Summer Edition
Western Research Parks
Western University's Research & Development Park: A Leading Science & Tech Park in Canada
Welcome to the seventh volume of "The Connector," Western Research Parks ' quarterly newsletter and your gateway to staying informed about our innovation-driven community.
In this summer edition, we are excited to showcase news, welcome new companies, promote?upcoming events, and share the remarkable progress achieved by our community members and partners. From highlighting innovative projects to spotlighting success stories to exploring new opportunities, "The Connector" aims to foster collaboration, connect research and industry, and provide a platform to support our community’s growth.
Thank you for your ongoing support and readership. Now, please see the following message from our Executive Director, Gailene Tobin VanDenHeuvel, PhD .
This quarter, we’re spotlighting our dedication to collaboration and connectivity, two pillars in our strategic plan driving our innovation efforts at Western Research Parks.
Over the past few months, we have continued to build an innovation district in London, Ontario,?by fostering connections within our community?and strengthening partnerships within Western University, including Morrissette Entrepreneurship ,?BioNext, Western Research (including portfolio partners Strategic Partnership and Western Innovation and Strategic Partnerships ), and the faculties of Science and Engineering. Our engagement with student groups like the Science to Business Network (S2BN) London Chapter as well as our Incoming Talent Series is nurturing the next generation of innovators.
This volume also highlights how our outreach extends locally through collaborations with the City of London, Fanshawe College, TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario , and London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) EDC), regionally through IASP North American Conference at?McMaster Innovation Park,?as well as internationally through our newly announced partnership and seminar series with Google. These connections are vital in driving local and global innovation.
Together, we are building a future where collaboration and connectivity fuel our collective success.
With warmest regards,
Gailene?
Growing Businesses Find New Homes at Western Research Parks
Western Research Parks is proud to announce the expansion of several dynamic businesses that have recently found their new home within our innovative community. This quarter, we warmly welcome JSI Advanced Therapeutics Research, OpenText Developer, Nurdanpinar Solutions for Human Performance, ATMA CENA, and The Harbour, each bringing their unique expertise and forward-thinking solutions to our thriving ecosystem.
JSI Advanced Therapeutics Research has secured lab space in our Stiller Centre, where they will be engaging in cutting-edge research-based therapeutics development. Their dedicated team aims to advance global healthcare and improve outcomes for all.
OpenText Developers , a global leader in secure information management solutions, has taken up residence at Discovery Landing in our Mogenson Centre. They bring vast expertise in transforming digital landscapes and empowering organizations to manage information securely.
Nurdanpinar Solutions for Human Performance , a leader in change and continuity management, is also at Discovery Landing. They specialize in driving transformation and fostering organizational adaptability and resilience across five key focus areas: Mindset and Culture Building, System Reinvention, Emergent Strategy Building and Doing, Human-Centric Approach, and Behavior Shift and New Habit Development.?Connect with company President & Chief Reinvention Officer, Nurdan Tokoz , to find out more.
ATMA CENA , now in an office suite at?Mogenson Centre,?offers a range of services, including psychedelic-assisted therapy, general therapy, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Their holistic approach aims to improve the lives of people with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions.
The Harbour London , also located in an office suite at Mogenson Centre,?is focused on establishing a pilot project in London, Ontario, to address the treatment and support needs of university and college students. This initiative aims to provide crucial resources and support for the student community.
These expansions highlight our ongoing efforts to build an innovation district that supports diverse industries and drives regional and global innovation. We are excited to support these businesses as they grow and thrive within Western Research Parks.
ElioMedica Discusses Medical Device Development at Northeastern, Toronto
Eliomedica Inc , a strategy firm focused on medical devices and maintaining space at Discovery Landing in Mogenson Centre, recently engaged in a productive discussion at the Northeastern International Campus in Toronto. The conversation centered on strategies to develop safe and effective medical devices, emphasizing a holistic commercialization approach to accelerate market entry, reduce costs, and attract investors. Leveraging AI technology and platforms like Nyquist AI, ElioMedica aims to streamline information integration, enabling efficient strategy validation and implementation. The discussion highlighted the importance of product-market fit, reimbursement strategies, and rigorous engineering practices through case studies such as Kangaroo Mother Care and Therac-25.
Learn more on ElioMedica’s website.
Interested in strategies related to medical devices? Contact Founder & Managing Partner, Arash Samimi, PhD .
Sip into Summer at Black Walnut Bakery Café!
Black Walnut Bakery Café at Western Research Parks is ready for summer with new refreshing cold beverages. Enjoy the bright Convergence Centre atrium with ample seating, a shaded patio, visitor parking, and free WiFi. The handcrafted Cold Brew offers a smooth, aromatic flavour, while the Pink Peppermint Lemonade balances tangy and sweet for a caffeine-free treat. Try the Iced London Fog, made with iced Earl Grey, vanilla, and milk, or the Coconut syrup Iced Lattes for a tropical twist. Cool down with these delicious summer drinks at 999 Collip Circle!
Innovation and Strategic Partnerships Unite in New Headquarters
Two of the three partners of the Innovation & Strategic Partnerships (ISP) portfolio — Strategic Partnerships and Western Innovation and Strategic Partnerships ?— are now headquartered together in Suite 200 at the Mogenson Centre in Western Discovery Park! This move significantly enhances collaborative efforts within the ISP portfolio. While the administrative offices of Western Research Parks and the third member of the ISP portfolio remain at the Convergence Centre, Suite 101, the close alignment between partners strengthens their unified mission to amplify Western University's research impact and foster crucial connections between research, industry, and the community.
Visit from Ontario Centre of Innovation
The Strategic Partnerships team recently welcomed Raed Kadri, Vice-President of Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) and Head of OVIN, and Jeff van Heumen, Assistant Vice-President of OCI, to Western University. Led by Penny Pexman , Vice-President (Research), Dave Muir , Associate Vice-President (Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), and Hakan Karatas , Partnership Development Manager, they showcased cutting-edge facilities and labs in electric vehicle battery materials research and testing. In the image, Left is Yang Zhao, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Western, and Right is Raed Kadri.
KIT Energy Center Visit
The Strategic Partnerships team hosted a delegation from the?Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)?Energy Center in Karlsruhe, Germany, at Western University. The visit advanced international research partnerships and energy innovation. Highlights included presentations from Dave Muir and KIT-Zentrum Energie 's Fabrizio Gabrielli, Th. Walter TROMM and Wolfgang Breh, as well as tours of Surface Science Western and labs led by Jin Jiang, Dennis Michaelson, Hamidreza Abdolvand, and Yolanda Hedberg.
Western Research Parks and Google Cloud Partner to Empower Healthcare and AI Startups
We've joined forces with Google Cloud to upskill and develop startups. This strategic partnership aims to accelerate the growth of startups in London and surrounding areas, focusing particularly on the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Through workshops, education sessions, and other initiatives, the program will cover critical technology topics such as security, data analytics, and innovation. The program kicked off with our?first seminar on July 29, featuring sessions on building healthcare solutions with Google Cloud and transforming healthcare with generative AI, led by Google experts Noura Daadaa , Junnet Ali , Tomy Chan and Ravi Khanna .
Our Executive Director, Gailene Tobin Vandenheuvel, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “This collaboration with Google is pivotal, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and resources that drive innovation forward, not only locally but on a global scale. Collaborating with Google Cloud aligns with our mission to bring essential skills and foundational education to startups, crucial for shaping the future of healthcare and life sciences in Canada and beyond.”
Stay tuned for details on the next seminar session!
Upcoming Career Panel in Collaboration with S2BN
Western Research Parks and the Science to Business Network (S2BN) London Chapter are excited to announce an upcoming Career Panel designed to provide Western graduate students and recent alumni with valuable career insights and networking opportunities. The event will take place on August 21 and 22 at The Connector Suites in the Convergence Centre (999 Collip Circle).
Each session will begin with an hour of networking and tours of Western Research Parks, followed by a career panel moderated by?Gailene Tobin Vandenheuvel. Representatives from various Western Research Parks businesses, as well as partners including the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), TechAlliance, and BioNext , will provide industry-specific insights.
This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, offering students a glimpse into diverse career paths.
领英推荐
Western News Feature: “Innovation grows at Western Research Parks”
加拿大西安大略大学 ’s article, “Innovation grows at Western Research Parks,” highlights our significant contributions to the London, ON community. With 732 employees and an estimated $55 million annual impact, our influence reaches far beyond the local area.
The article showcases some of our key achievements and initiatives:
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Discover more about our journey and impact in the full article.
Exploring Clustering Insights at IASP: Western Research Parks’ Experience
Our team recently attended the IASP - International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation conference at McMaster Innovation Park , themed "The Power & Pain of Clustering." The three-day event offered a dynamic blend of networking opportunities and thought-provoking discussions. Panel sessions covered key topics such as talent attraction, space activation, and economic development, providing our team with fresh perspectives and strategies to enhance our efforts. Highlights included a tour of OmniaBio , where we explored advancements in cell and gene therapies, and engaging with industry leaders to strengthen partnerships.
Following our encounter at IASP Hamilton, we’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with MilliporeSigma . This collaboration further expands our network and creates new opportunities for innovation. We are excited to work with Millipore Sigma on projects that will benefit the innovative companies within our Research Parks and our broader community of industry partners, academics, and colleagues.
Western Research Parks & London Community Artists Open House Celebration
Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024
Time: 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Location: The Connector Suites, Convergence?Centre?(999?Collip Circle)
Save the Date!
The Connector Session with Dr. Mark Daley , Chief AI Officer (Western University)
Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Time: 11:30am to 1:30pm
Location: The Connector Suites, Convergence Centre?(999?Collip Circle)
Save the Date!
After the overwhelming success of last year’s series, we’re excited to once again spotlight the bright minds shaping the future of innovation at Western Research Parks. This is our opportunity to welcome and highlight all the new students, interns, experiential learning hires, and post-docs that are making important contributions to the innovative companies within our Research Parks.
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Thank you to all the incoming talent who participated in our 2024 series (L-R):
We look forward to spotlighting new talent next year!
Discovery Landing, located in the Mogenson Centre, offers a dynamic shared office environment for prospective Western Research Parks businesses. This facility boasts flexible leasing options and co-working areas, fostering collaboration and innovation. It is equipped with modern meeting rooms and a comfortable lounge area, along with hosted office hours from the London ecosystem to provide additional support. Discovery Landing is designed to help businesses explore our amenities and integrate seamlessly into the vibrant research and innovation community.
Students, entrepreneurs, and startups: this is your opportunity to grow or establish your business at the Research Parks and expand your collaborative network with like-minded innovators!
Food Truck Friday: August 23, 2024
SECOND ANGRY GOOSE LANDING OF 2024: Attention Western Research Parks businesses and employees! Don’t miss out on our next exclusive member appreciation event: Food Truck Friday on August 23, 2024. Join us for an afternoon of delicious offerings from Great Hall Catering’s food truck, The Angry Goose. Enjoy great food, exciting games, and the chance to win exciting prizes as we celebrate and connect with our incredible community. Mark your calendars and come savor the fun!
Save the Date!
Rise Office: Unlock Savings at Top London Spots
Attention Western Research Parks businesses and employees! As a member, you have access to exclusive savings at some of London’s top spots, including Flying Squirrel Sports, Budweiser Gardens, Storybook Gardens, and BTL Axe. Enjoy relaxing massages at Daydream Massage, shop at the Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store, and benefit from educational discounts at Western Continuing Studies . These perks are part of our commitment to member well-being and community. To take advantage of these deals, visit our member experience platform, Rise Office.
We appreciate you taking the time to read this volume of our community newsletter.?We look forward to our eighth edition scheduled for October 2024.?