World-class labs and fMRI suite will advance vision and neuroscience research

TORONTO, September 14, 2010 -- A new state-of-the-art health research centre which opened at York University today brings scientists who study the brain and vision, virtual reality and robots under one roof…a former hockey arena.

The Sherman Health Science Research Centre project has transformed the former York University Ice Arena, built in 1968 and known by many as the Ice Palace, into a sophisticated centre for interdisciplinary collaboration.

A $5 million investment by York University Foundation board member Honey Sherman and her husband Barry Sherman, president and chief executive officer of Apotex Inc., made the project possible.

“We are extremely thankful to Honey and Barry Sherman for their generosity,” said Mamdouh Shoukri, president and vice-chancellor of York University. “This unique new facility will strengthen our university’s research capacity, and enhance collaboration between researchers in the health, science and engineering fields.”

The centerpiece of the Sherman Health Science Research Centre is a neuroimaging laboratory with the latest functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) technology, which is critically important for research at York and future partnerships.

The $11.5-million retrofit project provides researchers from York’s world-renowned Centre for Vision Research (CVR) with additional space and new laboratories equipped for the most advanced vision health research. CVR members across York’s departments – including psychology, computer science & engineering, biology, and kinesiology & health science – will use the high-tech laboratories for research that has implications for health issues such as strokes, migraines, brain disorders and autism. Their research also has applications for human security, medical and assistive devices, aerospace and other industries.

Researchers from the School of Kinesiology & Health Science, in York’s Faculty of Health, will use laboratories on the second floor of the new facility to study topics such as ergonomics, obesity and lifestyle choices, and preventing musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace.

“The Sherman family gift is strategically important. It provides state-of-the-art infrastructure to keep our vision science and health science researchers at the top of their game,” said Stan Shapson, vice-president research & innovation at York. “We will break new ground at York as we increase the intensity of the research being carried out in the new facilities, recruit top faculty and graduate students, and undertake research that will lead to new discoveries that impact areas such as, health diagnoses and treatments, and safety in space travel.”

Honey and Barry Sherman said they are honoured to help York University enhance its research capacity.

“We are particularly delighted we can support research in the health sciences because this is an increasingly important area for research innovation. This facility and the work that will be undertaken will help strengthen Ontario’s global position in research and innovation,” said Dr.  Sherman.

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 Faculties and 28 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.

See high resolution images from the official opening here.

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Media Contacts:
Keith Marnoch, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x22091/ marnoch@yorku.ca
Janice Walls, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x22101/ wallsj@yorku.ca