who we are

The Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) is a provincially funded, not-for-profit organization that accelerates discovery and innovation, benefiting both patients and the economy. Looking forward to the next ten years, we will keep our vision to position Ontario as a world leader in brain research, commercialization, and care as our top driver. And we promise to improve everyday life for the one in three individuals in the province impacted by a brain disorder.

featured stories

OBI’s collaborative approach to research aims to enhance the neuroscience system, grow the province’s neurotechnology cluster, and improve brain health for Ontarians. Read on to see real-life examples of how we realize this through our ‘team science’ approach, where researchers, clinicians, industry, patients, and their advocates are brought together to foster discovery and develop innovative products and services.

Brain-CODE ramps up efforts to accelerate global research on brain disorders

Integration by design: the EONS project

In Their Own Words: New videos showcase stories about youth mental health

Advancing Knowledge More Stories

Supporting Community Care More Stories

Investing in Brain Health More Stories

impact at a glance

OBI strives to have a positive impact on the abilities and performance of its partners and stakeholders to make Ontario a world leader in brain research, commercialization, and care.

LEGEND :

OBI-WIDE

RESEARCH SYSTEM

NEUROTECH CLUSTER

BRAIN HEALTH

†2021-2022

*Cumulative

what’s our impact?

Attendees at Events

10,078

Leveraged

$280M

Jobs Supported

141

Publications

145

Open Data Access Requests

280

Intern Follow-On Employment

79%

Follow-On Investment Into Companies

#214M

ROI Of Portfolio Companies

Audience Reached

1,119,510

who are we?

Partners

Highly
Qualified
Personnel

665

Researchers

212

Brain-CODE
users

1,007

Entrepreneurs

Interns

174

Portfolio
Companies

Community
Partners

what do we do?

Events
Supported

Clinical
Trials

Participants
with data in
Brain-CODE

26,601

Projects with
Companies

Intellectual
Property
Granted

Patient
Partnership
Activities

289

Knowledge
Products
Produced

438

Partnerships with
Community and
Frontline Care

download infographic

culture at OBI

Work life balance has a whole new meaning now and looking ahead, as the hybrid life is here to stay. Working from home and at the office has given us the best of both worlds: providing more efficient use of our time, increased productivity, and the flexibility in how and where we work.

At OBI, we have made the most of this new reality by engaging staff virtually and in person, as we adjust to a new normal. Social experiences were enjoyed live, both together and through our computer screens.

Here is how our OBI staff spent time over the course of 2021 and 2022.

- Step Challenge 2021. Once again, over the course of 5 weeks, we had staff teams walk their way to a total of 1,875,186 steps - that's like walking from the OBI office to Kenora, Ontario!

- Halloween 2021. Costume optional! We gathered Zoom-style, with Halloween virtual backgrounds, carved pumpkins, and shared past stories.

- Virtual Holiday Celebration 2021. Staff joined in with their winter name, played Kahoot Trivia, participated in a home scavenger hunt and won OBI Staff Awards (the OBIEs).

- Minutes of Meditation, calm and relaxation is the name of the game! Guided through original meditations online, set to soothing music, staff were able to destress. Try a session via the OBI blog!

- Board Reception 2022, where we acknowledged and thanked retiring Board members as well as welcomed new ones! A light reception at the OBI office included staff and leadership.

- In-Person Social Potluck 2022. Good food and fun games were on the agenda for the first potluck at the OBI office since 2019. We enjoyed Pictionary and a ruthless Cornhole competition!

reflections on the past year

2022 Message from the Chair of the Board of Directors

Read what inspired Todd Vienneau >

2022 Message from the President & Scientific Director

See what Dr. Mikkelsen is looking forward to at OBI >

leadership

board of directors

Motivated by a goal of improving the lives of the one in three Canadians living with a brain disorder, OBI’s Board of Directors and advisory committees supported an integrated and collaborative approach to scientific discovery that harnesses Ontario’s expertise in neuroscience research. We are grateful for their leadership.