ship

4 Ways to Advance in Your Industry Without an Internship

Working an internship is good for more than just earning college credit — it's also an opportunity to make valuable connections in your preferred professional field and gain real-life work experience. However, many college students have a tough choice to make ...




ship

2023 Quality Leadership Ranking: #3 Electro Product Management Inc.

Since they have achieved this cyber security status, EPM are currently ahead of the industry. Less than 30% of companies are where they need to be with cyber security compliance, according to their auditor.




ship

Hurco, IndyCar Team Extend Partnership

Hurco Companies, Inc. and Indianapolis-based race team Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) recently announced a continuation of their long-standing partnership.




ship

CyberMetrics Announces New Leadership of the Asset Management Division

Though FaciliWorks CMMS is already used by hundreds of Mexican companies, there is still an enormous number of potential clients who are in need of a system like FaciliWorks.




ship

Twenty-Two Innovators Selected for DoE’s Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the latest cohorts in its Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP).




ship

The Case for Re-Educating Leadership on How to Manage for Quality

Leaders prioritize efficiency and productivity over quality management, compromising long-term standards, evident in the widespread adoption of operational excellence programs like Lean and Six Sigma.





ship

How Precision Measurement Tool Help Wave Worshippers Catch the Ultimate Barrel

Today, most surfboards are made with a CNC machine. 3D metrology laser trackers can assist with critical quality control safeguards to ensure the CNC machine is doing its job properly.




ship

REGO-FIX Announces Partnership with Omega TMM for Presetting Solution

REGO-FIX, a Swiss toolholding company and inventor of the standard-setting ER collet, has partnered with tool measuring and management solution company Omega TMM for the creation of ORION powered by REGO-FIX – a tool measuring machine using REGO-FIX’s powRgrip® toolholding system with Omega TMM’s presetting technology.




ship

MSI Viking Expands Partnership with Mahr to Include Advanced Production Metrology Systems

MSI Viking announced the expansion of its long-standing partnership with Mahr Inc.




ship

Industry 4.0 for Apprenticeships, Degree Programs

Global challenges and industrial competitiveness are having an impact on the training and continuous education of skilled workers and students.




ship

Exact Metrology Announces New Partnership with Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence

Partnership enhances product offerings to aerospace, automotive, defense, and manufacturing industries in the Midwest.




ship

Canadian Blood Services research engineer applies network modelling techniques and mentorship skills to benefit Canada’s Lifeline

Canadian Blood Services research engineer applies network modelling techniques and mentorship skills to benefit Canada’s Lifeline


Tuesday, October 22, 2024 Dr. Emily Freeman

Dr. John Blake is a research engineer at Canadian Blood Services and a Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Dalhousie University. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dr. Blake and his trainees use engineering principles and various computer-based optimization techniques to inform large scale decisions at Canadian Blood Services.  

Applying network modelling to biologics  

To some, it may be surprising to learn that there is such opportunity to integrate engineering into the health-care focused setting of Canadian Blood Services. However, as Dr. Blake explains, the same engineering principles that apply to the development and quality assurance of other products also apply to biologics such as blood, stem cells and organs. One of these classic engineering approaches currently applied to improving operations at Canadian Blood Services is network modelling.  

Network modelling is a computer-based method that creates a virtual representation of objects and their relation to each other. The resulting models are particularly useful for maintaining adaptability in the collection of blood donations, as well as the distribution and inventory management strategies that allow Canadian Blood Services to remain a safe and reliable provider of life-saving products. 

Dr. Blake making friends while walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain

Contributing to efficiency and sustainability in Canada’s Lifeline  

For Dr. Blake’s team, modelling is not about the data acquired but rather how they can turn existing data into real life change. Part of this approach is ensuring that Canadian Blood Services is asking the right questions when it comes to allocating resources. For example, Dr. Blake has worked on models to assess how changing stem cell donor recruitment will affect the number of matches for Canadian patients. By modelling things such as recruitment approaches, Dr. Blake’s work assists Canadian Blood Services to consistently identify ways to improve Canada’s Lifeline.

Recently, Dr. Blake has also been applying this method to optimize the number and location of mobile and permanent donor facilities across the nation. This redesign of the donation facility network will address the growing demand for donations by bringing Canadian Blood Services’ facilities closer to the donors. 

“I have waited my entire career for a problem of this type – it is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Dr. John Blake, Canadian Blood Services Research Engineer

Securing the future of Canada’s Lifeline  

To sustain a safe and effective blood system in Canada for years to come, network modelling and optimization is a never-ending process. This is one of the reasons that Dr. Blake is committed to securing the future of transfusion and transplantation systems by training and mentoring the next generation of engineers. In fact, seeing his former students join Canadian Blood Services and dedicate their talents to improving the future of Canada’s Lifeline is one of Dr. Blake’s proudest achievements.  

One of Dr. Blake’s former students, Matt Nelson, is now an industrial engineer at Canadian Blood Services.  

“In my role, I use systematic thinking to build and run complex models; collect and analyze the required data; produce useful results; and explain these results to non-technical leaders on a regular basis,” Matt says. Recently, Matt contributed to the launch and expansion of pathogen-reduced platelets, a new product that was implemented across Canadian Blood Services production sites starting in 2022. The implementation of pathogen-reduced platelets has provided an additional layer of safety for recipients by reducing the risk of potential transfusion-transmitted pathogens without compromising the quality of the component. Matt credited Dr. Blake in helping him develop the necessary skills he now dedicates to safeguarding Canada’s Lifeline:  

“Dr. Blake was the professor who introduced me to the uses of simulation to understand complex non-linear systems. This type of system is very common in situations that have a lot of variability – like the blood system – and simulation allows for exploration of the response of the system to changes.” 

Matt Nelson, Canadian Blood Services Industrial Engineer

Over the years, Dr. Blake’s ongoing modelling work and mentorship activities have also led to many recognitions and awards, but he is most proud of being recognized as Professor of the Year by Dalhousie Undergraduate students, and with awards for his contributions to the Canadian Operational Research Society. He has even the earned the distinction of being Dalhousie’s first engineer to be awarded grant funding from the tri-council agency, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). 

“I am proud to work on projects that have a measurable impact on people’s health and well-being,” Dr. Blake says. “I am forever grateful to Dr. Dana Devine for first giving me the opportunity to serve Canadians in this role at Canadian Blood Services.” 


Canadian Blood Services – Driving world-class innovation

Through discovery, development and applied research, Canadian Blood Services drives world-class innovation in blood transfusion, cellular therapy and transplantation—bringing clarity and insight to an increasingly complex healthcare future. Our dedicated research team and extended network of partners engage in exploratory and applied research to create new knowledge, inform and enhance best practices, contribute to the development of new services and technologies, and build capacity through training and collaboration. Find out more about our research impact.   

The opinions reflected in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Canadian Blood Services nor do they reflect the views of Health Canada or any other funding agency.  

Related blog posts


Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Marie-Soleil Smith

This post was written by Marie-Soleil Smith, PhD Candidate in Dr. Hélène Côté’s Lab at the University of British Columbia, and edited by Dr. Geraldine Walsh, knowledge broker at Canadian Blood Services. It originally appeared on the Centre for Blood Research blog in March 2022.


Monday, January 22, 2018
Dr. Geraldine Walsh

For the latest instalment of “Meet the researcher” we chatted with Dr. John Blake, Canadian Blood Services’ research engineer and also known as “the numbers guy”.


Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Jenny Ryan

On June 5, Canadian Blood Services was honoured to accept the Canadian Operational Research Society's Omandt Solandt Award at a reception in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Michelle Rogerson, Director, Supply Chain (Atlantic), Canadian Blood Services, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. About...




ship

Maplesoft, University of Waterloo Enter Education Partnership

Maplesoft and the University of Waterloo have partnered to collaborate on educational STEM content. Through this partnership, Maplesoft’s Möbius will blend with Waterloo-developed coursework and content for an online learning hub for college-level students and professors.




ship

Dec 8 - Classroom Activity Types and Their Relationship to Cognitive Discourse Functions

Kobe JALT (Kobe Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching). December 8 (Sun), 14:00-15:30 in Kobe, Hyogo. Stephen McNamara (Kwansei Gakuin University).




ship

Hawaiian Association Opens Scholarship Applications

The Contractors Association of Kauai (CAK is offering multiple scholarships to Kauai residents seeking a career in a construction-related field of study.




ship

Navien Starts Shipping New NPF Hydro-furnace

The NPF Hydro-furnace, Navien Inc.'s first HVAC product, claims an annual fuel utilization efficiency of 97% and can be outfitted to burn either natural gas or liquid propane.




ship

Elevating HVAC Excellence: A Proactive Approach to Customer Relationships

The foundation of success for HVAC pros lies in establishing client relationships, recognizing that being the initial point of contact during times of need is paramount.




ship

Carrier and Bryant Distributors Invest More than $500,000 in Scholarships

Carrier and Bryant have announced the recipients of the Distributors’ Education Foundation scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year.




ship

NADCA Offers Technical Conference Scholarships

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association's 2023 Fall Technical Conference is scheduled for September 7-9 in Grapevine, Texas, near Dallas. Those in the field who have not attended before can apply for a scholarship.




ship

ABC and Autodesk Sign Strategic Partnership Deal

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and Autodesk, a leading global 3D design and engineering software company, have announced a strategic partnership to enable construction professionals to work smarter by harnessing digital solutions to increase productivity, reduce redundancy, and eliminate waste.




ship

Maryland Announces Five New Apprenticeship Programs

These new programs and reactivations include occupations such as machinist, HVACR technician, electrician, plumber, cement mason, ironworker, operating engineer, and a new occupation in certified cyber analyst operator.




ship

New CEO Continues Tradition of Family Leadership at Nibco

Ashley Martin joined Nibco in 2012 and most recently served as president and COO since 2023. Before that, she held the position of executive vice president.




ship

New Leadership at Worthington Building Products

Warren Patterson was named global vice president of enterprise development, and Tiago Oliveira was named global vice president of product development, for the Building Products division at Worthington Enterprises Inc. In addition, the division organized a Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) leadership team.




ship

Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US Appoints New CFO, Realigns Leadership Team

Andy Kelso was named COO; Shane Lawrence, CFO; Brinnon Williams, vice president of residential business; and David Archer, vice president of commercial business.




ship

Nest Pro Virtual Summit Highlights Partnership Between Google and HVAC Contractors

When homeowners purchase a Nest product, Google will connect the customers to a qualified installer, a “Nest Pro.”




ship

The NEWSMakers Podcast: ACCA Leadership

The ACHR NEWS sat down with ACCA CEO Bart James and ACCA Vice President of Membership, Advocacy, and Events Sean Robertson at the recent ACCA conference. The trio discussed issues that are affecting HVACR contractors including regulations, legislation, and business management.




ship

March 27, 2023 NEWSRoom: Heat Pumps Part of Musk’s Master Plan, AHRI Policy Leadership Award, Enter Top 30 Distributors of 2023

Catch up on the latest headlines in our NEWSRoom video series.




ship

The Importance Of Female Leadership In The HVACR Industry

“It's simple. If you want to encourage women to prosper and develop, provide them with some prospering women to inspire them to develop.”




ship

Partnership Helps Food Retailers Save Energy

The Copeland-Enersponse collaboration offers a chance for food retailers to improve energy conservation efforts through involvement in demand-response initiatives that assist in stabilizing the power grid during times of high electricity consumption.




ship

California Heat Pump Partnership Aims to Scale Up Electrification of HVAC

This new private-public partnership wants to quadruple heat pump installation in California over the next 6 years.




ship

Facts + Figures: AHRI Shipment Data for July 2021

Industry figures are estimates that are derived from the best available figures supplied by a sample of AHRI member companies.




ship

Facts + Figures: AHRI Shipment Data for November 2021

Industry figures are estimates that are derived from the best available figures supplied by a sample of AHRI member companies.




ship

Episode 150: Software Craftsmanship with Bob Martin

This episode is a conversation with "Uncle Bob" Bob Martin about agile software development and software craftsmanship specifically. We talk about the history of the term, the reasons for coming up with it some of the practices and the relationship to other agile approaches. We conclude our discussion with an outlook on some of todays new and hyped programming languages.




ship

Episode 374: Marcus Blankenship on Motivating Programmers

Motivation comes through relationships, safety, and environments which allow everyone to contribute.




ship

Episode 441 Shipping Software - With Bugs

James Smith, CEO and co-founder of Bugsnag discusses “Why it is ok to ship your software with Bugs.”




ship

Rooting for Black Land Ownership

Exploring the history of land theft in the U.S., Brea Baker argues that the Black reparations and Indigenous Landback movements are stronger together.




ship

Raw Milk Institute | The voice of responsible leadership for the growing raw milk market.

I've contributed... won't you?





ship

Your Cyber Monday in EEP! Save Big on Premium Membership and Video Courses

Hello, hope all is well with you! It’s our pleasure to share with you two Cyber Monday deals for our new electrical engineers, expiring on December 3rd: 20% on EEP Pro Premium Membership and 30% off on all courses and... Read more

The post Your Cyber Monday in EEP! Save Big on Premium Membership and Video Courses appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.



  • Energy and Power
  • News

ship

Cyber Monday in EEP! 30% off on courses and 20% off on premium membership!

Black Friday is gone, but Cyber Monday is here and it’s getting better! Let us share with you two Cyber Monday deals for our electrical engineers, expiring on December 3rd: 20% off on EEP Pro Premium Membership and 30% off... Read more

The post Cyber Monday in EEP! 30% off on courses and 20% off on premium membership! appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.




ship

Cyber Monday in EEP! 30% off on courses and 20% off on PRO membership plan!

Black Friday is gone, but Cyber Monday is here and it’s getting better! It’s the Last Day!! Let us share with you two Cyber Monday deals for our electrical engineers, expiring on December 1st: 20% off on EEP Pro Premium... Read more

The post Cyber Monday in EEP! 30% off on courses and 20% off on PRO membership plan! appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.




ship

Masabi and MasterCard Partnership Video

As part of our announcement that we have entered a global partnership with MasterCard, Masabi’s Head of Innovation Ben Whitaker and MasterCard’s Head of Transit Centre of Excellence sat down to explain why we believe working together will help customers get around cities and how this benefits transit operators. If […]

The post Masabi and MasterCard Partnership Video appeared first on Masabi.




ship

Coach's Corner: Wealth, Ownership, & Succession Planning

It is vital that business owners have succession planning in place to keep their business and legacy going when it is time for them to take a step back.




ship

Ben Looper: How to Proactively Plan for Leadership Challenges

Learn how building a strong team culture, investing in leadership development, and planning for the future can set your restoration business up for long-term success.




ship

Navigating the Franchise vs. Independent Decision – Key Factors Beyond Ownership

Explore essential insights from industry experts on training, market dynamics, and strategic considerations to help you navigate the franchise versus independent restoration business decisions.




ship

Lessons from the Gridiron: Leadership Principles for Restoration Businesses

Discover how Clemson’s head football coach Dabo Swinney leads with integrity, values team-first mentality, and builds a culture of accountability—principles that can transform your business leadership approach and drive long-term success.




ship

Cavalry Construction & Restoration Announces Leadership Transition and Strategic Service Expansion

Cavalry Construction & Restoration announces a leadership transition as President Boyd Beadles takes sole leadership, expanding the company's focus to include enhanced mitigation services across Texas.




ship

KnowHow Launches Building Leaders, A Comprehensive Guide to Tackling the Leadership Crisis in the Restoration Industry

Discover the leadership strategies that fuel high ROI, from building strong teams to leveraging cutting-edge technology. Learn how the industry's top pioneers are bridging the leadership gap to ensure future success.




ship

Stellar Service Brands Announces Leadership Transition, Appoints Jessica Wescott as New CEO

Stellar Service Brands announces the promotion of Jessica Wescott to CEO, marking a new chapter for the company. Wescott, who joined in 2022, has driven significant growth and expansion, positioning the company for continued success. 




ship

BELFOR Franchise Group Claims Partnership Aims to Level Playing Field for Insurance Pros

BELFOR Franchise Group announces the launch of the Claims Partnership Program, offering customized training for property claims professionals. This program aims to address the gap created by retiring veterans and new entrants in the claims industry.