Cannabinoid phytochemicals derived from the marijuana plant are increasingly being recognized for their potential in treating a wide variety of mental health conditions. For example, specific compounds found in marijuana such as THC and cannabidiol (CBD) are showing promise as pharmacological treatments for disorders including schizophrenia, anxiety, depression and PTSD. However, very little is understood regarding the underlying neurobiological and molecular mechanisms by which these treatments may produce their clinical effects.

The goal of the project is to gain insight into individuals’ reactions to an artificial intelligence (AI) product currently in development at Kiite. The product is designed to fulfill some of the role responsibilities typically occupied by a manager. Trust is an important factor in both leader-employee relationships and in user experiences with AI-based systems. Thus, the partnership with Kiite offers a novel research opportunity to contribute to an emerging area of research on when and why humans are liable to (dis)trust AI technology in the workplace.

In this project, a series of highly efficient and highly selective multifunctional Guerbet catalysts are developed and will be investigated for the condensation of low alcohols to high alcohols in a continuous-flow reactor. Low energy density bioethanol and methanol will be upgraded to n-butanol and iso-butanol with high energy content comparable to gasoline with high octane number and good miscibility with gasoline. Long chain linear alcohols C6-C10 will also be converted to branched primary alcohols C12-20 with high value application as additives, lubricants and surfactants.

Patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) may develop motor complications caused by Levodopa, the current drug used for treatment. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an alternative surgical treatment where electrodes are implanted in a specific brain region to deliver current to surrounding brain tissue which helps to alleviate motor symptoms of PD. Presently, there is a limitation to how the current is being delivered to the targeted brain region. Current steering (CS) is a novel DBS technique, unique to Boston Scientific systems, that accounts for this limitation.

Automated harvesting of horticultural produce is an opportunity for Canadian farmers to improve the quality of yield, reduce labour costs, and increase revenues. The research project will focus on the design and development of soft pneumatically-driven robotic grippers that conform to the natural shape of delicate produce, such as mushrooms, in an effort to minimize crop damage during harvesting. The operating principle of the proposed grasping mechanism is based on the concept of a pneumatic artificial muscle.

The removal of unwanted body hair by body sugaring is an ancient method commonly used in the middle east, and it is fast becoming the method of choice in North America. When not done properly, the removal of unwanted hair can lead to injuries to the skin and can cause ingrown hairs, also known as razor bumps. Most products available for the treatment of ingrown hairs are often saturated with alcohol, and harsh chemicals that strip the skin of natural oils, often causing burns, irritation, and lacerations.

Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are characterized by decreased prefrontal cortex (PFC) regulation on hyperactive emotion generation regions, such as the amygdala. Real-time (rt)-fMRI neurofeedback allows for localized brain regions to be self-regulated through neuroimaging signal feedback. Recently within our lab, learning to decrease amygdala activation via neurofeedback was shown to normalize the neural circuitry maintaining PTSD, which was negatively correlated to symptoms.

The research problem to be addressed is the diversion of organic waste from landfills which, currently, in addition of using the limited space available, generate polluting leachate and greenhouse gases. On the other hand, landfilling organics represent a wasted opportunity to recover valuable chemical and energy resources. The internship will focus on the investigation of the potential of pyrolysis technology to address such problems, by creating opportunities to convert the waste into value-added chemicals and fuels.

Global population growth, urbanization and changing climate patterns have increased the demand for potable water, wastewater reuse and value recovery from wastewater, and treatment of industrial process water. Population growth also results in increased demand for the shipping of goods by ocean freight, with the associated risk of the transport of unwanted marine life from one location to another by the discharge of ballast water.