Projets novateurs réalisés

Snow avalanche risk management – Year two

Managing the risks from snow avalanches during winter mountain travel is vital for the Canadian avalanche industry.
An average of 14 avalanche-related fatalities per year occurred between 1997 and 2014 with the majority of those
triggering the avalanches themselves. We propose a detailed examination of avalanche risk management practices
using the conceptual model for avalanche hazard and the Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing 5-Step Checklist System.
Although widely adopted by the Canadian avalanche community, the conceptual model of avalanche hazard has not
been thoroughly analyzed. We will collect field observations of weather, snow cover, avalanches, and terrain use from
the MWHS operation. We will statistically analyze these data to examine the relationships proposed in the conceptual
model. This research will strengthen our understanding of avalanche risk, and provide important insight about how to
improve existing operational practices and communications about hazard.

Fibre-Optic Sensing with Ambient Noise for Improved Understanding of Landslide Behaviour

Landslides are natural hazards, commonly triggered by heavy rainfall, glacier melt, and permafrost degradation. This project explores an emerging fibre-optic sensing technology, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), which can enhance our understanding of slope failure processes. DAS transforms fibre-optic cables into thousands of sensors capable of detecting small-scale ground deformation in near-real-time. This project will apply coda wave interferometry to DAS data collected from a slow-moving landslide to investigate changes occurring within unstable slopes. This method uses the ambient seismic wavefield to infer changes in shear-wave velocity, a parameter closely linked to soil rigidity. By identifying shear-wave velocity changes associated with slope deformation, this project aims to improve landslide characterization. These insights could inform slope stability monitoring strategies at other sites such as tailings dams.

Qinvst Platform Engine

Qinvst Inc. is building an AI-powered financial intelligence platform to support small businesses with advanced yet accessible forecasting, valuation, and marketing attribution tools. Currently, startups struggle to afford the expertise needed to create investor-ready financial models. This project aims to democratize access to strategic financial insights without requiring expensive data science teams. The intern will play a key role in advancing Qinvst’s core technology through three objectives: (1) developing a machine learning-based channel attribution model that embeds cost-per-acquisition metrics and accounts for decaying returns on advertising spend; (2) enhancing the forecasting engine to simulate various growth scenarios and benchmark performance against industry standards; and (3) automating the generation of valuation reports by leveraging discounted cash flow methods, comparable company analysis, and ML-based regressors. Throughout the internship, the student will gain hands-on experience collaborating with the engineering and product teams, participating in strategy sessions, and accessing real-world startup data. Academic supervision will be provided bi-weekly by Professor Adelphe Ekponon to ensure research rigor and technical soundness. The final deliverables include a working prototype of the attribution model, an integrated forecasting dashboard, and an automated valuation generator, all tailored for early-stage startups.

GreenWorks Sustainability Market Research

GreenWorks is focused on developing technology solutions to help clients their sustainability requirements. Over the course of the project, we will be developing research assessments for different market segments that can help advance GreenWorks reach and capabilities. A large portion of the project will be building research reports to that can provide insight into the specific sustainability gaps and initiatives that exist within specific industries, this will include regulatory pressures, emission sources, decarbonization plans, and global initiatives. Part of the work will include an overview of the industries that have the most impact on the Albertan economy, working to establish how to create environmental balance sheet line items, with an end goal of establishing ROI values from perceived cost center activities.

YBC Digital Marketing and Sales Accelerator

This project will help Youghall Beach Company (YBC), a small business in New Brunswick, create a complete digital marketing plan from the ground up. YBC sells beach-inspired clothing and gifts that celebrate the local culture and coastline, but it currently has little online presence. With help from an intern, the company will set up and run social media accounts, plan and post content regularly, and learn how to track and improve results. By the end of the project, YBC will have a strong, consistent digital strategy that helps connect with more customers, grow its brand, and support future business success.

Improving the efficiency of clinical data sourcing to maintain accurate and relevant information on Komuni, an application on Doctalk that supports Canadian patients with hematological malignancies.

Komuni is a mission-driven application focused on providing accessible, patient-oriented information on hematological malignancies. We plan to onboard a dedicated and curious medical student to join our team for a hands-on learning experience that merges academic research with public health education.

During this placement, the student will critically evaluate peer-reviewed literature across six key disease sites: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), and Multiple Myeloma (MM). Guided by supervisors with expertise in oncology and content creation, the student will be responsible for synthesizing the latest clinical findings, translating complex medical information into concise, patient-friendly narratives. This process will involve in-depth analysis of the current treatment landscape, patient quality-of-life considerations, and emerging therapies. Through structured feedback sessions, the student will refine their ability to discern relevant information, contextualize it for non-specialist audiences, and communicate it in a clear, empathetic manner.

Beyond literature synthesis, the student will gain insights into digital health technology and patient engagement strategies, becoming familiar with Komuni’s user-centric approach. This includes attending interdisciplinary meetings to understand how clinicians, developers, and designers collaborate to ensure patients can easily navigate and understand complex data. The student will be encouraged to contribute original insights on how Komuni can continually evolve to meet patient needs—potentially shaping new patient-oriented features or improving current content presentation.

In return, this placement offers a supportive environment where clinical knowledge meets real-world application. The student will emerge with enhanced research skills, a stronger grasp of hematological malignancies, and a deeper appreciation for the value of educating and empowering patients. We look forward to partnering with a forward-thinking medical student keen to integrate scholarly learning with meaningful patient impact.

Snow avalanche risk management

Managing the risks from snow avalanches during winter mountain travel is vital for the Canadian avalanche industry.
An average of 14 avalanche-related fatalities per year occurred between 1997 and 2014 with the majority of those
triggering the avalanches themselves. We propose a detailed examination of avalanche risk management practices
using the conceptual model for avalanche hazard and the Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing 5-Step Checklist System.
Although widely adopted by the Canadian avalanche community, the conceptual model of avalanche hazard has not
been thoroughly analyzed. We will collect field observations of weather, snow cover, avalanches, and terrain use from
the MWHS operation. We will statistically analyze these data to examine the relationships proposed in the conceptual
model. This research will strengthen our understanding of avalanche risk, and provide important insight about how to
improve existing operational practices and communications about hazard.

Robot social d’assistance pour réduire les situations d’isolement et soutenir l’adoption de saines habitudes de vie chez les personnes aînées

L’accompagnement des personnes aînées en perte ou à risque de perte d’autonomie et la préservation de l’indépendance et des relations sociales constituent des priorités en termes de santé publique. Dans ce contexte, le projet de stage vise à développer le robot d’assistance sociale T-Top pour soutenir les aînés en situation d’isolement social, en s’appuyant sur la co-conception participative et la science-fiction. L’objectif est de co-construire une vision partagée de la robotique (O1), d’identifier les besoins et les freins à l’interaction avec T-Top (O2), d’explorer l’expérience vécue lors de ces interactions (O3), et d’évaluer l’impact de la co-construction de l’image de la robotique sur l’acceptabilité du prototype (O4). Des groupes de discussion et des tests d’usage seront menés auprès de personnes aînées, intégrant des extraits de science-fiction pour nourrir la réflexion sur les robots. Les données issues d’observations et d’entretiens seront analysées afin d’affiner les méthodes de co-conception et d’améliorer l’acceptabilité des technologies. En combinant robotique, participation citoyenne et culture populaire, ce projet contribue à l’innovation sociale et technologique, tout en soutenant le vieillissement actif et la qualité de vie des personnes aînées.

Development of an Integrated Biodiversity Monitoring Framework Using Ground Sensors

Veritree collaborates with businesses to integrate verified tree planting projects into their strategies, fostering sustainable environmental restoration globally. In partnership with Concordia University, this project focuses on enhancing biodiversity monitoring by evaluating sensor deployment and data collection practices while also creating tools and methodologies for processing data from sensors installed at veritree’s restoration sites. By developing streamlined and scalable approaches for biodiversity assessment, the project seeks to support better decision-making and stakeholder engagement for long-term sustainability.

Yorkton Legion Historian

The Yorkton Legion created and published a history book in 2005 that included historical information about local veterans, their service, stories, and contributions the Yorkton area, the province of Saskatchewan, and Canada as a whole. Twenty years on, new service members and veterans deserve to be honoured in an updated history book that would capture new stories of service and contributions to Canada. The Yorkton Legion is motivated to create another history record before the opportunity to gather information from aging veterans is lost. The previous version of the book was only available in hard copy, and the Legion members have a desire to be innovative in their approach to this new book and look beyond former traditional publishing methods by creating a lasting record both in a physical form and online. Preserving local veterans’ histories connects communities to the present and places Yorkton within the wider Canadian landscape. Bringing a student intern into the Legion organization for several months is also new and innovative approach to how the Legion engages with the community, particularly its youth.

Strategy and Operations Innovation Intern

The overarching goal of the internship at Upgraded is to leverage process improvements, and the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations processes, providing insights, and craft highly personalized proposals tailored to specific segments. The aim is to establish a comprehensive framework using drafting methodologies and systems that enhance the efficiency of proposals and also minimize the dependency on human resources. Subsequently, the intern will design and implement processes capable of extracting insightful information from customer data, facilitating the generation of tailored content that resonates with specific proposals. The focus will be on optimizing processes to ensure the highest levels of accuracy and relevance in the personalization of proposals and applications. The intern’s focus on streamlining operations will directly boost productivity and scalability within Upgraded, elevating its operational efficiency and strategic innovation while allowing the development of new business strategies.

Optimizing Research Grant Success: Insights and Strategies for Prairie Grants

Prairie Grants is a forward-thinking organization that simplifies the complex grant discovery and application process for Canadian start-ups. Despite the abundance of funding opportunities in Canada, many businesses struggle to access them due to limited awareness, difficulty identifying relevant programs, and inefficient, manual application procedures. Currently, Prairie Grants provides client support through manual grant matching and documentation preparation, but this approach is time-consuming, prone to human error, and lacks scalability.

To overcome these challenges, Prairie Grants aims to enhance and automate key processes by leveraging AI and machine learning. Before developing a full-scale solution, the organization needs a clear understanding of user pain points and internal operational workflows, as well as a strategic comparison of existing tools in the grant management space.

This Mitacs Business Strategy Internship will support Prairie Grants in a three-phase project. First, the intern will conduct market research and analyze stakeholder feedback to identify user challenges and barriers related to accessing government grants. In the second phase, the intern will analyze internal workflows using business analysis methods and evaluate how current practices compare to external platforms like Boast and GetGranted. In the final phase, the intern will combine insights to create strategic recommendations focused on improving service efficiency, reducing manual effort, and guiding product development.

The ideal candidate will have experience in business analysis, market research, and data visualization using tools like Excel, Power BI, or Tableau. Familiarity with process mapping and competitive platform benchmarking will also be important. The outcome of this project will directly inform Prairie Grants’ roadmap for building a scalable, user-centered digital grant platform.