sudbury/Wiikwemkoong, January 8, 2020) We are thrilled to announce that the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has awarded a substantial grant to a program aimed at improving Indigenous Mental Wellness. ‘I aM Well,’ a joint initiative of both Naandwechige-Gamig Wikwemikong Health Centre and Laurentian University’s ECHO Research Centre, will receive $1.5 million dollars over the next five years. 

The program was developed with substantial input for its ultimate beneficiaries: Indigenous children and youth. It involves the use of a tablet-based survey, known as the Aboriginal Children’s Health and Well-being Measure (ACHWM), which helps children talk about their health. These data are then shared with service and healthcare providers who coordinate and improve health outcomes. 

The ACHWM was co-created with and for Indigenous children in Canada, beginning in Wiikwemkoong Unceeded Territory in 2010; now, with this grant, they will share this holistic approach with the world. The CIHR funding will allow for the I aM Well to not just expand, but also to become adaptable to other Indigneous cultures. The aim is to aid communities around the world, particularly those in rural and remote areas with fewer resources.

A team of 19 researchers from eight universities, as well as 15 partner organizations, share in this success. This work is a tribute to the wisdom of Indigenous children and the leadership of two individuals: Research Chair Dr. Nancy L. Young, alongside Naandwechige-Gamig Health Services Director Mary Jo Wabano, were instrumental in its development and success. Chi-miigwetch to everyone involved in this partnership; we wish them continued success in their goal of strengthening Indigenous children and their communities.

QUOTES

"This is an exciting opportunity to share the knowledge gathered over the past decade of collaboration. It is indeed an honour to lead this national team with Mary Jo Wabano. We will continue to follow the guidance from communities and promote children's wellness."
Dr. Nancy L. Young, Director of the School of Rural and Northern Health and Research Chair

“I want to congratulate Dr. Young and her colleagues at the ECHO Research Centre for a decade of hard work that has led to this award. I’m excited that this partnership with the Naandwechige-gamig Wikwemikong Health Centre will promote wellness among Indigenous children and youth. Laurentian University is strongly committed to working with Indigenous communities. It’s great to see partnerships like these aligning with our Imagine 2023 Strategy, which is dedicated to Truth and Reconciliation.”
Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University

“I aM Well is an exciting program that respects our commitment to the health and well-being of our children as envisioned through the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Children’s Bill of Rights. Our number one priority is our children and this program will give us the opportunity to identify their health strengths and opportunities. It will also empower our children by giving them a voice in their own wellness assessment. I am very pleased to have this program in our community.”
Ogimaa (Chief) Duke Peltier, Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory

“It has always been my passion to listen to the voice of our children and provide each member with the opportunity to express their needs along with reducing barriers to receiving mental wellness supports.”
Mary Jo Wabano, Health Services Director, Naandwechige-Gamig Wikwemikong Health Centre

One-of-a-Kind Simulator Recreates Workplace Conditions at CROSH Open House

One-of-a-Kind Simulator Recreates Workplace Conditions at CROSH Open House

Workplace Simulator (W-SIM) can solve real-world workplace problems using work-task simulation

(DEC 4, 2019) – Laurentian University’s Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) hosted an Open House today to showcase the fully operational Workplace Simulator (W-SIM). W-SIM is the only facility of its kind in the world and can recreate almost any Northern Ontario workplace environment within a controlled laboratory setting. It integrates a robotic motion platform to simulate vibration; an environmental chamber to control temperature and humidity; a virtual reality eye-tracker to simulate workers’ surroundings; and a cardiorespiratory diagnostic system to measure human responses. This allows researchers to solve real-world workplace problems using work-task simulation.

The possible applications of the W-SIM are vast. They include developing and assessing novel technologies to manage heat stress, vibration exposure, or line-of-sight issues. It is also capable of testing an individual’s fitness for duty, working while fatigued, or understanding how workers manage situational awareness. 

Although W-SIM was developed primarily to research and solve complex workplace problems, CROSH is actively seeking out partnerships with individuals or industries outside of Laurentian University by helping them access the W-SIM for unique applications or equipment testing. 

Housed in the Cliff Fielding Building, the Workplace Simulator is a component of the Purdue Central Analytical Facility. Serving Northern Ontario, the CROSH Workplace Simulator provides state-of-the-art infrastructure for the design of research studies or service contracts. It gives clients the unique ability to simultaneously collect data, conduct experiments, make human physiological measurements, and test materials, equipment, and personnel.

QUOTES:
‘We congratulate CROSH and we gratefully acknowledge the funders whose support has been so crucial to our ambitious research program. The Workplace Simulator would not have come to fruition without the foresight and financial support from both federal (FedNor, Canadian Foundation for Innovation) and provincial groups (Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, Ontario Research Fund) in addition to internal support from Laurentian University’s Goodman School of Mines. These investments demonstrate the high degree of confidence that our leaders have in the University and in CROSH’s mandate to lead research excellence in the field of occupational safety and health.’ Robert Haché, President and Vice Chancellor of Laurentian University

“Having the ability to simulate the workplace allows researchers or industry partners to test innovative equipment solutions more extensively before testing them in the workplace environment. This benefits the company because often equipment that fails in the workplace won’t be tried a second time. It also benefits the workplace because fewer work-hours need to be committed to testing a novel application while doing day-to-day business.” Dr. Sandra Dorman, Director of the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH).

LU Researcher Publishes Groundbreaking Findings In Nature Geoscience

LU Researcher Publishes Groundbreaking Findings In Nature Geoscience

New article co-authored by Professor Alessandro Ielpi shows the delicate link between rivers, vegetation, and ultimately the air we breathe

(Dec 2, 2019) This week, Nature Geoscience released an article co-authored by Laurentian University Professor Alessandro Ielpi which could reshape the way we think about the interplay between plant life, water and the earth. 

The article, entitled 'A tenfold slowdown in river meander migration driven by plant life’, is about a data model developed by both Professor Ielpi and Professor Mathieu Lapôtre of Stanford University. This model, built from field work conducted in the Great Basin of the southwestern United States and from a compilation of satellite images depicting a number of rivers worldwide, contains many significant findings, not the least of which is the positive impacts of increased vegetation along river courses. 

Broadly speaking, the more vegetation there is along a river’s edge, the longer it will take for the river to change shape. That has tremendous impacts on the environment, including the prolonged residence, and eventual capture, of organic carbon in floodplains. The inverse is also true; the less vegetation there is, the more likely the river course will change, and therefore organic carbon will be more often exposed and oxidized, a process that releases carbon dioxide (a proven greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere.

The model has the potential to be applied to many different environments, including river plains subject to fast change in northern regions, or even beyond the realm of our planet. In fact, the researchers are confident that it could be used for future research aimed at understanding past rivers on Mars.

Click here to read the full article

QUOTES
“This is another example of top-quality research conducted at Laurentian University. This work by Dr. Ielpi together with a colleague from Stanford University signifies a momentous step forward in our understanding of past conditions on Earth and might be a key to understanding how vegetation affected the landscape we live in.” Osman Abou-Rabia, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture

“This study signifies a momentous step forward in our understanding of past conditions on Earth, and might be a key to understanding how vegetation - or more broadly evolved life - affected the landscape that we live in. We conclude our paper with a discussion on how the shift rate of rivers exerts a primary control on carbon budgets on Earth.” Alessandro Ielpi. Assistant Professor of Sedimentology in the Harquail School of Earth Sciences of Laurentian University

Campus Electricity Restored

Campus Electricity Restored

Power has been restored on campus. Campus food services in the Great Hall will be restored by 4:30 PM. We return to regularly scheduled classes and service hours tomorrow morning.

Laurentian University Inks Second Deal With Sault College to Improve Pathways for Indigenous Programs

Laurentian University Inks Second Deal With Sault College to Improve Pathways for Indigenous Programs

Expanded partnership will allow students to efficiently move from one institution to the other

(Sault Ste. Marie, ON) November 14, 2019 – Today, Sault College and Laurentian University joined together to sign another academic agreement in support of enhanced student learning. Through this expanded partnership, eligible graduates of Sault College’s two year Social Service Worker – Indigenous Specialization (SSW-IS) program can move on to complete a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work at Laurentian University in an additional two years.

As an added benefit to learners, the Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work at Laurentian University offers flexible options, including the opportunity to complete the courses full-time on campus or part-time online. To be eligible to transfer into year three of Laurentian University’s Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work program, Sault College SSW-IS graduates must have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.0. 

This new pathway agreement further strengthens each institution’s commitment to providing an enriched, quality education as well as working together to implement the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

QUOTES
“Laurentian University is honoured to expand its existing partnership with Sault College and offer this tremendous opportunity to learners. Through this pathway, students will have expanded options for furthering their education as well as the flexibility to complete the Bachelor’s degree either online or full-time on campus. This partnership combines the strengths of both institutions to give learners a holistic educational experience that sets them up for future success. Laurentian University is continuing its work on providing a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education and this is one more way we can provide our Indigenous learners with a range of learning options while moving our institution forward in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.” Shelly Moore-Frappier, Interim Associate Vice-President Academic and Indigenous Programs, Laurentian University.

“Laurentian University is very excited to continue and expand its existing partnership with Sault College. This is one small way where we can promote the importance of Indigenous cultures, and help communities develop highly skilled employees. This initiative falls squarely within our mandate to provide Indigenous learners with as wide a range of opportunities as possible. I look forward to seeing this agreement flourish over the next few years.” Serge Demers, Interim Vice-President Academic and Provost at Laurentian University.

“Our college continues to look for ways to enhance the educational experience and provide our students with innovative ways to learn and grow. This expanded partnership complements this by giving students more options in their academic pursuits and the opportunity to build on their existing skills and knowledge to pursue a meaningful career in Indigenous Social Work. We are proud to partner with Laurentian University and look forward to our continued collaboration.” Colin Kirkwood, Vice President Academic and Research at Sault College. 

About Sault College
The vision of Sault College is to provide a transformative life experience through empowering those who study with us to think and learn in progressive, innovative ways, including those we have not yet imagined. Sault College grants Ontario College certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, graduate certificates, and degrees to its graduates. The College is the largest deliverer of apprenticeship training in all of Northern Ontario. Sault College has a significant economic impact on the community, with spin-offs in excess of $158 million. Over $1.8 million dollars in scholarships, bursaries and awards are distributed annually to students at the College. Located on the border to the United States and situated in the middle of three of the largest Great Lakes on the planet, Sault College is one of 24 publicly-funded colleges in the province of Ontario.

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