LSO Breakfast Series

LSO Knowledge and Networking Breakfast

Expanding Science Research through Gaming and Virtual Reality

January 19th: 8 - 9:30am EST

Virtual Option Available

LSO’s Knowledge and Networking Breakfast Forum facilitates valuable professional development and networking opportunities. Issues impacting our industry are discussed and best practices are presented, providing an opportunity for community members to learn from each other. Events are held regularly (monthly or bi-monthly), and are subsidized by a modest registration fee. Breakfast is provided.

LSO’s Breakfast Meetings are a long-standing tradition, with the first event being held in September 1989, when LSO was known as TBI (Toronto Biotechnology Initiative). Since then, our “Breakfast Meetings” have become a signature event for the organization and continue to be an important offering to LSO members and our broader life sciences community.

Time:   

7:30 am - Registration/ Breakfast

8:00 am - 9:30 am - Presentations

9:30 am - 10:00 am – Networking

Where: 

RSM Canada
11 King Street West, Suite 700
Toronto, ON M5H 4C7

Speakers

• Jérôme Waldispühl, Structural Bioinformatics & Citizen Science, McGill University
• Sebastien Caisse, Co-Studio Head, Gearbox Entertainment
• Attila Szantner, CEO – Founder, Massively Multiplayer Online Science (MMOS)

Speakers will speak on their experience with connecting citizen science with video gaming and the impact it can make.

• Benjamin Alsbury-Nealy, Co-founder and CEO, SilicoLabs

Extended Reality (XR) provides clinicians and researchers with the power to fully create and control custom test environments. Recent research shows strong applicability of XR as a neuropsychological test for ADHD, PTSD, Alzheimer's [1] and providing therapy for mental health conditions (e.g. stress, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, OCD) [2]. XR solutions are cost-effective and ecologically valid, but limited in accessibility, as users must have technical expertise to create and administer experiences [2]. SilicoLabs is a Toronto-based startup that has developed no-code software allowing anyone to create their own XR experiences or simulations. SilicoLabs' software features behavioural monitoring and biosensor integrations, meaning any actions, movements and interactions occurring within XR environments, and corresponding biosensor data (e.g. EEG brain waves, pulse rates, breathing, spO2, etc.) are all reported as rich datasets. This data allows for a deep understanding of human behaviour, lending to better research on diagnostics/therapeutics and empowering interdisciplinary practitioners to innovate in their fields. A unique feature of SilicoLabs' software is the ability to test AI models on the same experiences or simulations as humans. This allows for the direct comparison of AI and human behaviour, critical for the development of human-like AI which could help reduce the strain on healthcare systems. For example, digital therapists or social robots for isolated older adults.

[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31739698/
[2] https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-115923

Sponsored by:

RSM Canada

RSM’s purpose is to deliver the power of being understood to our clients, colleagues and communities through world-class audit, tax and consulting services focused on middle market businesses. The clients we serve are the engine of global commerce and economic growth, and we are focused on developing leading professionals and services to meet their evolving needs in today’s ever-changing business environment.

RSM knows the research and science in your industry are just as important as the business side of your organization. We’re poised to help you stay focused on these key efforts while not sacrificing business growth and profitability goals. From the development stage to becoming a commercial organization and capitalizing on efficiencies and new opportunities, our life sciences professionals can help guide you every step of the way. For more information about RSM Canada, visit rsmcanada.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and/or connect with us on LinkedIn.

Life Sciences Talent Accelerator Program

Together with many partners, BioTalent Canada is leading the development of the LifeSciences Talent Accelerator (LifeSciencesTA) program to create industry-ready new talent for Ontario’s Life Sciences industry. The LifeSciencesTA is being funded by Ontario’s  Ministry of Colleges and Universities and BioTalent Canada is partnering with Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson), Sheridan College, Life Sciences Ontario and the Mississauga Board of Trade for the development and delivery of the program.

After receiving valuable feedback from 45 survey respondents including mostly senior-level professionals, we have been able to better understand the areas most important to the industry and the LifeSciencesTA learning modules have been defined, please see below for your information.

The LifeSciencesTA is a virtual asset platform with activities to provide industry-specific exposure, training and experiential learning opportunities for program participants from diverse backgrounds. By establishing this link between new talent and industry, the program will provide an effective transition to employment in Ontario’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences sector for local new graduates, and provide value-add talent to this vital industry.