Projets novateurs réalisés

Accelerating Neural Networks on FPGAs through High-Level Synthesis

Computer hardware is enjoying a widespread renaissance with the emergence of the compute-intensive and challenging machine learning workloads. ABR develops and maintains NENGO, a biologically-plausible model for neural networks and is keen to develop hardware support for efficient realizations of these networks. FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), are an attractive target for this if we can overcome the communication bottlenecks that limit the effectiveness of these designs. This project aims to develop strategies for implementing communication between neuron populations mapped onto an FPGA and deploy them to the cloud for demonstration.

Developing Digital Brain Assessment Tools for the Home

Attention problems are common with aging and related disorders (like stroke) and are associated with poor recovery and quality of life. Many clinical tests of attention are not based on neurocognitive concepts and are limited to in person visits. The Dalhousie Computerized Attention Battery (DalCAB) is a theory-based, in-depth measure of attention that can be done in person or online. It has been used in-person with young adults, but it still requires more development as a remote test. Sixty healthy adults (30 young, 18-35 yrs, and 30 older, 55-85 yrs) will complete the DalCAB twice, once in the morning and once in the evening. Time of day and age effects on task performance will be analyzed. This research is a first step in the development of a tool for remote assessment that can be made broadly available to many different health care needs and populations.

Business Development Intern

Flex is an upcoming start-up focused on developing a fitness app that would incorporate AI to produce exceptional personal training experience. The internship would focus on improving the existing app, cultivating relationships with external stakeholders, and leveraging social media to gain users. The primary goal of the intern would be to grow the business that would directly impact the health and well-being of Canadians.

Avanti Software Inc. – Strategy & Operations MBA Intern

Project 1 – Product Innovation: The intern will be asked to conduct a focused deep dive in the HCM market, understanding (1) what competitors offer today (Workday, Ceridian, ADP) and the product features that these players currently have; (2) evaluate what capabilities industry consultants, thought leaders, and end users desire by team (payroll, HR, etc.) and software module (Payroll, Time & Attendance, Recruiting & Onboarding, etc.). Using this market research, a formal recommendation will be made, summarizing their findings, the implications of them, ultimately guiding where/how Avanti’s Development team should focus their efforts.

Project 2 – M&A and Regional Expansion: The intern will be asked to provide an evaluation of these growth avenues, exploring potential targets and regions for expansion, and why Avanti is well-positioned to execute on either. A thorough analysis of the intended targets, including the merits, risks and mitigants, and path to execution will be required. On the acquisition side, this will require a product mindset, with a focus on how the target will either expand or improve the Avanti offering.

Synergiq Solutions

Synergiq (a small Canadian technology company) strives to improve the health outcomes for community members. Synergiq has built a state-of-the art peer-to-peer online healthcare community platform to connect community members – including patients, caregivers and family members – for peer emotional support. This project aims to develop a recommendation for Synergiq’s go-to-market strategy / marketing plan for their platform, with a focus on reproductive health and family planning – particularly those navigating fertility challenges. A refined go-to-market strategy / marketing plan for this initiative will benefit Synergiq in a) assessing whether this is an opportunity to invest significant resources in, and b) becoming laser-focused on outreach and execution.

Business Co-op Student

The Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce is looking for a “creative” business student to help companies make money and grow their business through an online presence. The global pandemic has hit businesses hard and we are seeking talented interns to help our members who are in all industries, pivot into the market, post-Covid. Growth is more than just marketing; it is sales and strategy wrapped in delivering creative solutions that are well executed. Students must have a basic knowledge of using and setting up social media channels and other digital resources to help businesses emerge from the pandemic stronger than before. This project will allow businesses who have struggled over the past few months to navigate their way through an online presence and emerge and grow from the global pandemic.

Online peer-to-peer healthcare platform – informal caregivers

Develop a recommendation for several elements of Synergiq’s go-to-market strategy/marketing plan for their online peer-to-peer healthcare platform. This particular project is an online peer-to-peer community for informal caregivers – especially those who are supporting loved ones who are suffering from a serious illness or palliative condition. The intern will employ artificial intelligence techniques to discover insights on healthcare-related topics, customers, potential partners and competitors/substitutes from publicly available data. The methodology also involves secondary research, key themes and whitespace assessment, pricing, and market segmentation. The expected outcome is a set of recommendations focused on a go-to-market strategy, channels, pricing, potential customers and partners, features and health topics that the platform should include.

Black Rose Waterproofing Internship

I will be working directly with the president of the company for the duration of the internship. With Black Rose Waterproofing being a start-up, I will get the rare opportunity of getting experience on all aspects of business strategy (finance, accounting, operations, in-depth view of running a company) and will get to see my work and decisions make a significant impact on the success of the company. Some contributions I can add include, but are not limited to, using my connections from my previous work experience to source work for the company, utilizing my experience in the sector to help forecast an accurate amount of work, and employing my business knowledge to assist with the financial planning and accounting for the business.

Just Governance after COVID19

Just Governance Group is a multinational and multidisciplinary network of professionals who support the development of just societies through our contribution to initiatives related to good governance. We bring together specialists from various countries in the Americas and other regions affected by conflict or are in transition. Our team provides consulting services to multilateral organizations, development cooperation agencies, and national institutions. We discuss a range of democratic governance topics such as: Human Rights, Justice Reform, Gender Equality, Democratic Development, Conflict, Peace. We use our consulting initiatives as a basis for reflection and comparative analysis to talk about the topics of governance and development practice in our knowledge publications. As a private company incorporated under the federal law in Canada, we identify as an innovative social enterprise operating within the network and learning business models.

Just Governance Group activities typically involve significant global field work, supported by an operations office in Ottawa. However, the COVID19 pandemic has caused the suspension of international field work and a shift to work-from-home for the Ottawa office.

Myrn Eldercare Consulting – Marketing, Sales

The key strategic activities will include market research, developing a go to market strategy as well as implementing business analytics to support the growth of the business. The internship will provide detailed information on what aging Calgarians want/need to age safely at home. It will provide additional insight on how to help improve the care of our aging population and ways to improve access to products and services.
The sector is facing a growing challenge of providing care to elders is a fast/accessible way. The internship will help change this.

Silica Breccia Supplementary Cement Material Key Properties

The project is focusing on developing a silica breccia product having a superior reactivity that allows this product

to be used widely as an alternative supplementary cementing material in cement mixtures. The new developed

silica breccia product will be tested for effectiveness as a supplementary cementing material based on the

Canadian Standard Association (CSA) test methods prior to acceptance. Tests on other common

supplementary cementing material such as fly ash, silica fume, and metakaolin will also be conducted on

counterpart specimens for comparison. The partner organization will gain valuable insight about the

performance of different silica breccia genesis in cement mixtures. The project will aid the partner organization

to optimize their product development processes and help them achieve their business goals

Goodlawyer – Growth Manager

The Growth Manager (intern position) would be part of Goodlawyer’s efforts to adapt our marketing strategy to a pandemic-affected world. There are two overarching elements to this work: understanding how demand for legal services has shifted, and how to adapt in response. We understand that there is increased demand for certain legal services. For example, demand for employment law services has increased as a result of the current pandemic. The intern’s responsibilities will include analyzing search data to identify and predict these shifting consumer preferences, as well as developing a strategy to help position Goodlawyer to take advantage of such a shift. Partnerships will also be part of our growth strategy. The intern will be tasked with identifying the right partners and helping us build strong, mutually-beneficial relationships.