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Brain Canada Invests in Six Montreal-Area Platforms to Drive Open Science Innovation

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MONTRÉAL, May 16, 2025 /CNW/ – Six exceptional research platforms located in Montreal have been awarded funding through Brain Canada’s Platform Support Grants program. With this support, these platforms will foster partnerships across research disciplines and power solutions for people living with brain conditions. From biobanks to databases and standardized protocols, these unique platforms highlight the significant role infrastructure plays in Canada’s research ecosystem.

The Canadian Open Neuroscience Platform
Dr. Alan Evans, The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill UniversityThe Douglas-Bell Canada Brain Bank: Supporting human brain research in Canada and beyond
Dr. Gustavo Turecki and Dr. Naguib Mechawar, Douglas Institute, McGill UniversityAdvancing Brain Research Through Spatial Histology
Dr. Marie-Christine Guiot, Goodman Cancer Institute and The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill UniversityThe SLEEP HUB: An open science ecosystem for transforming sleep research
Dr. Nadia Gosselin, CIUSSS du Nord de l’Île-de-Montréal and Université de MontréalEthoLab: A platform for neurophysiological studies of natural behavior
Dr. Paul Cisek, Centre for Biomedical Innovation, Université de MontréalThe NECTAr platform: A pan-Canadian platform dedicated to Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy — For patient Care optimization, Training, and education
Dr. Pia Wintermark, The Montreal Children’s Hospital and The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Child Health and Human Development Program)   

Brain Canada’s flagship Platform Support Grants (PSG) program aims to support interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance Canada’s technical and research capabilities through shared tools and databases, to transform research into real world impact.

“Unlocking the brain’s complexities depends on reliable infrastructure and open access to scientific tools,” said Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada. “This investment will strengthen a culture of Open Science so that specialized knowledge can benefit everyone.”

Brain Canada is contributing over $18 million in this year’s PSG program through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), funded by Health Canada, as well as matching donations from sponsors for a total investment of $36.8 million.

By enabling access to cutting-edge tools and specialized skills beyond the reach of individual researchers, the PSG program plays a vital role in strengthening the research landscape. These Montreal based platforms serve as hubs for researchers to work together towards the common mission of advancing our understanding of neuroscience and mental health.

Over the coming weeks, Brain Canada will unveil the full list of 14 research platforms selected to receive PSG funding. The total investment of $36.8 million represents a major step forward in Canada’s ability to support cutting-edge brain research and improve outcomes for people living with brain-disorders.

Brain Canada is proud to highlight these six platforms that are driving progress not only in Montreal but across Canada, and around the world.

ABOUT THE PROJECTS

The Canadian Open Neuroscience Platform (CONP)

Dr. Alan Evans, The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill University

Total grant amount: $2,850,000.00

Many of the challenges faced by both basic and clinical neuroscientists can be tackled with open science approaches. To achieve these goals, Dr. Evans and his team have built the Canadian Open Neuroscience Platform (CONP), which aims to make neuroscience research, data, and tools accessible to everyone, with the ultimate objective of accelerating scientific discovery and its eventual translation to disease treatments. Through CONP’s online portal that provides open access to datasets and analysis tools, its “Evidence” open publication platform, and its development of data governance frameworks and toolkits to facilitate open data sharing, the platform takes a truly multifaceted approach to enabling Open Science practices in the field of neuroscience.

The Douglas-Bell Canada Brain Bank: Supporting human brain research in Canada and beyond

Dr. Gustavo Turecki and Dr. Naguib Mechawar, Douglas Institute, McGill University

Total grant amount: $2,850,000.00

The Douglas-Bell Canada Brain Bank (DBCBB; douglasbrainbank.ca), one of the most important brain banks in the world, currently houses and manages over 3,600 brains, as well as a large relational database containing demographic, clinical and developmental histories from brain donors with different neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease) and mental disorders (e.g., schizophrenia and substance use disorders). Through international recognition, the DBCBB receives tissue requests from a large number of neuroscientists from Canada and abroad. These continued efforts ensure that the platform will keep fuelling ground-breaking neuroscience research that will have immense potential for impact in the future, including identifying, screening and treatment for brain disorders.

Advancing Brain Research Through Spatial Histology

Dr. Marie-Christine Guiot, Goodman Cancer Institute and The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill University

Total grant amount: $570,000.00

The Histology Innovation Platform is a specialized facility that helps scientists study the brain at a cellular level to better understand neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, brain cancer, and epilepsy. Through offering services such as tissue preparation, staining, and advanced imaging, as well as supporting research using technologies that map gene and protein activity within intact tissues, the platform acts as a key resource for projects that aim to find new treatments, diagnostic tools, and ways to improve patient outcomes by exploring how different brain cells interact and change in disease. By supporting this platform, Brain Canada is helping to advance research that could lead to better treatments for neurological diseases, ultimately improving the health and well-being of Canadians.

The SLEEP HUB: An open science ecosystem for transforming sleep research

Dr. Nadia Gosselin, CIUSSS du Nord de l’Île-de-Montréal and Université de Montréal

Total grant amount: $2,137,500.00

The SLEEP HUB is an innovative platform aimed at advancing sleep research and fostering collaborations at the local, national, and international level. Integrating three key resources, the Nights Bank, the Canadian Sleep Research Biobank, and the Snooz Toolbox, SLEEP HUB provides a vast collection of samples and data, including over 50,000 biological samples and sleep recordings from 15,000 participants. With the aim of developing a more integrated platform that will facilitate access to biological samples, sleep recordings and sleep analysis tools, SLEEP HUB will facilitate analyses on large samples and rare sleep disorders by providing researchers with access to polysomnographic recordings and biological samples. This robust platform infrastructure will transform our understanding and treatment of sleep disorders, which will benefit cognitive, physical and mental health.

EthoLab: A platform for neurophysiological studies of natural behavior

Dr. Paul Cisek, Centre for Biomedical Innovation, Université de Montréal

Total grant amount: $855,000.00

Technological advances such as wireless recording and AI-based automated quantification of behavior allow neuroscience to address the complexity of real behavior under naturalistic conditions. This allows scientists to better understand how different systems (e.g., perceptual, motor, cognitive, emotional, etc.) are seamlessly integrated during real-time interactions with the environment. The EthoLab will make use of these advances to establish a cutting-edge, shared experimental platform that will enable a wide range of neurophysiological experiments with freely moving animals. This platform will make it possible to study situations that capture the complexity of natural behavior and yield insights into the human brain that will translate to clinical applications with impacts in the real-world.

The NECTAr platform: A pan-Canadian platform dedicated to Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy — For patient Care optimization, Training, and educAtion

Dr. Pia Wintermark, The Montreal Children’s Hospital and The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Child Health and Human Development Program)   

Total grant amount: $1,710,000.00

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can be caused at birth when babies do not receive enough oxygen to their brain and organs. While this life-threatening condition is responsible for 23% of babies’ deaths worldwide and often results in difficulties with learning and everyday functioning, there is currently no treatment to repair brain damage caused by HIE. The NECTAr platform will address this gap by creating a national, collaborative, and multidisciplinary platform focused on improving the care and long-term outcomes of babies with HIE. More specifically, the platform’s priorities include improving early treatments by collecting extensive data and comparing practices across hospitals, developing and testing new therapies to repair brain damage, empowering parents through their journey, and training the next generation of doctors and scientists to care for these vulnerable babies.

SOURCE Brain Canada

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Great Place To Work names Invisors on the 2026 Best Workplaces for Women List, Ranking no.65

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Invisors named a UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™!

GLASGOW, Scotland, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Invisors, a Workday Services Partner has officially been recognized as one of UK’s Best Workplaces for Women 2026™, in 65th place out of the 350 ranked organisations.

Invisors’ values and culture are among the reasons women at our organisation say it is a great place to work. Discover how the team brings this philosophy to life at invisors.com/company-overview.

The 2026 UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list is made up of employers whose people have told Great Place To Work® UK they work for a place that is inclusive and equitable for all. The 350 companies on the list are committed to ensuring a reasonable balance of women and men across the organisation; removing barriers to women’s career advancement; and creating workplaces where all employees, regardless of gender, can flourish.

“I’m incredibly proud to see Invisors recognized as a Top Place for Women to Work. This award reflects the culture we’ve built together—one that values inclusivity, flexibility and empowerment. It’s a place where people are supported to bring their whole selves to work, grow their careers and strive for excellence every day.” Jennifer Donnelly-Corbett, EMEA Manager, HCM and Absence at Invisors.

Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place To Work UK says:

“This year’s UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list celebrates businesses making a genuine difference day to day, not just in what they say, but in how people experience work. What matters most is that this recognition comes directly from women working in these organisations, who tell us they feel supported, valued, and able to grow.

Our research demonstrates that these organisations creating high-trust environments deliver stronger results, whether in financial outcomes, impact, or service delivery, alongside greater agility and resilience in the face of change.

Congratulations to Invisors for creating an environment where inclusion is clearly felt in practice.” 

Matt Smith, Managing Director, Global HR Operations, Invisors “Being named as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list is an achievement because it reflects what our people actually experience, not just what we aspire to. We’ve worked to build an environment where career growth and success aren’t something women have to fight for — it’s built into how we operate. This recognition is a great step in the journey, not the finish line, and we’re committed to keeping that bar high as Invisors grows within the UK.”

About Invisors

As a certified Workday Services Partner, Invisors helps clients leverage their organisational data to make better-informed business decisions through the deployment of Workday. Invisors’ success is measured by their clients’ ability to achieve their big-picture vision. From initial deployments to ongoing projects, Invisors is dedicated to elevating perspectives and transforming results. To learn more, visit invisors.com

About Great Place To Work®

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, helping organisations to create exceptional, high-performing workplaces where employees feel trusted and valued. The UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™ enables these outstanding organisations to celebrate their achievements, build their employer brand, and inspire others to take action. For more information, visit www.greatplacetowork.co.uk.

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SOURCE Invisors

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Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, Makes It Easy to Shop for Used Vehicles Online

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RALEIGH, N.C., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, helps shoppers browse used-vehicle inventory, compare options, and complete key steps of the buying process online for a faster, more convenient shopping experience.

Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, is simplifying the used vehicle shopping experience by offering convenient online tools that help drivers browse inventory, compare options, and begin the purchasing process from the comfort of home.

With a user-friendly website, shoppers can explore an extensive selection of used cars, trucks, and SUVs that fit a variety of budgets and lifestyles. Detailed vehicle listings provide important information, including photos, key features, specifications, pricing, and availability, allowing customers to make informed decisions before visiting the dealership.

The online platform also makes it easy to narrow vehicle choices using search filters for make, model, body style, price range, mileage, model year, and other preferences. These features help shoppers quickly find vehicles that meet their individual needs while saving valuable time.

In addition to browsing inventory, customers can use several digital shopping tools to streamline the buying process. Visitors can estimate monthly payments, value a trade-in, complete a finance application, and schedule a test drive online. These resources allow shoppers to prepare for their dealership visit with greater confidence and convenience.

Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, regularly updates its online inventory, giving customers access to fresh vehicle selections as they become available. Whether someone is searching for a dependable commuter car, a family-friendly SUV, or a capable pickup truck, the website provides an efficient way to explore available options before stepping into the showroom.

The dealership remains committed to delivering a straightforward, customer-focused buying experience by combining a wide range of high-quality used vehicles with digital tools that simplify every stage of the shopping journey.

Drivers looking to begin their search can visit Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, or browse the current inventory online to compare vehicles and take advantage of convenient shopping resources before visiting the dealership in person.

About Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC

Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, offers a diverse inventory of quality used cars, trucks, and SUVs to meet a wide range of driving needs and budgets. By combining a customer-focused approach with convenient online shopping tools, the dealership helps make finding and purchasing a used vehicle simple, efficient, and enjoyable.

Media Contact: Tony Kicinski, 844-678-8048, tonyk@auctiondirectusa.com

 

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SOURCE Auction Direct USA

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FLAGSTAR BANK, N.A. ANNOUNCES $250 MILLION SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

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Board of Directors Authorizes Repurchase of Up to $250 Million of Outstanding Common Stock, Reflecting the Bank’s Strong Capital Position and Commitment to Long-Term Shareholder Value

HICKSVILLE, N.Y., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Flagstar Bank, N.A. (NYSE: FLG) (the “Bank”) today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a common stock repurchase program under which the Bank may repurchase up to $250 million of its outstanding common stock over the next 12-month period.

Commenting on the repurchase program, Joseph M. Otting, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are pleased to announce our stock buyback program, which reflects the meaningful progress we have made in executing our strategic plan, the strength of the balance sheet, and Flagstar’s long-term growth prospects. We have consistently maintained capital levels well above regulatory requirements, and we believe that returning capital to our shareholders through a share repurchase program represents a compelling and disciplined use of our excess capital at this time.

“We remain deeply committed to serving our customers and communities and we are confident that this program — alongside our continued investment in our people, products, systems, and technology — will deliver sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders.”

Repurchases may be conducted through open-market purchases, which may include purchases under a trading plan adopted pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b5-1, or through privately negotiated transactions. The timing and exact amount of any share repurchases will be subject to a variety of factors, including the availability of stock for repurchases, the Bank’s capital position and financial performance, regulatory considerations, and general market conditions. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Bank to acquire any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time without prior notice. Any future stock repurchase programs would be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors and other various factors, including the Bank’s liquidity, capital position and financial performance, accounting and regulatory considerations, and general market conditions.

Flagstar Bank, N.A.

Flagstar Bank, N.A. is one of the largest regional banks in the country and is headquartered in Hicksville, New York. At June 30, 2026, the Bank had $87.7 billion of assets, $61.2 billion of loans, deposits of $67.5 billion, and total stockholders’ equity of $8.1 billion. Flagstar Bank, N.A. operates approximately 340 locations across nine states, with strong footholds in the greater New York/New Jersey metropolitan region and in the upper Midwest, along with a significant presence in fast-growing markets in Florida and the West Coast.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Language

This press release may include forward‐looking statements by us and our authorized officers pertaining to such matters as our goals, beliefs, intentions, and expectations regarding, among other things: (a) revenues, earnings, loan production, asset quality, liquidity position, capital levels, risk analysis, divestitures, acquisitions, and other material transactions, among other matters; (b) the future costs and benefits of the actions we may take; (c) our assessments of credit risk and probable losses on loans and associated allowances and reserves; (d) our assessments of interest rate and other market risks; (e) our ability to achieve profitability goals within projected timeframes and to execute on our strategic plan, including the sufficiency of our internal resources, procedures and systems; (f) our ability to execute our capital management strategies, including our ability to complete our current stock repurchase program and to implement future stock repurchase programs; (g) our ability to attract, incentivize, and retain key personnel and the roles of key personnel; (h) our ability to achieve our financial and other strategic goals, including those related to our recent holding company reorganization, which was completed in October 2025 (the “Reorganization”), our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., which was completed in December 2022, our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, which was completed in March 2023, and our ability to comply with the heightened regulatory standards with respect to governance and risk management programs to which we are subject as a national bank with assets of $50 billion or more; (i) the impact of the $1.05 billion capital raise we completed in March 2024; (j) the conversion or exchange of shares of our preferred stock; (k) the payment of dividends on shares of our capital stock, including adjustments to the amount of dividends payable on shares of our preferred stock; (l) the dilution of existing equity holders associated with future equity awards and stock issuances; (m) the effects of the reverse stock split we effected in July 2024; and (n) the impact of the 2024 sale of our mortgage servicing operations, third party mortgage loan origination business, and mortgage warehouse business.

Forward‐looking statements are typically identified by such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “should,” “confident,” and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Additionally, forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; we do not assume any duty, and do not undertake, to update our forward‐looking statements. Furthermore, because forward‐looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in our statements, and our future performance could differ materially from our historical results.

Our forward‐looking statements are subject to, among others, the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities, credit and financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including associated allowances and reserves; changes in future allowance for credit losses, including changes required under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; the ability to pay future dividends; the ability to implement future stock repurchase programs, which are subject to the approval of the Board of Directors and other various factors, including the Bank’s liquidity, capital position, and financial performance, accounting and regulatory considerations, as well as general market conditions; changes in our capital management and balance sheet strategies and our ability to successfully implement such strategies; our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Reorganization; changes in our Board of Directors and our executive management team; changes in our strategic plan, including changes in our internal resources, procedures and systems, and our ability to successfully implement such plan; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non‐financial institutions; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; changes relating to rent regulation and housing, including recent legislative action in New York City to freeze rents on certain rent-regulated properties; the impacts of tariffs, sanctions and other trade policies of the United States and its global trading counterparts; the outcome of federal, state, and local elections and the resulting economic and other impact on the areas in which we conduct business; the impact of changing political conditions or federal government shutdowns; the imposition of restrictions on our operations by bank regulators; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of investigations or any other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; our ability to comply with heightened regulatory standards with respect to governance and risk management programs to which we are subject as a national bank with assets of $50 billion or more; the restructuring of our mortgage business; our ability to achieve anticipated cost savings and enhanced efficiencies with respect to our balance sheet and expense reduction strategies; the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of our operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, civil unrest, international military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties and/or are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties with respect to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, which was completed in December 2022, and our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, which was completed in March 2023: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility of increased legal and compliance costs, including with respect to any litigation or regulatory actions related to the business practices of acquired companies or the combined business; diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that we may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in or as a result of the transactions within the expected timeframes or at all; and revenues following the transactions may be lower than expected.

More information regarding some of these factors is provided in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10‐K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in other reports we file with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and voluntarily file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and which are also available on our Investor Relations website. Our forward‐looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss in this news release, on our conference call, during investor presentations, or in our securities disclosure filings. All such files are accessible on our website at ir.flagstar.com, on the OCC’s website at www.occ.gov, and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Investor Contact:
Salvatore J. DiMartino
(516) 683-4286

Media Contact:
Jessica Torchia
(248) 312-6451

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SOURCE Flagstar Bank, N.A.

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