“The Canada Research Chairs program is about creating new research collaborations—within your own university, but also nationally and internationally,” says Dr. Bill Whelan, Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Optics.

It’s clear Whelan takes his responsibility to heart; his newest research project brings together laser optical technology from Stanford University, a molecular beacon invented at Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital, and an area of research that’s a specialty of AVC’s Maritime Quality Milk: bovine mastitis. More 

“Doctors don’t treat every infection that walks in the door with an antibiotic,” explains Dr. Greg Keefe. “They know the body’s immune system is designed to take care of many of them. That’s the type of wisdom we’re trying to bring to the dairy industry.” Keefe is director of Maritime Quality Milk, and one of UPEI’s two Innovation PEI Industry Research Chairs. “Right now, if a dairy cow develops mastitis, it’s automatic: the cow is put on antibiotics,” says Keefe. “But almost half the cases of mastitis can be cleared up without antibiotics. So what we needed was a simple way for farmers to determine whether their infected cows need treatment or not.”  More