I am conducting a multi-species fish population monitoring project in Quebec’s largest lake (Mistassini), to facilitate community-based fisheries management with the Cree Nation of Mistissini. Mistassini is home to recreational fisheries for walleye, lake trout, brook trout and pike. With a 31% increase in the regional human population since 2001 and increasing fishing pressure, effective monitoring of Mistassini’s harvested fish populations is essential.

Immunovaccine Inc. is developing cancer vaccines using the company’s DepoVaxTM vaccine technology. DepoVax is a patented formulation that displays excellent tumor control and provides a long lasting and specific effect. The way by which this vaccine exerts its effect is unclear but the translational team at Immunovaccine is determined to discover its mechanism of action and why their proprietary DepoVax technology delivers superior responses in comparison to other vaccines.

Pig production is a vital component of the Canadian agricultural sector. Airborne bacterial pathogens Haemophilus parasuis, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and Actinobacillus suis are major causes of swine respiratory disease and cause rapidly progressing systemic infections that lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We are developing engineered subunit vaccines that can simultaneously target all three pathogens and can be formulated for needle-free delivery using pressure guns.

Forests provide habitat to more than 65% of terrestrial biodiversity, yet are being eliminated or greatly simplified at an alarming rate under global change (GC). Current forestry practices tend to favour a handful of species, without considering resilience of resulting forests to GC. During the past two decades, studies have investigated the complex relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem service provision to humanity.

There is an increase in brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases as the number of aged individuals is increasing. Currently there is no treatment available that can halt the progression of these diseases. Previous work has shown that a natural compound CoQ10 can prevent brain cell death. Similarly an Ayurvedic Herbal extract, Ashwagandh Root Extract has also shown promising results in some studies. In the present research project we will prepare a novel water-soluble formulation of CoQ10 and Ashwagandha Extract using a patented technology of Nextremedies Inc.

Bacterial infections spread from one person to another person by means of a simple “touch” of contaminated surfaces in healthcare units. These infections have become untreatable to most existing antibiotics, thereby accounts for significant mortality rate. Polyamyna Nanotech is developing new antimicrobial coatings that prevent spreading dangerous bacterial infections in hospitals and health care units. Mitacs sponsored intern will evaluate our products by testing them against pathogenic bacteria. This would eventually boost the product development.

The mammalian liver is known for its regenerative property, capable of fully restoring mass and function after injury. However, when this process is in disarray, chronic liver diseases occur, for which the current solution is liver transplantation. Transplantation remains an imperfect solution as the supply is limited and rejection can happen. Today, 25% of patients waiting for transplantation die before a liver becomes available. This study aims to describe a regenerating liver at the cellular level to explore the alternatives to liver transplantation.

Heavy pesticide and antibiotic use are prevalent in modern agriculture and is an essential requirement to feed the ever-increasing human population. Their increased use, however, has also resulted in a loss of ecological biodiversity, environmental contamination, emerging pesticide/antibiotic resistance and is an economic burden to farmers, especially in low income nations. The research proposed aims to develop novel alternative agricultural bio-control technology centered around Baker’s yeast, a common and non-toxic organism used in baking and brewing.