THUNDER BAY -- It's a long way from Harvard Medical School in the U.S. to Thunder Bay, but chemist Dr. Mitchell Albert is glad he made the move seven years ago.
While simultaneously continuing his academic career at Lakehead University, Albert has worked to develop a Thunder Bay-based health and beauty company, Renew Health.
He's just launched an anti-aging skincare line, having created cream and serum formulas which he says combat the signs of aging for much less than the cost of "luxury brand" prices.
Albert has a Ph.D. in chemistry and was a research scientist and professor at Harvard for 15 years.
In 2011 he joined Lakehead University and the regional hospital's Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute where he holds the post of Research Chair.
"A colleague told me about it and I came up for a visit and was absolutely inspired with Thunder Bay. It's beautiful here. I enjoy a lot of outdoor activities," Albert told Tbnewswatch in an interview.
But it is more than the natural surroundings that have kept him in the city.
"We have really good technology here.The tools and the technology and the facilities in Thunder Bay are outstanding. I love it here."
Renew Health ultimately came about, Albert said, from his interest in graduate school in finding ways to deal with the chronic fatigue syndrome he had at the time.
"Over the last 15-20 years I've been doing continual research, and I came up with a formulation of Eastern, Chinese/traditional medicine natural herbal supplements plus Western scientific supplements, and put them altogether into a formula that really, really helps me."
He's also developed a nutritional supplement drink mix.
The field of skin care got Albert's attention when he turned 50 and fine lines began to develop beneath his eyes.
"I started using moisturizers, beauty-line counter products, and they did nothing. Then I moved to the luxury creams at $225 a bottle for serum, which worked, but didn't work great, and I couldn't afford to keep using them."
He said he turned his research skills toward anti-aging formulations, and came up with one that combines everything, such as "advanced peptides to reduce fine lines, and collagen and hyaluronic acid to moisturize the cells that have lost their elasticity."
Albert said a focus group test trial produced "outstanding results" in thirty days.
He said he can make and sell the product for about one-third the cost of luxury creams, but with much higher concentrations of the active ingredients.
Research, development, sales and marketing is all done out of Thunder Bay.
Production, however, takes place in the United States, where a small manufacturer was able to offer him the most economical option.
The product is delivered to Thunder Bay for distribution locally as well as throughout North America via online orders.
The skincare line debuted on the weekend at the Thunder Bay Home and Garden Show, with a nationwide launch to follow.
Albert expects his immunity-boosting nutritional supplements will be ready for introduction in another month or two.
He said he intends to continue his academic career at Lakehead, but may have to hire additional staff for Renew Health if its offerings prove to be successful in the marketplace.
