The Connector - April 2023

Welcome Back to The Connector

We are?pleased to welcome you back to the second volume of the Western Research Parks newsletter. In this issue, you'll find the latest Parks and tenant information as well as?links that may be useful?to you and your organization.

As a reminder, if you are looking to engage in collaborations or increase your connectivity within our community and partners, let us know! We?are here to help you.

Before we look at some of our latest Parks & tenant news, please see the message below from our Executive Director, Gailene Tobin VandenHeuvel.

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Since taking on the Executive Director of Western Research Parks position in July 2022, I have been continually amazed at the dedication and innovation our tenants show each day in their respective fields as they engage in work and research that is shaping the future of our region.

Our tenants are and always will be our priority at Western Research Parks. I look forward to ensuring the improvement of your workplace as we execute our strategic priorities, building upon this thriving, vibrant, and engaging community with impact. As always, my door is open to thoughts and collaborations. Please feel free to reach out at any time.

Sincerely,

Gailene

PARKS & TENANT NEWS

Welcome?PLAY'S?Semester Inc.

Welcome?our newest Western Discovery Park tenant!?This education agency helps recruit international students for study at Canadian universities and colleges.

PLAY'S Semester Inc . is?located?in?the Mogenson Centre, joining the other knowledge-based tenants in that building including? WORLDiscoveries , MRIdt Inc. , CAMH (IMHPR), and more.?

Welcome Peter Pillsworth,?Senior Manager, Facilities & Operations

We are pleased to announce that Peter Pillsworth has joined the Western Research Parks team as Senior Manager, Facilities & Operations as of April 3rd, 2023.

Coming to us from United College at the University of Waterloo, Peter is an experienced facilities leader with over 20 years of experience in facilities, purchasing, warehousing, accounting, and IT.?

Peter will be responsible for the planning, development, construction, operation, maintenance, and stewardship of all Western Research Parks buildings.

Western Continuing Studies Offering Spark Sessions

Western Continuing Studies is excited to offer Spark Sessions. These are three-hour, skills-based courses that are designed to enhance and improve your effectiveness at work and support your professional and career development.

Sessions start with coffee and networking at the Discovery Campus, followed by an interactive, skills-focused, results-driven workshop.?

If you want to keep up with the latest professional development strategies and continue to sharpen your leadership, innovation, and conflict management skills, enroll in?Spark Sessions today!

COMET Opens World's First High-Purity Arabinoxylan Dietary Fiber Production Facility

Western Discovery Park tenant COMET, the manufacturer of Arrabina? prebiotic dietary fiber, is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 28th to celebrate its new production facility in Kalundborg, Denmark.

The first-of-its-kind facility uses the company's patented upcycling process to produce high-purity arabinoxylan dietary fiber, a sought-after ingredient that previously was not commercially available. It will supply over 4 million kilograms annually of COMET's Arrabina? line of proprietary arabinoxylan dietary fiber for food, beverage, and supplement customers.

BOS Innovations - Laser Weld Cell Project Completion

Western Advanced Manufacturing Park tenant BOS Innovations Inc. , a turnkey, automation integrator, has recently finalized an L-MS (laser motion system) project. With over 25 years of experience solving complex challenges, BOS builds automation solutions for many industries, specializing in the Automotive, Resources, and Energy industries.

BOS’ L-MS’ are advanced fiber laser solutions equipped with a direct drive linear motion system with CNC motion control. Capable of up to 5-axes of coordinated motion, this precision machine offers the performance required to produce complex parts with tight tolerances.

This L-MS is used to weld EV battery plates and will be installed in an automotive manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ontario later this year.

17th Annual Capstone Competition

Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park hosted the 17th Annual Capstone Design Project Competition on Friday, March 31st where more than 50 students from the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Western University competed.?

Teams of students competing made project presentations in one of three categories: Biomass Thermochemical Conversion Processes; Carbon Dioxide Utilization and Hydrogen Production; and Chemical Production and Resource Recovery. First and second place prizes were awarded in each field.

We would like to offer our congratulations to all the students who participated in this competition and to everyone involved in this successful event!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coffee at the Collider Centre

For all tenants at Western Advanced Manufacturing Park, we would like to invite you to a coffee event on April 25th at the Collider Centre. This professional meet & greet is an opportunity to strengthen connections between colleagues within this Park.

Coffee and pastries will be provided by the Black Walnut Bakery Café.

PEOPLE OF THE PARKS

Dr. Solmaz Karamdoust

Our Western Research Parks community is made up of outstanding people excelling in their chosen disciplines. One person we’d like to highlight is Dr. Solmaz Karamdoust , a Western University PhD graduate in Polymer Chemistry and currently the managing leader of PolyAnalytik Inc. ’s research & technology division.

Dr. Karamdoust is a solutions-focused polymer chemist passionate about contributing to the development of high-quality & safe products in industrial settings. She is currently working with a cross-functional team of scientists to provide creative solutions for life sciences and industrial applications.

In addition to her leadership position at PolyAnalytik, Dr. Karamdoust is an inventor of patent applications, an author of peer-reviewed contributions, and the developer of a series of novel antibacterial wound dressings.

FEATURED SPACE

NRC Centre

We have immediate wet & dry lab space available at the NRC Centre.

If you would like to work in this building, joining the existing tenants that includes Western Continuing Studies and NRC, contact us for leasing inquiries.

FOR TENANTS

Tenant Experience Platform

Western Discovery Park tenants, don't forget to log into the Rise Tenant Experience Platform! On this app, you can find useful resources like forms for submitting work orders, meeting room & amenities bookings, and Park news & events. Log into the platform here.?

Satisfaction Survey

Keep an eye out for our 2023 tenant satisfaction survey which will be distributed within this quarter. Please take the time to complete it so we can continue to grow and improve on our thriving community.

Spring and Summer Activities

We are so excited to offer a range of activities for tenants this spring and summer. From bocce ball to euchre leagues, walking groups and outdoor yoga, please take advantage of our upcoming community events!

Winners of the leagues will be awarded a gift certificate to the Convergence Centre Black Walnut Bakery Café. Participates of the Walking Group and Outdoor Yoga will be entered into a random draw for a gift certificate to the Convergence Centre Black Walnut Bakery Café.

We hope to see everyone at the Parks participating in our social activities!

WHERE INNOVATION COMES TO LIFE

Thank you for taking the time to read the second volume of our community newsletter; we look forward to connecting again next time!