Projets novateurs réalisés

Applied Geospatial Research Group (AGRG) 2025 Research Internships

The boreal zone of Alberta is under increasing pressure from natural resource extraction. Roads, seismic lines, well pads, and other industrial-disturbance features exert cumulative environmental effects on the region’s vegetation, wildlife, hydrology, and carbon dynamics. The purpose of this project is to develop remote-sensing tools and workflows that help us describe, understand, and mitigate some of these effects. Researchers from Canada (University of Calgary) and Germany (Ludwig Maximillian University of Munich) are collaborating on this research in the context of ABBY Net: the Alberta-Bavaria Research Network. The mission of ABBY-Net is to bring together researchers from Alberta, Canada and Bavaria, Germany who collaborate on interdisciplinary research and training for an improved understanding of the complex interactions in E³-Systems (Environment, Engineering and Socio-Economics) to facilitate energy systems transitions.

Tropical Torpor: Thermal Ecology of Threatened Bats

Outside the temperate zones, thermal biology (i.e., energy expenditure, microclimate choices) of bats is poorly understood. This leaves wildlife managers with little ability to set conservation priorities for tropical and sub-tropical bats in response to extreme heat events due to climate change and infectious disease. A recent risk assessment predicted that the disease white-nose syndrome (WNS) will arrive in Australia before 2029, and 30% of Australia’s cave-dwelling bats may be in danger due to their hypothesized microclimate preferences. Thus, data on thermal biology for Australian bats are critical to identify vulnerable populations and guide pre-emptive conservation efforts to protect at-risk species. Integrating thermal biology data into species distribution models allows for more accurate predictions of habitat suitability under climate change to prioritize conservation of bats at greatest risk. This project will rely on acoustic monitoring to test the influence of weather variation on bat activity, temperature telemetry to track bats to roosts and quantify expression of torpor (i.e., periods of reduced body temperature) and microclimate preferences, and respirometry to quantify metabolic rate at different temperatures. We will then use these data to refine risk assessments for WNS and extreme heat and make recommendations about most important habitats for protection.

TU Berlin Summer Research on Bacteriophage Biology and Structural Analysis

This project investigates the SPbeta bacteriophage, a model organism in phage biology with significant implications for microbiology and biotechnology. The primary objective is to develop and refine methods for its purification and biochemical characterization, enabling a detailed analysis of its structure and function. Using targeted deletion mutants, we aim to identify key genes and proteins involved in its assembly. Advanced cryo-electron microscopy will provide high-resolution visualization of the phage’s architecture, assembly pathways, and interactions with its host. These insights will enhance our understanding of bacteriophage biology and support applications such as phage-based therapies, biotechnological tools, and improved models for viral assembly and evolution. This collaborative effort between the University of Calgary and Technische Universität Berlin integrates expertise, resources, and cutting-edge research facilities. By working together, the institutions aim to drive innovation in bacteriophage research while creating valuable training opportunities for students and researchers. The project not only contributes to advancing scientific knowledge but also fosters strong ties between the institutions, paving the way for future collaborations in microbiology and biotechnology.

Identifying the Neurobiological and Behavioural Effects of Contrave as Potential Mechanisms of Weight Loss in Adults with Obesity

Background: Obesity is a common chronic disease -particularly in Western nations- that is frequently linked with the presence of other illnesses and earlier death. Typical obesity management strategies might include medication, such as the drug Contrave, which has been approved for weight loss in Canada. While Contrave reduces appetite and food cravings in most people leading to weight loss, exactly how it works on the brain, body and metabolism is unknown. The goal of this clinical research study is to examine the effects of 4-weeks of Contrave+diet vs. placebo pill+diet on the brain using electroencephalography in 40 adults with obesity. All participants will receive an individualized dietary intervention aiming for a 20% food restriction. All measures will be collected before and ~4-weeks after interventions. We hope to gain a better understanding the effects of Contrave on the brain which could lead to substantial improvements in obesity management. Obesity is often comorbid with mood and psychiatric disorders observed across many of the patient populations treated at The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, therefore, better understanding this disease will help in ameliorating its management in the general population and in complex populations treated at The Royal. This clinical research project may pave the way for future studies exploring a better understanding of the potential synergy between weight management and mood/psychiatric pharmacotherapy.

Development of a gender-sensitive organizational assessment model

The objective of this assignment is to strengthen the institutional and organizational assessment (IOA) model developed by Universalia to identify gender dimensions which affect equity and performance within an organization. To do so, the intern will be asked to proceed to a mapping of existing gender equality tools (as well as their strengths and weaknesses) used in the assessment and capacity-building of international development organizations in order to further develop the IOA model. The final product is to be made available as part of Universalia’s offer of services and will contribute to a greater understanding of the social dimensions of organizational performance.

Lessons from Indigenous Tourism and Cultural Centers and their Applicability in Mealy Mountains National Park

This research aims to explore the role that Indigenous cultural centers could play in Mealy Mountain National Park Reserve in preserving Indigenous culture and promoting Indigenous tourism. Key objectives include understanding lessons from successful Indigenous cultural centers, determining how these lessons apply to the NunatuKavut community, and developing strategies to integrate cultural preservation into tourism practices. Research activities involve literature reviews, case studies of established cultural centers, and community engagement through focus group sessions and interviews to align with local values. The NunatuKavut community will directly benefit from a tailored framework that supports the development of a cultural center aligned with their goals, promoting cultural revival and local economic growth through tourism.

Enhancing Services to Seniors in NL through Social Enterprise Expansion

Connections for Seniors (CFS) is a nonprofit organization in Newfoundland and Labrador dedicated to helping seniors maintain dignity, independence, and quality of life through essential services like housing, transportation, and meal programs. To meet growing demand, CFS is expanding its social enterprise efforts with the goal of generating more revenue for its programs. This project involves developing a strategic plan to improve digital presence, enhance community outreach, and build strategic partnerships. By addressing these areas, the project will strengthen CFS’s ability to provide essential services to seniors in NL, while creating sustainable revenue streams and engaging in mutually beneficial collaborations with other organizations.

High resolution PET imaging systems for small animal imaging

There is an increasing demand for high resolution multimodality imaging of research animals, such as mice and rats, to allow non-invasive monitoring of disease models and therapeutic interventions. This project focuses on the development of a new positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system that can be operated inside a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. Once complete, this system will allow simultaneous high resolution PET/MRI imaging of research animals. Specific projects to be undertaken in this Mitacs cluster include firmware develop for the data acquisition system and software development for data processing, image reconstruction and data corrections. The partner organization, Cubresa, Inc., is a manufacturer of dedicated small animal SPECT imaging equipment and will benefit from hosting interns skilled in nuclear medicine imaging with direct knowledge of data acquisition system, image reconstruction and data correction. This industry-academia partnership will serve to provide the interns in this project with first-hand experience in Canadian based industry, creating skilled personnel ready for employment in Canadian industry.

Equitas – Automatisation des processus financiers et operationnels avec IA

Equitas est un organisme à but non lucratif qui œuvre à promouvoir l’égalité, la justice sociale et le respect de la dignité humaine à travers des programmes d’éducation aux droits humains transformateurs, tant au Canada qu’à l’international.
Equitas se concentre sur la formation et le renforcement des capacités des individus et des communautés vulnérables pour qu’ils puissent défendre et promouvoir les droits humains. Cela inclut des ateliers, des formations en ligne et des initiatives communautaires.
Avec ses ressources humaines et financières restreintes, Equitas se trouve confronté à des défis opérationnels pour réaliser ses activités et transférer les ressources aux bénéficiaires des programmes dans les temps, ce qui impacte son efficacité et sa performance dans les domaines cités ci-dessus.
Ainsi, Equitas doit relever le défi de moderniser et d’automatiser ses processus financiers et opérationnels pour améliorer l’efficacité et la précision dans ses opérations.
Ce projet d’automatisation avec l’intelligence artificielle permettra à Equitas de surmonter ces défis en optimisant les opérations quotidiennes, réduisant les erreurs humaines et libérant du temps pour se concentrer sur ses missions principales. Cela va au-delà des activités courantes en introduisant des technologies avancées qui transformeront la manière dont l’organisation fonctionne.
Pour résoudre ce problème, une expertise en intelligence artificielle, en automatisation des processus et en gestion du changement est nécessaire. Des compétences en analyse de données et en développement de logiciels seront également cruciales pour la mise en œuvre réussie de ce projet.
L’innovation que nous projetons entre autre de mettre en place est la création d’un agent virtuel sur le site web interne des employés pour effectuer des recherches dynamiques et rapides sur les documents et les outils nécessaires aux activités quotidiennes, en fournissant à l’agent virtuel une base de connaissances financières et en l’entraînant.

New User Enrollment System

Digital Link Inc., a leader in IT support, digital marketing, and web design, is addressing inefficiencies in its client onboarding process through the development of a New User Enrollment System. The current manual process is prone to delays, errors, and lacks transparency, leading to challenges in client satisfaction and operational efficiency. This new system will automate and streamline the entire onboarding experience, offering a secure, scalable, and user-friendly platform.

The New User Enrollment System will feature a web-based portal where clients can register and submit information easily. Back-end processes will validate and process data in real time, eliminating manual errors and significantly speeding up approvals. The system will also integrate with communication platforms to provide automated updates, ensuring transparency for clients throughout the process. Advanced security measures will protect sensitive data, while the system’s scalability will accommodate future business growth.

This project is expected to deliver significant benefits, including increased operational efficiency, reduced administrative costs, and improved client satisfaction. By processing over 90% of enrollment requests within 24 hours, Digital Link will enhance its reputation as a leader in client-focused digital solutions. The system also aligns with environmental sustainability goals by eliminating paper-based processes, reducing waste, and supporting sustainable practices.

Assessing Content Authenticity Through Data-Driven Studies and Visual Insights

The proposed project aims to enhance Originality.ai’s role in the evolving digital content industry by addressing challenges in content authenticity and originality. The project focuses on creating impactful studies and data visualizations that leverage large datasets to evaluate trends, technologies, and methodologies in AI-generated content detection. By developing proprietary insights and tools, this initiative will strengthen Originality.ai’s competitive edge and thought leadership in the field. The expected benefits include improved tools and resources for clients, elevated credibility in content integrity solutions, and valuable contributions to advancing ethical practices in the digital content ecosystem.

Content centric networks

The advent of smartphones and the associated change in usage patterns indicates that carrier voice revenues are constantly going down and are expected to almost vanish in the near future. Data revenues are picking up but not at a rate which will make up for the shortfall in voice revenues. Also, the increase in data revenue is accompanied by a corresponding increase in traffic. This leads to higher costs in deploying and operating networks as well as a significant growth in network complexity. In this project we will be working on
= Mechanisms to optimize network usage by increasing utilization
= Optimizations for content delivery
= Simplified network architectures
= Mechanisms for reducing operating costs (including transport & peering)