This research project supports the development of cycling planning tools within an online transportation planning platform called the Transportation GeoXchange (TGX). Research focusses on the development and integration of Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) network analysis in case studies using the TGX. LTS networks are routable graphs with impedance functions that characterize the subjective level of stress associated with traversing each street segment and intersection.

The mammalian brain constitutes different neuronal cell-types that form local and long-range connections to constitute brain circuits. To remove the technological barrier to enable neuroscientists to gain knowledge on behavior-related dynamic changes of the brain and understand the interaction of complex neuronal circuits, we aim to develop a novel imaging system. It enables simultaneous monitoring and stimulating subpopulations of neurons in multiple brain areas in behaving subjects.

The ability to revert human cells back into a stem cell state, and then reprogram them into new cell fates has unlocked promise for future regenerative therapies. However, we still do not fully understand this reprogramming process and the interaction of proteins that make this happen. Mass spectrometry (or MS; a common technique to study molecules using a mass-to-charge ratio) may allow us to identify these unknowns but would require the collection of a large number of cells undergoing identical stages of reprogramming – a feat that is not experimentally practical or feasible.

Persons with disabilities encounter many barriers to workplace inclusion. Prior research on strategies to mitigate such barriers has primarily been focused on recruitment and access to entry-level positions, with limited consideration given to career success. However, mentorship has been identified as an important element of career success for persons with disabilities—even though we know little about the design and implementation of disability inclusive mentorship programs, or how successful mentor-mentee relationships are fostered and sustained for persons with disabilities.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease that affects many parts of patients’ lives, such as the abilities to think, move, and speak. Speech problems in ALS can have a substantial effect on patients’ quality of life. They are also related to faster disease progression and shorter survival time. It may be possible to detect the onset of ALS head and neck muscle problems early using speech recordings, which could improve planning of care for ALS patients. Speech recordings may also be useful measures for ALS clinical trials.

Financial variables modelling plays an essential role in computational finance and risk management. Recent research has shown that public sentiment and other information expressed in the natural text such as news articles are important factors correlated with financial variables. The main purpose of this project is to better model financial variables such as market indices and credit spreads.

Heat exchangers, used in building heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to transfer heat from hot to cold fluids, are designed to operate under ideal conditions. However, in practice operating conditions may vary with ambient temperature or humidity. HVAC system efficiency can be improved significantly if fluid flow rates are adjusted in response to such changes. Armstrong Fluid Technology is a Canadian firm that has developed control systems to adjust the flow through building heat exchangers to maximize their efficiency.

Luna Nanotech is in the process of developing an automated portable device for diagnosis of infectious pathogens. As part of his PhD project the intern has participated in the development of a rapid multiplex benchtop serological test for Covid-19. In this project the intern will work with Luna Nanotech scientists and engineers to adapt this benchtop serological test to be used in the diagnostic device to allow rapid automated detection of Covid-19 specific antibodies.

Persons with disabilities encounter many barriers to workplace inclusion. Prior research on strategies to mitigate such barriers has primarily been focused on recruitment and access to entry-level positions, with limited consideration given to career success. However, mentorship has been identified as an important element of career success for persons with disabilities—even though we know little about the design and implementation of disability inclusive mentorship programs, or how successful mentor-mentee relationships are fostered and sustained for persons with disabilities.

Grid energy-storage is indispensable for balancing daily and seasonal fluctuations in the energy generation especially for renewable energy resources. Among several promising battery technologies, redox flow batteries, possess competitive advantage for large-scale grid-energy storage as their capacity is scalable, and their costs are dominated by the negative and positive electrolytes.