Top university researchers discuss What Matters Now at McMichael art gallery as part of travelling Research Matters series

KLEINBURG, ON, April 4, 2014 /CNW/ - Pain management, plants that can replace plastic, underwater robots, Canadian culture, and exercise for those with physical disabilities will be in the spotlight as five top Ontario university researchers discuss "What Matters Now" at the beautiful home of the country's foremost collections of Canadian art.

The free public talk is the latest in the popular What Matters Now series, which is part of the Research Matters campaign. This campaign explores how Ontario university research improves the ways we live, work and play.

"Ontario university researchers are quite literally changing lives," says Bonnie M. Patterson, President and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities, which runs the annual Research Matters series. "We are proud of the tremendous advances they make in all aspects of our lives and this speaker series is intended to get the public excited about their work as well."

Hosted by public broadcaster Piya Chattopadhyay, the event will take place at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg on Wednesday, April 9 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Those who can't attend can watch a live stream online at: http://yourontarioresearch.ca/events/wht-matters-now/live-webcast/.

Researchers will also answer questions from the audience and via social media. Researchers taking part are:

• Kathleen Martin Ginis, McMaster University: How can Canadians with physical disabilities live more active lives?
  
  
• Irene Gammel, Ryerson University: What is missing from Canada's culture?
  
  
• Pierre Côté, University of Ontario Institute of Technology: What can be done about a pain in the neck?
  
  
• Emma Master, University of Toronto: Can plant materials replace plastic?
  
  
• Michael Jenkin, York University: Is there a robot in your future?

The final event in this year's speaker series will be held at Kingston's Memorial Hall on May 21.

University researchers are improving the health, happiness and richness of life for people around the world. Their work crosses all disciplines and not only changes lives but is essential to helping government, businesses and communities make informed decisions.

For more details on Research Matters please check out www.yourontarioresearch.ca and follow @OntarioResearch on Twitter.

COU is a membership organization of 21 publicly assisted universities in Ontario. It works closely with the provincial and federal governments to shape public policies that help universities deliver high-quality programs for students and advance the research and innovation that improves the social, cultural and economic well-being of Ontarians.

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SOURCE: Council of Ontario Universities

Wendy McCann, Director, Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Telephone: [phone] x233, Cell phone: [phone], Email Wendy McCann: [email protected]