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. With a vision to establish Ontario as a world leader in brain research, commercialization and care, our collaborative approach to research aims to enhance the neuroscience research system, grow the province’s neurotechnology cluster, and improve the lives of the one in three Ontarians living with a brain disorder.

featured stories

OBI works to accelerate solutions that improve brain health. Read on to see real-life examples of how we realize this through our ‘team science’ model, where researchers, clinicians, industry, patients, and their advocates are brought together to amplify treatments and services already in use in the province, or to create new pathways to care.

From Collection to Connection: How Brain-CODE is accelerating research through data sharing

Innovative new program for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease

CAN-BIND: ENABLE-ing strides in depression research

Brain Health in Ontario: What we learned and how it was shared

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

†2022-2023

*Cumulative

what’s our impact?

Attendees
at Events †

19,473

Leveraged *

$330M

Jobs
Supported †

191

Publications †

Open Data
Access
Requests *

335

Intern
Follow-On
Employment *

80%

Follow-On
Investment Into
Companies *

$304M

ROI Of
Portfolio
Companies *

22X

Audience
Reached *

1.4M

who are we?

Partners †

Highly
Qualified
Personnel †

613

Researchers †

167

Brain-CODE
users *

1,100

Entrepreneurs *

Interns *

182

Portfolio
Companies *

100

Community
Partners †

what do we do?

Events
Supported †

120

Clinical
Trials *

Participants
with data in
Brain-CODE *

25,462

Projects with
Companies *

Intellectual
Property
Granted *

Patient
Partnership
Activities *

401

Knowledge
Products
Produced *

565

Partnerships with
Community and
Frontline Care †

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culture at OBI

Culture at OBI is a combination of work and play. We work hard, but we also know how to play! Play - or socializing - is one of our six brain health tips for mental health and wellness.

Putting our heads together helps us to make the most of our time; we like to schedule regular (at least monthly, sometimes more) staff social engagements. And we know how to use our creative brains to generate some fun and original social ideas that our staff can engage in and appreciate. We definitely have fun along the way!

Come along to see how OBI enjoyed time together this past year…

1. OBI Decennial Celebration. Celebrating OBI’s ten+ years (2020) - partners, networks, staff, and leadership came together at the AGO, in Toronto, for an elegant reception and dinner event, which was generously sponsored by Bennett Jones, Telus, Baycrest’s Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation and Rotman Research Institute, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Lundbeck, Western University, Wildeboer Dellelce LLP, Adgar Canada, AGE-WELL, Sick Kids Research Institute, the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Canada, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, GE, Navigator, IBM and the Terry Fox Research Institute. Highlights included an inspiring keynote speaker, the launch of the new corporate video and the presentation of three inaugural awards – the Donald T. Stuss Award for Research Leadership, the Joseph L. Rotman Award for Entrepreneurship, and the Community Builder Award.

2. OBI Holiday Party. The first in person celebration since 2019 was held at the OBI office in downtown Toronto, in November. Staff enjoyed a variety of fun and engaging games “minute to win it” style games as well as a delicious lunch featuring a variety of Mediterranean dishes.

3. Minutes of Meditation. This regular offering has been a hit at OBI! Coming together online to experience original meditations with peaceful music – led by one of our staff members – has been a wonderful recipe for calm and relaxation. (Relax is another brain health tip.)

4. OBI Social: Speak and Learn virtual events. Staff gathered online for a trip around the world, from the comfort of their seats! Over the course of a few sessions from winter to spring, we learned some basic words and phrases from different languages taught by colleagues. Languages included Arabic, Irish Gaelic, Italian, Hebrew and French.

reflections on the past year

2023 Message from the Chair of the Board of Directors

Read what inspired Todd Vienneau >

2023 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.