ARC – Page 2 – Applied Research and Innovation Office

Search On for Better Ways to Grow

Posted on July 9, 2021 by wpadminLeave a comment

Search On for Better Ways to Grow

July 8, 2021 – Loyalist College is receiving provincial government funding and entering into a partnership with a private cannabis company to do research aiming to improve cannabis production methods.

Loyalist is receiving $75,000 from the province and the company Apollo Green of Ottawa is kicking in $170,000 which will allow five Bioscience and Cannabis Applied Science students to do research over two years to find better ways to grow marijuana.

Click to Read More: Search On for Better Ways to Grow (Quinte News)

Loyalist College Receives Government of Ontario Funding for Cannabis Tissue Culture Project

Posted on July 8, 2021 by wpadminLeave a comment

Loyalist College Receives Government of Ontario Funding for Cannabis Tissue Culture Project

Belleville, Ontario, July 8, 2021 – Loyalist College has been awarded funding by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), through the province’s Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP) program, to conduct a two-year ‘Process Optimization for Production of Cannabis Starter Plants from Tissue Culture’ project with Apollo Green.

“The outcome of this exciting applied research project has the potential to change and shape the future of cannabis production,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO. “We’re grateful to the Ontario Centre of Innovation for this VIP funding, which will enable the College’s Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis to explore advanced plant tissue culture which supports Apollo Green’s efforts in growing genetically identical, high-yield plants for commercialization. Together, we are envisioning solutions to an industry-wide challenge, while providing our students with a one-of-a-kind applied academic experience.”

With this VIP funding, the College’s Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis aims to determine cannabinoid profiles, growth patterns, environmental and nutrient requirements, and disease resistance of Apollo Green’s 600 cannabis varieties, while establishing commercial viability.

“Apollo Green is thrilled to enter into this project and continue collaborating with Loyalist College,” said Vinay Singh, Chief Science Advisor. “The variables in growing cannabis are numerous, and it’s critical to understand how they impact the propagation process. To be successful it’s essential that we constantly look at ways to optimize our production processes and nurture future innovation. This project will allow students to contribute to our growth while we all learn and produce the highest quality products for our customers.”

Findings from Loyalist College’s research will help Apollo Green optimize its cannabis production processes to efficiently produce starter plants for the Canadian market. This process is expensive and carries significant risks of project failure as all plants are exposed to the same environment in the same space. The backup and storage of these varieties is an issue as it requires space, time and labour to maintain living plants in a regular indoor growing environment using traditional methods, such as pots, soil and lights.

For five Loyalist College Bioscience and Cannabis Applied Science students, this project provides a unique work-integrated research opportunity to learn about cannabis propagation and evaluation of factors impacting growth and market sustainability.

“OCI is pleased to support R&D collaborations between Ontario’s industry and postsecondary institutions,” said Claudia Krywiak, OCI President and CEO. “Solving industry-based challenges and driving commercialization outcomes is the foundation of the province’s VIP program.”

The province’s VIP program helps eligible Ontario companies develop, implement and commercialize technical innovations by supporting industry-academic collaborations, allowing industry to leverage Ontario’s world-class academic institutions to solve business challenges, develop new products and processes, and increase productivity. With the VIP program, Loyalist College’s research project received $75,000 in support from the Government of Ontario, through OCI. This was matched with $169,100 in industry contributions, for a total project value of $244,100.

About Loyalist College

Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges and #1 in the country for industry research income as a percentage of total research income, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Of 2018-19 graduates, 88.8 percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.7 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $382 million annually to the regional economy – based on a March 2020 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.

About Apollo Green

Apollo Green is Canada’s leader in cannabis genetics. The company’s mission is to provide an ever-growing bank of seeds and clones to medical patients and recreational consumers. Apollo Green provides clean, trusted cannabis seeds and clones, which are backed by the foremost tissue culture technology to reduce risks, costs and time-to-market for licensed producers around the world.

About The Ontario Centre of Innovation

The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), formerly the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), maximizes the commercial impact of research developed in Ontario’s colleges, universities, and research hospitals, and accelerates the commercialization of Made-in-Ontario intellectual property and technologies. A pan-provincial collaboration platform, with a broad and deep network across industry, academia and government, OCI initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly-skilled talent. Learn more about the Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP): oc-innovation.ca

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Contact: Ashliegh Gehl, Coordinator, Marketing and Communications

Loyalist College, agehl@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913, ext. 2826

Loyalist Receives Monetary Awards for Cannabis Research Project

Posted on June 18, 2021 by wpadminLeave a comment

Loyalist Receives Monetary Awards for Cannabis Research Project

June 17, 2021 – More awards for Loyalist College.

The Belleville post-secondary institution’s Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis has received two funding awards totaling $30,000 from Mitacs Accelerate.

The money will be used to support an applied research project with MediPharm Labs, a company that specializes in producing purified, pharmaceutical-quality cannabis oil and concentrates and advanced derivative products for Canadian and international markets.

Loyalist College and olds College Sign Agriculture Applied Research and Programming MOU

Posted on June 15, 2021 by wpadminLeave a comment

Loyalist College and olds College Sign Agriculture Applied Research and Programming MOU

Olds, Alberta and Belleville, Ontario, June 15, 2021 – Unifying key agriculture applied research, education and training across the country, Loyalist College and Olds College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to advance Canadian agriculture.

Together Loyalist College and Olds College will establish new and enhanced work-integrated learning opportunities for students between the two institutions, and explore potential areas of collaboration in smart agriculture, vertical farming and aspects of urban planning around farming and food sustainability. The MOU initially covers a two-year period and will be governed by a joint committee of representatives from both institutions.

Quotes:

“We are so excited to be working with one of Canada’s best colleges in industry-focused applied research. Loyalist College and Olds College are both listed on Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges. In fact, Loyalist College is #1 in the country for industry research income as a percentage of total research and Olds College is #9 in the nation. Our institutions have extensive networks within Alberta and Ontario; this agreement will allow us to leverage and add value to our networks for a pan-Canadian impact.” – Stuart Cullum, President, Olds College

“Our partnership with Olds College, a leading Canadian agricultural college, aligns perfectly with Loyalist College’s Bio Economy & Agritech cluster of programs and applied research. Loyalist is at the forefront of emerging demand for natural products and medical cannabis, Olds is leading the nation in smart agriculture, and the synergies we create across the agricultural sector, eco-tourism and related industries will benefit regional employers and contribute directly to the economy. By sharing expertise, knowledge and research data, we’ll collectively generate more opportunities for graduates to join and advance the sector through the development of safe, sustainable new products, methods, and services.” – Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO, Loyalist College

About Olds College

Olds College is known for high-tech, hands-on agriculture education and innovative applied research that lays the foundation for solving real-world problems in farming, food and land. The College offers programming in Agriculture, Horticulture, Land and Environment Management, Animal Science, Food Production, Business, Trades and Apprenticeships. Olds College Centre of Innovation and Smart Farm are accelerating the development and adoption of technologies and practices that result in improved productivity, profitability and sustainability of the agriculture and agri-food industry through industry-driven applied research. Olds College has been recognized as one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges by Research Infosource. As Canada’s smart agriculture college, Olds College is working to achieve its social purpose of transforming agriculture for a better world.

About Loyalist College

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Contact: Ashliegh Gehl, Coordinator, Marketing & Communications
Loyalist College, agehl@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913, ext. 2826

Loyalist College to Advance Regional Business Development with New Applied Research and Innovation Office

Posted on May 6, 2021 by wpadminLeave a comment

Loyalist College to Advance Regional Business Development with New Applied Research and Innovation Office

Belleville, Ontario, May 6, 2021 – Loyalist College announced the creation of a new Applied Research and Innovation Office (ARIO), which will support the College in driving economic development through industry partnerships, applied research, innovation and entrepreneurship. The ARIO will bring the College’s existing Applied Research department under the purview of External Relations and Business Development, empowering the College to collaborate with more industry partners across all industries to help take their ideas, products and services to market.

“Through this strategic College-wide applied research initiative, we will connect more employers with our academic teams, thereby enhancing employment opportunities for graduates, informing curriculum development, and aligning College activities with the latest industry trends and technological innovations,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO. “With the highest percentage of college research income in Canada, the ARIO will play a significant role in the Bay of Quinte region’s post-pandemic economic recovery, working with industry to envision and develop sustainable revenue-driving solutions.”

The ARIO will support and develop capacity for applied research and innovation at Loyalist College by:

• Providing financial and human resources;

• Supporting and promoting the Research Ethics Board (REB);

• Offering project management support;

• Networking across the College and externally in relation to applied research opportunities; and,

• Producing evidence, data, and information for decision-making within a continuous quality improvement context for the sustainability of high-quality student learning experiences.

To collaborate with Loyalist College’s Applied Research and Innovation Office, please visit loyalistappliedresearch.com.

About Loyalist College

Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges and #1 in the country for industry research income as a percentage of total research income, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Of 2017-18 Loyalist graduates, 88.5 percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.7 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $382 million annually to the regional economy – based on a March 2020 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.

Cold Plasma Sterilization Supports More than Cannabis

Posted on April 27, 2021 by wpadminLeave a comment

Cold Plasma Sterilization Supports More than Cannabis

Cold Plasma Group and the ARC team at the Loyalist College in Belleville, ON with the plasma prototype used to validate and scale-up the plasma technology for cannabis decontamination. Image via Cold Plasma Group.

April 27, 2021 – In 2011, Florina Truica was faced with a difficult decision: Follow her employer to Georgia, or lose her job but continue to raise her family here in Kingston.

Truica, born and raised in Romania, came to Kingston in 2008 after completing her PhD and post-doctoral studies at Ecole Polytechnique of Montreal. She accepted a research scientist position at Novelis Global Research Center and moved her family from Montreal to Kingston when her son was three years old.

“When Novelis moved its Research Centre to Atlanta, GA, in 2011, I had a tough decision to make: to accept the job offer in Atlanta or to stay,” Truica shared. “On one hand, I loved my job and working with the Novelis people, but on the other, my family was well adjusted and living a happy life in Kingston. I agonized for weeks over the decision, it felt like it was career-over-family type of choice, but in the end, I decided to stay in Kingston, because my family and their happiness is the only thing truly worth something to me!”

Truica said her life became more relaxed after they moved here from Montreal. “With less commute times and lower costs of living, we had a better work-life balance. Another aspect that we’ve loved in Kingston is the French community, and the access to French education for my son. Born in Montreal and 3 years old at the time of the move, he was already speaking fluently French, English and Romanian. We wanted for him to keep his language proficiency, especially in French, and Kingston and the French community here offered that opportunity,” she said.

Solving the Cannabis 2.0 Product Challenge

Posted on March 29, 2021 by wpadminLeave a comment

Solving the Cannabis 2.0 Product Challenge

Mar. 29, 2021 – The growth in demand for cannabis health and wellness, personal care, and non-smokable products is a positive sign, validating the commercial promise of legalization of adult-use cannabis. Yet, when we look at the legal offerings available, Canadians face a modest array of products. While the initial cannabis beverage offerings are impressive, limited selections of edibles and topicals speak to the challenges of developing new cannabis products.

For the past five years at the Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Cannabis at Loyalist College, we have been helping companies develop cannabis products, technologies, and processes. Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges and #1 in the country for industry-led applied research income as a percentage of total research income, Loyalist College has played a significant role in the success of the nation’s cannabis and natural product sectors. Perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, Loyalist College has attracted partners of all sizes, ranging from start-ups to publicly listed licensed producers.

New Funds Awarded for Cannabis-Cloning Research at Loyalist College

Posted on March 10, 2021 by wpadminLeave a comment

New Funds Awarded for Cannabis-Cloning Research at Loyalist College

Mar. 10, 2021 – Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre has received its first two Mitacs Accelerate funding awards totalling $30,000 to support an applied research project with apollogreen, a global, cannabis starter-plant supplier.

Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that receives federal and provincial funding to foster growth and innovation in Canada by solving business challenges with research solutions from academic institutions.

Loyalist College Receives Funding for Cannabis Plant Cloning Project

Posted on March 9, 2021 by wpadminLeave a comment

Loyalist College Receives Funding for Cannabis Plant Cloning Project

Mar. 9, 2021 – A financial boost for Loyalist College.

The college’s Applied Research Centre has received a pair of Mitacs Accelerate awards totaling $30,000.

Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization funded by the federal and all of Canada’s provincial governments aimed at solving business challenges by way of research solutions from academic institutions.

Loyalist will allocate its money towards an applied research project with Ottawa-based Apollogreen, a global cannabis starter plant supplier.

The project goal is to maximize cannabis cloning, resulting in fast-growing stock plant material to supply medical and recreational markets.

$$$ for Cannabis Research Project

Posted on March 9, 2021 by wpadmin2 Comments

$$$ for Cannabis Research Project

Mar. 9, 2021 – Loyalist College has received its first funding awards in connection with an applied research project with Apollogreen, a global cannabis starter plant supplier.

This is first of two Mitacs Accelerate funding awards totalling $30,000.

Kandace Parks. a post-graduate student, is the candidate for the 12-month research-assistant position.

The project is about medical and recreational cannabis use.

Parks says, “This is a very innovative and research-intensive project. We don’t know exactly what is going to happen. We have an idea, but it is nerve-racking until proven. Everything about this experience is exciting and I am very thankful to Mitacs, Apollogreen and Loyalist College for the opportunity to make industry connections while strengthening my research skills.”

She explained to Quinte News, “One of really neat things about cannabis is that it’s not just about a bunch people who smoke weed. I also work at a dispensary in Picton. Sure there are recreational users but also some using it to help treat such things as a muscle issue or insomnia.”

Click to Read More: $$$ for Cannabis Research Project (Quinte News)