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16 GEORGIANVIEW 2019-20 WINTER Georgian College is known for its excellence in postsecondary education and its importance as a significant driver of the regional economy. One of the ways Georgian is able to serve both functions so well is through departments like Research and Innovation that synergistically support student learning objectives while helping local companies become more competitive. Research and Innovation began in 2010 as the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI). CARI focused on small-scale, industry-led business projects involving engineering and design, as well as prototype creation and testing. Dr. Mira Ray joined the department as Director, Research and Innovation in 2015, bringing with her a background in cancer research (she earned a Master's degree in biochemistry, a Doctorate in molecular biology and did a post-Doctoral fellowship focusing on breast cancer) and she worked as a management consultant with McKinsey and Company after completing her Master's of Business Administration. Under Mira's leadership, the department consulted with economic development offices and businesses in the region to determine how best to serve local industry's needs. Since then, Research and Innovation has streamlined and focused its functions around five research themes — competitive smart manufacturing, community health and wellness, environmental sustainability, social innovation, and marine technologies — and work on over 100 projects a year. "We help companies with research and development TRANSFORMING INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE Dr. Mira Ray RESEARCH AND INNOVATION