Creating a cluster of expertise

It’s a research and training program called RADIANT — and word that it’s a go has Aaron Newman positively beaming.

RADIANT—an acronym for Rehabilitative and Diagnostic Innovations in Applied Neuro Technology — is a six-year project with the aim of training more than 120 undergraduate and graduate students in the interdisciplinary field of neurotechnology.

Dal at the forefront

“It’s really exciting ... There’s not another program like this anywhere in the world,” says Dr. Newman, associate professor in Dalhousie’s Departments of Psychology, Psychiatry, Surgery, and Pediatrics. “It’s an opportunity to be at the forefront and establish ourselves as a world leader in this area of neurotechnology.”

Neurotechnology is defined as technology concerned with electronic and engineering methods of understanding and affecting nervous system function. In part because of our society’s aging population, the market for neurotechnology products is poised to experience dramatic growth in the next 10 to 15 years, says Dr. Newman.

Neurotechnologies include software and devices for sensory, motor and cognitive assessment and training, brain imaging, drugs and drug delivery systems targeted at specific brain diseases. Dalhousie-developed examples include bone-anchored hearing aids and games to keep aging brains fit.

“We’re developing a neurotechnology cluster in Halifax. The NRC (National Research Council) has three neuroscience labs and we’re seeing companies spin off as things develop,” he says. Dalhousie has also been building expertise in the expanding field; Dal professors working with Dr. Newman on RADIANT as co-applicants include Manohar Bance, head of the Ear and Auditory Research Laboratory at Dal; Ryan D’Arcy with the Neuroscience Institute; Gail Eskes with the Department of Psychiatry; Ray Klein and Shannon Johnson, of the Department of Psychology, Thomas Trappenberg with the Faculty of Computer Science; and Donald Weaver, Canada Research Chair in Clinical Neuroscience.

RADIANT has just been awarded funding to the tune of $1.65 million through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) — with matching funds from Dalhousie University and from local and international businesses.

'Entrepreneurial neuroscientists'

But learning research skills is only a part of RADIANT. The other focus is providing the communication skills and business smarts students heading out in the job market need. The idea is to produce “entrepreneurial neuroscientists.”

“Research is only half the story,” emphasizes Dr. Newman. “There’s a growing awareness that the way science discoveries make a difference in when they become commercialized ... we’re hoping this program will give students the opportunity to see how things work in the commercial sector.”

The interdisciplinary RADIANT will have a certificate program and free-standing graduate program in Translational Neuroscience. The two programs include a research-based project, thesis or dissertation (depending on the level of the student); biweekly seminars; new graduate courses focusing on professional skills development; professional workshops; a summer institute in which students from different disciplines will work together on projects; and internships with Dal’s partners in industry or government.