Baycrest

ART MEETS SCIENCE IN THE BRAIN LANE Baycrest and OCAD University unveiled 60 unique art banners at Baycrest in April that aim to bridge the worlds of art and brain science in a visually engaging way. Thirty-four second-year students studying fibre arts and textile design in OCAD U's Material Art & Design program were paired with seven cognitive scientists from the Rotman Research Institute this past winter and challenged to create artistic representations of the scientists' research in aging and cognition. "We partnered with OCAD U on this project to raise the profile of Baycrest's cutting-edge research in memory and aging – and to communicate about it in a unique way that makes it accessible to the public," says Bianca Stern, director of Culture, Arts and Innovation at Baycrest. WATCH The students used a variety of techniques to create their ban- ners, incorporating photography, computer-generated graphics, textiles, block printing, silk screening, and watercolour paint- ing. The banners may become a travelling exhibit in future. EXPLORING THE ROLE OF ARTS IN HEALTH The Royal Conservatory is partnering with Baycrest on an innovative research study that is measuring how taking part in arts-based programs affects the health and well- being of older adults. Study participants are divided into three groups – story- telling, creative writing and creative movement – plus a control group. The hypothesis is that arts-based programs, provided by professionally trained artists, will have a posi- tive impact on the overall well-being of participants. "As we build credible evidence about the impact of the arts on health, we are also bringing together seniors, artists and health-care providers and creating a broader, more holistic conversation about healthy aging," says Bianca Stern, director of Culture, Arts and Innovation. The study is made possible through a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the study will have final results in 2013. Three students from OCAD University's 2nd year Fibre Arts program beside their winning art banners with Baycrest cognitive scientist Dr. Asaf Gilboa (in back). The students created interpretive banners to reflect Dr. Gilboa's research into understanding memory disturbances caused by brain damage and disease. PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL ATTENDS BRAIN RESEARCH ROUNDTABLE IN TORONTO WATCH WATCH His Excellency Shimon Peres, President of Israel (right), delivers his remarks at the May 9, 2012 brain research roundtable in Toronto. The event was hosted by Baycrest, in partnership with the Ontario Brain Institute and the Canada-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation. To the left of Peres is one of the roundtable innovation leaders, Dr. Randy McIntosh, vice-president of Research and director of the Rotman Research Institute. Panelists explored new technological approaches that could unlock the secrets of the human brain, and proposed increased interdisciplinary research among innovators in Ontario, Canada more broadly, and Israel to capitalize on these opportunities. "Our bilateral dialogue on the translation of research outcomes into commercial applications is truly timely," said Dr. William Reichman, President and CEO of Baycrest. "Baycrest is quickly becoming a leader in creating technology- based solutions to mitigate the impact of age-related illness and impairment…We look forward to strength- ening our partnerships with Israel as we catalyze the transfer of research concepts from the lab and clinic to the market." 2011/12 Baycrest and Baycrest Foundation Annual Report 21

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