The Hon. Brad Duguid will present the ORION Leadership Awards recognizing High School, College and University leaders, at the THINK Conference on April 16

TORONTO, April 10, 2012 /CNW/ - The ORION Leadership Awards recognize innovation leadership in Ontario's e‐Infrastructure, Higher Education, and the K‐12 sectors. On April 16th at ORION's inaugural THINK Conference The Hon. Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development an Innovation will present Leadership Awards to 16‐year old student Marshall Zang (K‐12 Schools), Sheridan College's John Helliker (Higher Education), and University of Toronto professor Dr. Shana Kelley (E‐Infrastructure).

• At the young age of 16, Marshall Zhang is a rising star in research and innovation. In May, 2011 Marshall was awarded first place at the 2011 Sanofi‐Aventis BioTalent Challenge, a national science competition. Marshall discovered a new combination of drugs that could be used to treat cystic fibrosis.
  
• Before joining Sheridan College in 2005, John Helliker worked for over two decades as in the Canadian film and television industry. As its Director, John has led the development of the Screen Industries Research and Training (SIRT) Centre established by Sheridan College in partnership with Pinewood Toronto Studios.
  
• Dr. Shana Kelley is a professor and Director of Bimolecular Sciences in the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto. The Kelley group develops new sensors and probes for the detection and diagnosis of disease and the study of biological function.

The Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION) is Ontario's advanced technology fibre optic network that connects our research and education sectors. ORION is convening the inaugural THINK Conference to focus the organizations it serves to focus on collaboration, sharing best practices and developing ideas that lead to innovative solutions.

In addition to presenting the 2012 ORION Leadership Awards, the THINK Conference will feature Ontario thought leaders challenging their peers to embrace innovation. Speakers and workshop leaders include: Laurentian University President, Dominic Giroux; IT & Business Strategy Visionary, David Ticoll; Anne Sado, President of George Brown College; Gerry Connelly, Co Director of the Sustainable Education Academy at York University; Daniela Crivianu‐Gaita, VP & CIO, The Hospital for Sick Children; Ilse Treurnicht, CEO of MaRS Discovery District; and Dr. Harvey P. Weingarten, President and CEO of The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario.

For further information:

Media Enquiries:
Edward Nixon, EN Consulting
416‐605‐6311
[e-mail]

Interview Requests:
Sabrina Kandasamy, ORION
Director, Interactive Marketing
416.507.9860 ext. 250
[e-mail]

Schedule and registration at: http://www.thinkconference.ca/