“Through this research internship, I have learned a lot about the various applications and software used for mapping virus genes,” Ye explains.

Alongside Dr. Stephane Aris-Brosou, from the University of Ottawa’s Department of Biology, Ye is creating a novel algorithm to analyze the evolution and transmission network of the virus.

“Certainly searching for a job is much more than sending resumes and waiting for an interview. The business skills I’ve learned through Mitacs Step have provided me with valuable communication and networking abilities, the know-how to create impactful resumes and business cards, as well as appropriate manners and etiquette during an interview or at a industry event, all of which I’ve applied to my present job hunt.”

Alongside Dr. Frank Rudzicz of University of Toronto’s Department of Computer Science, Soumendu is constructing software that will improve the quality of life of individuals with speech disorders.

Using electroencephalography (EEG) signals from patients, Soumendu is collecting data from linguistic centers of the brain and areas involved in motor planning. This data will contribute to the development of tools that will allow patients to communicate via EEG signals by the use of an artificial articulator.

It is Luis Arvizu’s comprehensive prospective on scientific discovery that brings him to Queen’s University, where he is currently researching under Dr. Myron Szewczuk from the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences. Luis comes from Mexico’s Tec de Monterrey where he is pursuing his undergraduate degree in Engineering and Biotechnology.

Luis’ Globalink research project has him examining the novel use of a drug that inhibits the production and spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body, while making chemotherapy-resistant cells more susceptible to treatment. 

It is this notion that drew Boyang to study Municipal and Environmental Engineering at China’s Harbin Institute of Technology.

After hearing about Mitacs from previous Globalink Research Interns and finding a project that paired perfectly with her academic background, Boyang could not resist the chance to come to Canada.

Under the guidance of Jesse Zhu, a professor at Western University’s Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Boyang is contributing to research on wastewater treatment technologies.

For Chemistry undergrad Fernando Eguiarte-Solomon, from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, coming to Canada for a 12-week Mitacs Globalink internship to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease research was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I wanted to seize the opportunity to contribute to research that could have a major impact. I felt that a Mitacs Globalink internship would be an enriching experience and make for a very interesting summer, and this has proven to be true.”

Mariana is working on a research project with Dr. Leila Farah from Ryerson University’s Department of Architectural Science. Her research project –The Inclusive City: Cultivating Toronto’s Social Fabric, One Garden at a Time – will see Mariana first researching neighbourhoods in Toronto to identify specific communities with crime-related issues, and then survey spaces where urban gardens could be incorporated. The next step will be to develop the design proposal, as well as a well-thought-out plan for implementation of the urban participatory gardens.

In the last decade, there has been a dramatic increase in innovative financing and delivery strategies to improve the state of health for people living in less-developed countries. However, not all of these efforts have been successful. Swapnika’s research will analyze past strategies for funding and implementing health initiatives in order to determine what strategies have been successful and what have not. Her research will allow for more efficient handling of such crucial funding.

After completing his PhD in Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, he worked at IBM before moving to York University to take up a position at the School of Information Technology in 2001 where he is now an Associate Professor.

Dr. Chen has supervised three post-doctoral fellows through Mitacs-Accelerate internships, each lasting for at least 12 months, and is in the process of applying for two more.  He credits Mitacs for helping him secure more funding for his diverse research goals.

Native trees are known to support local ecosystems much more effectively, providing a home and food source for local insects and wildlife.  But the exact benefit of using native trees has never been studied in Canada.