Shared on behalf of Dr. Christopher Mushquash, Vice President Research, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Chief Scientist, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute
With gratitude and appreciation, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI), would like to acknowledge the significant contributions of Dr. Roxanne Deslauriers, who recently retired as Scientific Advisor of TBRHRI to spend more time with her family. Thank you, Dr. Deslauriers, for your many years of dedication to furthering of health research in Northwestern Ontario.
Dr. Deslauriers came to TBRHRI in 2013 as Scientific Director, bringing with her more than 40 years of experience in research. Her extensive background includes a BSc in Experimental Biology and a PhD in Physical Biochemistry. Prior to her work with TBRHRI, she was a staff member at the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada (1972 – 2013) where she conducted research in biomedical applications of magnetic resonance and became Principal Research Officer. From 1999 – 2013 she was Director of Research and Director of Strategic Programs for the NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics. She has held Adjunct Professorships at the University of Ottawa, the University of Illinois, the University of Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba and Lakehead University as well as lectureships and visiting professor/scholar appointments at the University of Toronto, Harbin Medical University (China) and Queen’s University (Kingston, Canada). She was also an Associate Professor at NOSMU and an External Adjunct Professor at Lakehead University. She published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and lectured widely on biomedical applications of magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. In 2003, Dr. Deslauriers was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal by the Government of Canada.
During her time as Scientific Director at TBRHRI, she stepped up as Acting CEO of the Research Institute while recruitment to fill the role permanently was underway. In 2017, upon retirement, Dr. Deslauriers became Scientific Advisor of the Research Institute. In her role, Dr. Deslauriers worked to strengthen the culture of collaboration among TBRHRI scientists, mentored scientists to improve prospects for funding, facilitated networking across Ontario and Canada and supported scientists’ research program development. She also played an integral role in mentoring the next generation of scientists through participation in the SHAD program, where high school students were invited to the Research Institute to explore potential career opportunities in patient-centred research. Students had the chance to interact with scientists and toured the research areas of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. This provided an opportunity for TBRHRI researchers to showcase their work and how it can benefit patient care, as well as highlighting the variety of academic and professional options that exist in science and research. She was a generous volunteer and mentor to a great many scientists and future scientists.
Dr. Deslauriers was influential in ensuring we continued to uphold our mandate of facilitating clinical research strategic to the health care needs of the region, while always keeping a patient-centred focus. Thank you, Roxanne, for your service to TBRHRI. Your innovative ideas and leadership have brought real and meaningful scientific advancement for health care issues relevant to the people of Northwestern Ontario.