The following sections shine a spotlight on the highlights of Research and Innovation’s 24th year, both as a division, and through the accomplishments of each of our Innovation Centres, and our Academic partners at Niagara College.
Niagara College named No. 1 Research college in Canada
“I am exceptionally proud that Niagara College has reached the No. 1 spot in Canada and Ontario as the top research college in funding. Research and innovation is a priority in the College’s Strategic Plan as it provides real-world solutions for businesses and extraordinary experiential learning opportunities for students.” – Sean Kennedy, President, Niagara College
For the second time in less than five years, Niagara College has hit the No. 1 spot for colleges in Canada for research funding, according to a special report released in December 2023. Moving up one spot from last year’s standings, Niagara College is now the No. 1 research college across Canada. This is the ninth year in a row NC has been in the top 10.
Read more about this milestone achievement:
Not sure how to grow in the marketplace? Using market research, the Business and Commercialization Innovation Centre (BCIC) develops the strategy needed to set your business up for success.
Our team of experienced experts include marketing professionals and student and graduate researchers, who are here to help navigate the process of building a strong brand.
Pairing a passion for art with a love of mentorship
“This opportunity brings together my love of teaching and years of industry experience in marketing and social media.”
Getting the opportunity to lead a new team on the latest Innovation Centre for Niagara College’s (NC) Research and Innovation (R&I) division isn’t something Sarah Godfrey takes for granted.
Sarah Godfrey is the Research Lead with BCIC, focusing on media production. She is responsible for supporting a team of students and post-graduate research assistants, with backgrounds in film and graphic design, in offering real-world solutions to businesses seeking to solve various innovation challenges in media production.
“This opportunity brings together my love of teaching and years of industry experience in marketing and social media.”
Learn how Sarah and the media team are helping small businesses level-up their social media and marketing content.
The Food and Beverage Innovation Centre (FBIC) team offers a full suite of services to support industry innovation and commercialization of new products and processes.
From new recipe and concept development to shelf-life testing, prototyping, and small batch processing, the FBIC pairs industry partners with our highly qualified and experienced staff, faculty, recent graduates and students with the right expertise and equipment to meet their needs.
Food safety expert adds to the uniqueness of FBIC
“There are a lot of innovation centres in North America, but seeing how FBIC is able to take an idea from an industry partner and turn it into a reality in a fast, efficient way is what makes us unique.”
Around the world, an estimated 600 million people – almost 1 in 10 – fall ill after eating contaminated food each year. Concerns over food safety have also been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That’s why Angela Tellez-Lance’s unique combination of skills as a food scientist and engineer make her a highly valuable team member of the Food & Beverage Innovation Centre (FBIC).
Read on to learn more about Angela's position and her work on leading food safety initiatives and assessments for FBIC.
Niagara College’s Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) specializes in performing validation and development trials with horticultural crops that evaluate new products, innovations, and technologies.
HESIC's expertise includes assessing greenhouse and controlled environment agriculture products, technologies, production practices, packaging, media amendments, pest and disease control approaches, and more. HESIC has extensive experience in growth trials with innovations that move companies closer to commercialization.
A leap of faith pays off for Alberto Hardt
“Being able to work with Research and Innovation stands out on my resume. When I started as a student, I liked how what I was learning in the classroom I was able to apply and practise in my role with R&I. It was totally related.”
Alberto Hardt, Research Associate, Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC), lives his life by this mantra – just go for it. An experience in his life led him to ask himself, "Why wait to do the things you want?"
Originally from Brazil, Alberto always had a desire to live abroad. He did just that, studied at Niagara College, landing a job as a Research Assistant, graduated and is now a Research Associate with HESIC.
Read on to learn more about Alberto’s journey.
Niagara College's Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (WAMIC) team specializes in engineering design, 3D technologies, lean manufacturing processes and additive manufacturing.
WAMIC works with Southern Ontario businesses to bring ideas to life – from quick turn-around services to full-scale projects – utilizing leading-edge technology, including equipment and software.
From co-op to a career in manufacturing
“Working with WAMIC offers a wealth of learning opportunities. It’s essential to embrace and leverage the available technologies and the team is consistently friendly, and colleagues actively support your growth and development along your professional journey.”
Liliana McIntosh, the Mechanical Engineering Research Technician with the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (WAMIC), always knew she wanted to work in mechanics and manufacturing.
Liliana’s role is versatile as she provides support wherever needed from actively participating in ongoing projects, delivering technical services, and assisting students in their endeavours.
“This journey (with WAMIC) has provided invaluable insights into my professional interests, including product design, report work, and industrial design,” she said. “The positive experiences I have had working for WAMIC motivated me to continue contributing my skills and expertise in this environment,” she said.
Read on to learn more about how Liliana started working with WAMIC as a high-school co-op student and has moved up the ranks over the years.
APRIL 2023
- Niagara College welcomed funding from the federal government for the 2023-2024 budget: Niagara College applauds federal government’s investment in applied research
- SONAMI awarded $290,000 investment from Intellectual Property Ontario
MAY 2023
- NC-led Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN) grew with two new members
- FBIC's Beverage R&D Pilot Plant receives HACCP certification
JUNE 2023
- R&I celebrated the graduating class of 2023
- SONAMI expands simulation and modelling with new member addition
JULY 2023
- Niagara College broke ground on new HESIC research greenhouse facility at Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake
- SONAMI rides the wave of expansion, adding Water Tech and Advanced Manufacturing capabilities
AUGUST 2023
- 'Summer Sizzle' social media campaign launched for the summer, featuring R&I students and staff
SEPTEMBER 2023
- R&I's 2022-23 Annual Report released
OCTOBER 2023
- FBIC received funding support up to $50,000 from NRC IRAP to help deliver services to small and medium-sized businesses to de-risk innovation in new beverage product development
NOVEMBER 2023
- Local business tapped into BCIC's resources for marketing expertise
- SONAMI and Kingston Economic Development join forces to drive innovation in Eastern Ontario
DECEMBER 2023
- Niagara College named No. 1 research college in Canada (Canada's Innovation Leaders - Research Infosource Inc.)
JANUARY 2024
- NC named a Top Employer for second year in a row
- WAMIC purchased FARO® Vantage Laser Trackers to upgrade previous equipment
FEBRUARY 2024
- FBIC capabilities & Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery video released, highlighting the impactful partnership and its success story. Watch below:
MARCH 2024
- Niagara College introduced the 'Research Opportunity Fund', an initiative to directly support research and scholarly activity of its employees
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS WE INTERACT WITH
Research and Innovation works with our Academic Partners throughout the year, as students are hired on co-op to work on specific funded projects; as faculty partner with R&I, as research experts to lead funded projects; and as R&I supports faculty’s implementation of course-based projects.
Course-based projects are part of a strategy implemented by Niagara College Faculty and Research and Innovation that augments content from the classroom with real-life projects and scenarios. These types of projects typically take place during one course term, and involve students working with an industry partner to solve real-world challenges.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Alumni Spotlight
“My time working with Research and Innovation definitely helped me bring lab skills to my real-world brewery career. It was valuable to be able to tell employers that I’ve helped work on bringing a new product to market at my time with R&I.” – Ian Evans, Brewmaster and Brewery Operations graduate
Through applied research activities, NC’s Research and Innovation division is preparing students for the workforce with the right know-how by providing an array of researcher expertise, supported by leading-edge facilities, technology and equipment.
See how graduates and R&I alumni are applying their skills and knowledge in the real world.
The power of working with NC-led networks
Niagara College leads two multi-institution networks, Greenhouse Technology Network and the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, capable of addressing industry challenges in technologies related to greenhouse operations, and in advanced manufacturing.
Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN): 🔗 greenhousetechnetwork.ca
Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI): 🔗 sonamiontario.ca
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R&I's YouTube channel is home to videos that showcase the people, places and projects at Niagara College.
Subscribe to our channel to watch how we provide real-world solutions for business, industry and the community through applied research and knowledge transfer activities.