Applied Research Day celebrates the Galaxy of Research at GBC

This week saw over 200 people convene on the George Brown Waterfront campus for Applied Research Day. Students, faculty, staff and industry partners were treated to interesting panels and an exploration of the #gbcgalaxy.

Applied Research Day 2015 at George Brown College

The panel discussions exemplifies how applied research enacts our Strategy 2020, engaging students in innovative and experiential learning opportunities while engaging high value partners in support of innovation and entrepreneurial activities. A highlight was the awarding of Outstanding Student Researcher awards and Research Mentor awards. These awards to students, faculty and staff celebrate applied research achievement at the College, and were presented by our Chancellor, Sally Horsfall Eaton. Each received a digital badge highlighting their achievements. Look for these to be displayed on their LinkedIn profiles!

Here is the list of student awardees:

• Savannah Allmin, School of Fashion Studies
• Lynn Bailey, School of Dental Health
• Ryan Billinger, School of Mechanical Engineering
• Nicholas Cramaro, School of Computer Technology
• Robert DeCaire, School of Computer Technology
• James Henderson, Angelo Del Zotto School of Construction Management
• Cody Nairn, Chef School
• Hyun Ju Jang, Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies
• Kai Tam, Sally Horsfall Eaton School of Nursing
• Hayley Turnbull, Chef School
• Holden Vetro, School of Fashion Studies

Outstanding Student Researcher Badge 2015

We also awarded a badge for Student Entrepreneur of the Year, as sponsored by startGBC, our Gateway to Entrepreneurship. This year's award went to:

• Jerry Gou, a recent graduate from the Centre for Business' School of Marketing was named the 2015 Student Entrepreneur of the Year. He co-created REACH, a mobile app for job hunters.

Outstanding Student Entrepreneur Badge 2015

As this was the first year we awarded Research Mentor badges we celebrated those from 2007-2014 as Outstanding Research Mentors:

• Steffanie Adams, Professor, School of Architectural Studies 
• Jean-Paul Amore, Professor, School of Design
• Lorraine Betts, Professor, Sally Horsfall Eaton School of Nursing
• Moira Cockburn, Professor,Chef School
• Julie Gaudet, Professor, Sally Horsfall Eaton School of Nursing
• Jamie McIntyre, Professor & Coordinator, School of Mechanical Engineering Technologies
• Leo Salemi, Professor & Coordinator, School of Mechanical Engineering Technologies
• Chris Timusk, Professor, Angelo Del Zotta School of Construction Management 

The 2015 Outstanding Research Mentors are:

• Debbie Bonfield, Professor, School of Health & Wellness 
• David Hu, Technician, School of Mechanical Engineering Technologies
• Jean Niravong, Professor, Sally Horsfall Eaton School of Nursing

Each received the Outstanding Research Mentor badge:

Outstanding Research Mentor Badge 2015

Industry partners and faculty and staff participated in panels on Shaping the Future with Technology, Shaping the Future for Social Benefit, and Shaping the Future of Students. The student panel that capped the day's event was a real highlight, as the students articulated the innovation literacy skills they have gained through applied research experience.

We were very pleased to honour past, present and upcoming members of our Innovation Advisory Board. The IAB has been providing strategic input and advice to the Research Office since 2008, ensuring our applied research and innovation services can meet the needs of our private and public sector partners. Our IAB members also received a digital badge - see this below.

Digital Badge for our Innovation Advisory Board members

Check out the conversation and photos on the Twitter feed from the day via the #gbcgalaxy and the story on the GBC News page.

This is what applied research looks like.