Markham Convergence Centre Archives | Research & Innovation

Innovation 91��ɫ positioned as launch pad for commercialization

muellerm — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Vice-President Research & Innovation Robert Haché announces the development of a new suite of commercialization and industry liaison services under the umbrella of Innovation 91��ɫ.��

Commercialization and industry liaison services at 91��ɫ in the past have been delivered via two units: the Intellectual Property & Research Agreements unit (IPRA) within the Office of Research Services and an industry liaison unit called Innovation 91��ɫ located at the Markham Convergence Centre. IPRA supported commercialization activities and research agreements, whereas Innovation 91��ɫ focused primarily on developing relationships between 91��ɫ faculty members and small-medium enterprises (SMEs) within the 91��ɫ region. The arrangement created a difficult environment for faculty members and industry to navigate.��

The Markham Convergence Centre

Following an environmental scan of best practises in Canadian universities, the division of the VPRI developed a plan to combine and expand upon the services of the two units under the unifying banner of Innovation 91��ɫ. The “new” Innovation 91��ɫ will provide increased support and enhance coordination of the commercialization activities and the development of relationships between academic researchers and industry.

“I am pleased to announce an expansion of services under the umbrella of Innovation 91��ɫ. The unit aims to provide an integrated suite of services to the 91��ɫ research community, in order to facilitate research, translate research outcomes, and continue to develop a culture of industry-engaged scholarship,” said Haché.�� “We value the research partnerships we have made throughout the past year and hope to continue to further develop our existing partnerships and new ones, both in 91��ɫ region and within the broader global community.”

Robert Haché

Under the leadership of Sarah Howe, the new Innovation 91��ɫ will set out to create a strategic office within the division of the VPRI that supports the interaction between faculty members, trainees and industry in a multitude of ways including, the management of agreements, the facilitation of innovative research partnerships and internship opportunities, commercialization of intellectual assets, and the support of entrepreneurship and start-up acceleration activities.

As the new commercialization and industry liaison office for 91��ɫ, Innovation 91��ɫ provides services to faculty members, trainees, and industry within four service streams:

Agreements - Innovation 91��ɫ will manage the agreement process on behalf of researchers and 91��ɫ in order to effectively facilitate research projects and commercialize intellectual assets.
Industry Liaison - Innovation91��ɫ will initiate and foster relationships between91��ɫ faculty members, trainees, and industry, in order to create actionable research projects infused with industry-research dollars.
Commercialization - Innovation 91��ɫ will work with faculty members and trainees to assist them with commercializing their intellectual assets, in order to maximize the social and economic impact.
Entrepreneurship & Start-up Acceleration - Innovation 91��ɫ will provide accelerator space within the Markham Convergence Centre for faculty and trainee start-up companies, in order to provide a professional place of business.

In order to ensure that this suite of services is robust and effective, Innovation 91��ɫ will enlist the assistance two key external partners: MaRS Innovation and VentureLab.

MaRS Innovation (MI), an organization that commercializes some of the key research breakthroughs from 16 of Toronto’s top universities, medical institutions, and research institutes. MI selects key discoveries from91��ɫand in collaboration with Innovation 91��ɫ, advances their commercialization path through industry partnerships, licensing arrangements and spin-off companies. MI leverages its assets, along with government funds and other member resources, to develop and commercialize these high-potential technologies.

VentureLab is the regional innovation centre within the 91��ɫ region. Innovation 91��ɫ and VentureLab work together to support faculty and student entrepreneurs as they incorporate and grow startup companies. In addition, the two organizations work together to create innovative research partnerships between academic researchers and VentureLab clients.

The new Innovation 91��ɫ aims to build on these existing partnerships and work to provide broad opportunities for faculty members and trainees to obtain regional, national, and global industry support for their own academic research and commercialization opportunities.

For additional information, please contact Sarah Howe, director, Innovation 91��ɫ, at showe@yorku.ca or ext. 20579.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Markham Convergence Centre to host Open House Sept. 24

fmaquito — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:00:00 +0000

The Markham Convergence Centre (MCC) is holding an to introduce to you who we are, what we do and what we can do in the 91��ɫ Region. Our goal is to create awareness by showcasing the different resources that are available in the Markham Convergence Centre, how we aim to support our community and cultivate innovation.

The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Markham Convergence Centre, 7271 Warden Ave., in Markham, ON.

Please see the for more information or .��

For more information or partnering opportunities, please contact Brigitte Sharpe, Communications & Events Programing Manager at ventureLAB: bsharpe@venturelab.ca or by phone: 905-248-2735.

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Professor Robert Haché is 91��ɫ's new vice-president research & innovation

fmaquito — Tue, 31 May 2011 08:00:00 +0000

, a molecular and cellular biologist and biochemist, will assume the role of vice-president research & innovation at 91��ɫ for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2011.

The announcement of Haché's appointment was made yesterday by 91��ɫ President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “I am thrilled that Dr. Haché is coming to 91��ɫ,” said Shoukri. “Dr. Haché's ideas, experience and skills will enable us to continue to enhance our increasingly strong research profile, and expand into one of Canada’s leading interdisciplinary research and teaching universities.”

Right: Robert Haché

Haché is currently the associate vice-president research at the , where he has played a key role in advancing strategic research priorities. He has also held appointments in the university's Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy in the Faculty of Medicine, and in the Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science, where he maintained an active research program. Previously, he spent 18 years at the University of Ottawa, the last 12 in a series of research leadership positions that ended with a term as vice-dean, research for the Faculty of Medicine.

“I am delighted to be coming to 91��ɫ at what is sure to be a promising time in its history,” said Haché. “I look forward to working with faculty and researchers to further the development of its rapidly growing and internationally-recognized research enterprise.”

A molecular and cellular biologist and biochemist, Haché has made important contributions to the understanding of how steroid hormone signaling takes place in cells and how cells respond to DNA damaging agents. He has chaired and been a member of a number of boards and advisory committees associated with research development and research management. Haché received his BSc in biochemistry from McGill University and his PhD in biochemistry from Queen's University.

Haché has been the recipient of many research grants and awards, including from the (CIHR), the , the (NCIC), The Inc., and the (NSERC). He is the author of more than 130 scientific articles and abstracts and has delivered many distinguished invited presentations on various aspects of his research.

“I would like to thank Stan Shapson for his outstanding leadership and friendship,” Shoukri said of 91��ɫ's outgoing vice-president research & innovation. “During his time at 91��ɫ, Stan was instrumental in advancing 91��ɫ’s research and innovation mandate, as well as raising the University’s profile externally. Among his many contributions, Stan helped to oversee the launch of the Markham Convergence Centre, an important research initiative in the provincial government’s ONE Network.”

Added Shoukri: “I am grateful to Stan for all that he has achieved over the years at 91��ɫ, and wish him well in all of his future endeavours.”

Republished courtesy of YFile – 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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91��ɫ becomes 17th member of MaRS Innovation

fmaquito — Mon, 09 May 2011 08:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ has become the latest member of , the commercialization agent for many leading Toronto-based universities, hospitals and research institutes.

“91��ɫ has become one of Canada’s fastest-growing centres for research and innovation,” said Stan Shapson (right), vice-president research & innovation at 91��ɫ. “We typically get 10 to 20 discovery disclosures a year. Joining MaRS Innovation allows us to deliver the most competitive commercialization services to the researchers making these discoveries. We’re confident that membership in MaRS Innovation will boost that number and accelerate the commercialization of 91��ɫ’s most promising research.”

Earlier this year, 91��ɫ launched its office. Based in 91��ɫ Region, Innovation 91��ɫ works with other partner organizations in the Markham Convergence Centre to build upon research partnerships between 91��ɫ researchers and life science and technology companies based in 91��ɫ Region and the Greater Toronto Area. It’s also making 91��ɫ’s research and infrastructure more accessible to industry, government agencies and community partners.

Joining MaRS Innovation will further extend 91��ɫ’s commercialization contacts. In less than two years, MaRS Innovation has assessed more than 400 research disclosures from members such as the University of Toronto and its 10 affiliated teaching hospitals, as well as Ryerson University.

MaRS Innovation has begun to line up investment funding to take the discoveries with the greatest commercial potential to market, creating companies and jobs, and starting industries. In 2011 alone, MaRS Innovation has spurred the creation of five new enterprises based on the groundbreaking discoveries of its members.

“We’re thrilled that 91��ɫ has decided to become one of our members." said Rafi Hofstein, president & CEO of MaRS Innovation. "91��ɫ’s national and international reputation for groundbreaking discoveries is growing quickly, and many of their research initiatives are highly complementary to the technologies that we’ve been helping to commercialize over the past two years.”

To become a member of MaRS Innovation, an academic and research organization must have intellectual property in life sciences (drug discovery, medical devices, diagnostic imaging, etc.), information and communications technologies (ICT), cleantech and digital media.

MaRS Innovation is supported by the Government of Canada through the (NCE) to focus on turning inventions into real commercial opportunities. Both the Province of Ontario’s (MRI) and Ottawa have provided essential financial support for Proof of Principle programs – NCE, through the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research, funded the turning of inventions into real commercial opportunities; and MRI, through Ontario Centres of Excellence, has been supporting MaRS Innovation’s Proof of Principle (PoP) program.

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with files courtesy of MaRS Innovation Public Relations department and Media Relations at 91��ɫ University.

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91��ɫ displays research and innovation at YTA Solutions Showcase

fmaquito — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ researchers and students displayed their research projects and innovations at the 91��ɫ Technology Alliance’s Solutions Showcase event, which took place at the Markham Convergence Centre (MCC) on March 10.

Titled “Game Changers: How local innovations are creating a new ‘business as usual'”, the (YTA) showcase encouraged participants from industry, academia and government agencies to display discovery research and innovations through six-minute Lightning Lectures and a hands-on Demo Lounge.

91��ɫ Professor , chair of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering in the Faculty of Science & Engineering, presented the 91��ɫ-led Centre for Innovation in Information Visualization and Data-Driven Design (CIV-DDD). The project, which involves researchers in the Faculties of Fine Arts and Science & Engineering, along with graduate students and other industry and academic partners, promises to develop the next generation of data discovery, design and visualization techniques by developing new computational tools, representational strategies and interfaces.

Right: 91��ɫ Professor Amir Asif, second from left, chats with visitors at the 91��ɫ Technology Alliance's Solutions Showcase event

Professor and a group of undergraduate students from her laboratory in the Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering displayed 91��ɫ’s Mars rover and spoke about their successful involvement in international Mars rover competitions. A group of graduate students from Professor ’s laboratory in the School of Information Technology, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, also spoke about their recent research.

MBA students Navneet Budhia, Boris Chan, Vitaliia Rubinovitch, Eli Ilatov and Shakti Kumar from the Schulich School of Business’ (EVCG) also participated; their members apply their skills to help local entrepreneurs grow their businesses. “It’s really important for students to get off campus and interact with real companies,” said Budhia, president of EVCG. “This is where academia and industry meet to create value for both the companies and the students.”

Left: The Mars rover was on display at the showcase and was accompanied by a team of undergraduate students from the Department of Earth & Space Science and Engineering

Stan Shapson, vice-president research & innovation, agreed. “Universities usually expect companies to come to our campus,” he explained. “By co-locating with industry organizations like YTA and creating a presence in the for our service unit, , 91��ɫ is sending a very powerful message to our partners. We’re helping industry enhance and forge new connections to 91��ɫ’s research and training capacity, which demonstrates our openness to collaboration.

“Paradoxically, we’re finding that it’s sometimes easier to get students and researchers to interact at our new 91��ɫ Region home in the MCC than it is on our main campus.”

Other showcase participants included the and , 91��ɫ Region’s recently announced Regional Innovation Centre. 91��ɫ’s participation in the YTA Solutions Showcase was made possible by a Regional Opportunities Fund grant from NSERC.

The 91��ɫ Technology Alliance Showcase was one of many ongoing events at the MCC that provide faculty and students with opportunities to seek research collaboration and internships with industry. 91��ɫ’s also runs programs and services at MCC providing a space to support collaboration with 91��ɫ Region community organizations and municipal agencies.

To learn more about Innovation 91��ɫ, contact Dan Lynch, manager of industry liaison.

By Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer

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91��ɫ partners with life science trade mission to Israel

fmaquito — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Members of Markham council will go on a trade mission to Israel to participate in the Israel Life Science Industry Biomed conference in Tel Aviv, May 20 to 29, wrote :

The May business mission is a partnership between the Town of Markham, the Regional Municipality of 91��ɫ, 91��ɫ and Miller Thomson LLP. It will focus on positioning the Markham Convergence Centre as the launching pad for graduates of Israel's technological incubators seeking to enter the North American market.

Strategically located in 91��ɫ Region, (IY) is the between 91��ɫ researchers and their applied research partners who will collaboratively grow their ideas and introduce new products and services to the marketplace.

Part of the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, IY is primarily based in the .

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with files courtesy of YFile , 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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91��ɫ launches commercialization presence in 91��ɫ Region

fmaquito — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:00:00 +0000

If collaboration across industry, academic and public sectors is key to bridging Canada’s innovation gap, how do you make university research more accessible to the people and organizations who need this expertise?

91��ɫ has answered this challenge by launching (IY). Strategically located in 91��ɫ Region, IY is the public face and conduit between 91��ɫ researchers and their applied research partners who will collaboratively grow their ideas and introduce new products and services to the marketplace.

Above: From left, Peter Pekos, chair of VentureLab; Markham-Unionville MPP Michael Chan; Frank Scarpitti, mayor of the Town of Markham; Ontario's Minister of Research & Innovation Glen Murray; Richmond Hill MPP Reza Moridi; 91��ɫ President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri; and 91��ɫ Vice-President Research & Innovation Stan Shapson

IY will provide commercialization and knowledge mobilization services to industry, public sector organizations and academic researchers while playing a strong role in supporting VentureLab, 91��ɫ Region’s Regional Innovation Centre, which was officially opened yesterday by Ontario's Minister of Research & Innovation Glen Murray.

“91��ɫ is proud of our partnerships with governments, academic institutions and industry,” said 91��ɫ President and Vice-Chancellor, Mamdouh Shoukri. “This collaborative approach allows our researchers and industry stakeholders to engage and share ideas, a concept that complements 91��ɫ’s interdisciplinary approach to research and learning.”

Right: Click on the photograph to view a Flickr slideshow of images from the opening of the Markham Convergence Centre and Innovation 91��ɫ

“91��ɫ is 91��ɫ Region’s research and innovation university,” said Stan Shapson, vice-president research & innovation. “We have a critical role to play in collaborating with entrepreneurs, industry and municipal partners to develop new ideas, products and services that will help Ontario gain a competitive advantage in the global economy. IY’s presence throughout 91��ɫ Region will make the world-class expertise of over 1,500 researchers integral to accelerating R&D growth and strengthening communities where people want to work and enjoy a high quality of life.”

IY’s location in the , along with VentureLab and other key collaborators, presents unique opportunities.

“Across 91��ɫ Region, there are impressive sectoral strengths in information technology, environmental technologies and the life sciences, particularly in medical device technologies,” said Shapson. “Combined with Canada’s fastest growing and most diverse population base, this presents a particularly compelling case for innovation. Through our presence in 91��ɫ Region, IY will be positioned to better understand our partners’ needs within the economic and social ecosystems they operate within as we explore new ways to work together to mutual advantage.”

“The strength of Ontario’s creative environment, diverse culture, highly skilled workforce, world-class education system, internationally recognized research community and proven entrepreneurs is second to none,” said Murray. “ links these talents together across the province to ensure all great ideas have the opportunity to flourish – creating jobs and improving our lives now and in the future.”

As part of the province-wide ONE network, VentureLab will give entrepreneurs access to a broad range of experts – including researchers, academics, businesses, government and investors – who can help sell an innovative idea, bring it to the marketplace and grow a business worldwide.

Submitted by Elizabeth Monier Williams, research communications officer

Photos and video republished courtesy of Jenny Pitt-Clark, editor of YFile, 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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