Organization: Western Univ

Dr Michael J. Strong

Dr Michael J. Strong has been appointed the new president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) effective October 1.

G7 leaders commit to STI concerns

G7 Leaders have committed to act on key issues brought to their attention by the science, technology and innovation (STI) community, particularly around artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change. However, the US stayed away from any further climate change commitments, while Canada’s STI stakeholders are asking for action beyond signatures on a piece of paper.

Chris Dulny

PwC Canada has named Chris Dulny as its Chief Innovation Officer effective July 1. Dulny is currently a partner, National Technology Sector Leader in the accounting and consulting firm. Before that, he was partner of the Audit and Assurance Practice at PwC Canada, and he also worked in this practice at PwC UK. The alumnus…

Should university mindset about innovation evolve?

Canada’s innovation ranking over the past two decades has not improved, according to the latest OECD data. Let me express alarm in the situation as publicly funded research is an important contributor to innovation.

TD acquires Toronto AI firm

TD Bank has acquired Layer 6 Inc, a Toronto-based artificial intelligence firm, for an undisclosed amount. The bank said its latest investment is part of a transformation strategy to deliver personalized customer experience. Layer 6 offers an AI platform to financial institutions and e-commerce for prediction and personalization. Layer 6 is co-founded by co-CEOs Tomi Poutanen…

AvidBiologics completes VC financing round

Toronto-based AvidBiologics Inc has closed a financing round to move its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technologies into clinical trials. The privately held firm — a 2011 spinout from YM BioSciences Inc — secured an unspecified amount of financing from Lumira Capital (lead), MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund, MaRS Innovation, Rosseau Asset Management and the company’s founding investors.…

NSERC provides $9.8 million for more CREATE grants

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) has announced $9.8 million to support the second tranche of this year’s Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE ) grants. The funding will allow the six training programs at five Ontario-based institutions to train graduate students in the skills they require to work in industry. Grants for…

Western to conduct research on natural zeolites

Western Univ has entered into a long-term collaboration with the Canadian Mining Company Inc to conduct research into the company’s zeolite deposits. Western’s Zeolitic and Nano Materials Laboratory will conduct tests and evaluate the Vancouver-based firm’s natural zeolite deposits for developing new value-added products and explore potential applications in the areas of agriculture and animal…

Investments in imaging research generate returns

A commissioned study by RTI International shows that investments in medical imaging research at four Canadian universities generated a 28% return on investment. The study — supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research —examined outcomes from $387 million in investments in facilities, equipment and research programs at McGill…