TBRRI Board Report - Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute Report
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Board
Submitted by: Michael Power, CEO, TBRRI – April 2012
MICHAEL CAMPBELL NEW DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH OPERATIONS
For the past four years, Michael Campbell has been a valuable member of the
TBRRI team, as Manager of Cyclotron and Radiopharmacy Operations. He will
continue to lead the cyclotron project in his new role as Director of Research
Operations at TBRRI where he will be responsible for the daily oversight of
administrative services, grant management, lab operations, and more. Michael
has a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Waterloo and has worked
for several years in the pharmaceutical and bio-tech industry. His unique skill set
and background will be valuable assets as he embarks on his new role.
PROVINCIAL FUNDS OF $1M SUPPORT R+D PLATFORM TO REVOLUTIONIZE
NON-INVASIVE IMAGING – XENON POLARIZER WILL HELP MOVE HP GAS MRI
FROM BENCH TO MARKET
On Friday, April 20, the Province of Ontario announced $1M in funding to
support and advance the work of Dr. Mitchell Albert, recently recruited scientist
at the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (TBRRI) and Research Chair and
Professor of Chemistry at Lakehead University. Dr. Albert is an experienced
innovator who has co-invented a powerful new diagnostic technology –
hyperpolarized (HP) gas MRI. Dr. Albert and his team are taking this
breakthrough method to the next level by developing new technology that will
improve imaging for asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary embolism, lung
and breast cancer, stroke, atherosclerosis, and diseases of the brain.
To learn more, read the full release at www.tbrri.com.
XLV DIAGNOSTICS RECEIVES NEW FINANCING FROM OICR + PARTNERS
XLV Diagnostics, a new medical imaging start-up company supported by TBRRI,
Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI), Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
(OICR), and MaRS Innovation, has received $200,000 in new financing from OICR
and the other shareholders. X-ray Light Valve (XLV) technology will improve the
quality of digital radiography with better image quality that can be manufactured
at significantly less cost than competing technologies. This unique technology
promises to meet worldwide patient need for a lower cost solution to x-ray
imaging.
GUEST SCIENTIST DELIVERS LECTURE
Robert Nishikawa, PhD, and Director of the Carl J. Vyborny Translational
Laboratory for Breat Imaging Research at the University of Chicago, gave a
scientific presentation in the ICR Discoveries Lecture Theatre on Tuesday, April
17 on Computer-Aided Diagnosis: Current Status and the Inevitable Future.
TBRRI SILVER SPONSOR OF NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR
On Tuesday April 24 and 25, at the C.J. Sanders Field House, 150 students from
Thunder Bay and the surrounding region participated in the Northwestern

Ontario Regional Science Fair. The Fair provides an important platform for
students to share their discoveries and innovations with local professional and
academic experts. TBRRI is proud to be a silver sponsor for this event.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EDUCATION COMMITTEE TOURS ICR DISCOVERIES
The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Education Committee visited the ICR
Discoveries facility on April 4 for a meeting and guided tour. This was an
important opportunity to profile TBRRI to a group that includes student service
representatives of education institutions and business sector members. The
committee fosters dialogue, promotes initiatives, and recommends and
implements strategies that create awareness and facilitate active engagement in
Thunder Bay’s educational sector.
SEARCH IS ON FOR TBRRI SUMMER RESEARCH ASSISTANT
TBRRI is looking for the next Summer Research Assistant. The successful
candidate will work closely with scientists on a medical research project during a
paid 10-week placement. Check the Careers section of the TBRRI website for
more details at www.tbrri.com. Please share this opportunity with students who
are passionate about science.