Page 7 - Synapse Survey 2021
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The private sector plays the central role in driving Mohawk College’s IDEAWORKS fills the space
the commercialization of life science innovation. between research and solutions by delivering
In Hamilton there is a strong supporting cast of customized support to organizations. IDEAWORKS
public-sector and non-profit organizations providing is an active hub of applied research and innovation
support. These include incubators/ accelerators (e.g., that enables Mohawk faculty, staff, and students
Innovation Factory, The Forge), specialized capital to collaborate with industry partners to complete
(e.g., Bay Area Health Trust, AngelOne), professional real-world projects. IDEAWORKS specializes in
services (e.g., Gowlings, FYELABS), research centres eHealth/mHealth, Medical Technologies, Energy,
and institutes (e.g., Population Health Research Internet of Things (IoT) and Additive Manufacturing.
Institute, Centre for Probe Development and Projects aim to address specific industry needs and
Commercialization), post-secondary institutions to provide small businesses and other organizations
(e.g., McMaster University, Mohawk College), with access to Mohawks outstanding resources to
hospitals/care providers (e.g., Hamilton Health become more productive, innovative, and complete.
Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton) as well Mohawk College is a recognized leader in health
as government and public service (e.g., Hamilton and technology education and consistently ranks
Economic Development, Hamilton Chamber). among the top 10 colleges in Canada for applied
research – ranked #1 in terms of paid student
At the centre of every successful life science cluster researchers (353). Mohawk is known for developing
are hospital and academic institutions directing work-ready students ready to begin their career –
significant resources towards general and applied 86% of graduates are working within six months of
research. Home to four nationally recognized graduating.
leaders in research, Hamilton is no exception. In
2021, McMaster University was once again named The past two years have been difficult for many as
Canada’s most research-intensive university for the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the stability
the fourth year running while Mohawk College and continuity of many SMEs in the community.
ranked as Canada’s fourth most research-intensive However, in times of crisis, innovation moves us
college. Hamilton is also a regional hub for health forward. St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton quickly
care and professional training, possessing hospitals realized this as researchers at the hospital developed
that employ some of the most talented medical novel supplies and methods for high-throughput
professionals in Canada. Hamilton Health Sciences COVID-19 testing due to the continuous shortage
is the second largest and fourth most research- of critical lab supplies caused by the pandemic.
intensive hospital in Canada while St. Josephs With the implementation of advanced robotics
Healthcare Hamilton is home to the Research the hospital has seen their novel high-throughput
Institute, which oversees the work of over 200 molecular test become implemented in labs across
researchers and their teams. Ontario. Meanwhile, Hamilton Health Sciences
invested an additional $14.6 million into their health
Hamilton’s two globally renowned academic system to aid on their COVID-19 response, which
institutions, McMaster University and Mohawk included a significant project worth $2.5 million
College, enrolled 62,000 students in the past that saw the addition of 250 stretchers to support
academic year – over 50% of whom are enrolled in the city’s pandemic response. Hamilton also saw
a STEM program. In addition to current students, a shortage in PPE equipment, leading to local
there are 7,172 newly graduated STEM students – companies Whitebird and Forsythe Lubricants
13% of whom earned a graduate degree. McMaster pivoting their existing manufacturing capacity and
University is one of only four Canadian universities product offerings to provide PPE equipment to aid
consistently ranked in the world’s top 100, with a in Hamilton’s fight against the virus.
proud tradition of academic and research excellence.
Pushing the boundaries of knowledge through their Finally, the Synapse Life Science Consortium
ground-breaking teaching and their world-class acts as strategic broker for the cluster, facilitating
interdisciplinary research. McMaster’s problem-based collaborations, accelerating commercialization, and
and student-centred approach to learning – The promoting the growing sector across Ontario and
McMaster Model – is recognized around the world. around the world.
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