Projets novateurs réalisés

Exploring the Influence of Race on the Coach-Athlete Relationship to Inform Mentorship Practices

This project, in partnership with the Ahead of the Game Youth Mentoring Organization (AOTG), investigates how race influences the coach-athlete relationship, particularly in the context of sport-based youth mentorship for under-resourced Black youth in rural Nova Scotia. AOTG has been facilitating such programs for over a decade and has found that relevant and relatable coaches and mentors are required to ”meet participants where they are at” to provide them with a quality developmental experience. Drawing on critical race theory and Jowett’s 3+1C model of coaching, this study explores interpersonal dynamics between coaches and Black youth athletes to enhance AOTG’s mentor recruitment, onboarding, and training practices. The research consists of two phases: first, varsity coaches at St. Francis Xavier University will wear body cameras during practices, followed by stimulated recall interviews to analyze coaching behaviors and decisions. In the second phase, focus groups with Black youth athletes will examine their perceptions of coaching relationships. The intern will assist in ethics submissions, recruitment, data collection and analysis, and knowledge mobilization. The insights gained aim to inform more culturally responsive and effective mentor-mentee relationships in youth sport programs.

Improved tools for monitoring primitive human blood development

STEMCELL Technologies is a rapidly growing Vancouver-based Canadian biotech company with more than 500
employees and annual sales of more than $80M worldwide primarily serving the burgeoning stem cell field. Blood
stem cells were one of the first type of stem cell to be identified and have been used clinically for many
transplantation applications for almost 50 years. Nevertheless, new ways of assessing specific subpopulations and
their responses to various drugs and genetic alteration are needed by clinical, basic science and pharmaceutical
investigators. Dr. Nakamichi, an MD PhD, under the joint supervision of Dr. Jiang in the Terry Fox Laboratory of the BC Cancer Agency and Dr. Szilvassy at STEMCELL will develop and validate new reagents for assessing the growth of
normal and leukemic human blood cell precursors in culture and after transplantation into mice that lack an immune
system to enable reliable use of these approaches by non-specialists.

Enjeux d’accès et d’adoption des antipsychotiques à longue action au Canada

Questions de recherche : Quels sont les principaux obstacles d’accès et d’adoption des antipsychotiques injectables à action prolongée (IAP) au Canada, et comment peut-on favoriser leur utilisation dans le parcours des patients atteints de la schizophrénie? Pourquoi est-ce que les médecins hésitent à prescrire les IAP aux patients schizophrènes? Teva Canada Innovation (TCI), une division de Teva Canada Limitée, est impliquée dans le lancement de nouveaux produits de spécialité et réalise des activités de surveillance à la suite de leur commercialisation. Le projet en collaboration avec l’organisme partenaire vise à mieux comprendre les raisons liées à la sous-utilisation des antipsychotiques injectables à action prolongée et quelles solutions pourraient être proposées pour mieux les surmonter. Il a été démontré que l’utilisation des IAP est associée à une meilleure adhérence au traitement par rapport aux antipsychotiques oraux. En adoptant la prise des IAP plus tôt dans le parcours du patient, cela pourrait améliorer les symptômes, la qualité de vie et, par conséquent, le pronostic des patients atteints de schizophrénies. Sur le plan économique, les IAP permettraient d’éviter les rechutes et réduire le fardeau économique de la maladie. Augmenter l’adoption des IAP peut résulter à des économies annuelles de 35 0000$ par patient grâce à la diminution des services de santé, tels que les services d’urgence et les hospitalisations. [1] La réduction des hospitalisations et de leurs durées contribue également à la baisse des couts. [1]

Développement d’un système d’intégration et d’augmentation des données pour la détection des fractures atypiques et complexes en utilisant des infrastructures de calcul avancées

Ce projet vise à développer un système intelligent pour aider les médecins à détecter et segmenter avec précision les fractures osseuses atypiques et complexes à partir d’images médicales comme le scanner (CT) ou l’IRM. Ces types de fractures sont particulièrement difficiles à identifier avec les méthodes traditionnelles en raison de leur rareté, de leur diversité morphologique et de la complexité des images.

Le projet s’appuiera sur des techniques avancées d’intelligence artificielle et sur les infrastructures de calcul haute performance au Canada pour harmoniser et améliorer la qualité des images, générer de nouvelles données à l’aide de modèles de génération d’images.

Digital agriculture: Non-destructive Phenotyping and Disease Symptom Monitoring using Remote Sensing

Agriculture must meet the needs of the continuously growing world population. To this end, sustainable strategies that improve resource use efficiency (human, fuel, water, herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers), reduce inputs and environmental impacts, and sensing methodologies that provide actionable information are in demand. This research will increase the potential for collecting high-quality data in the field to break the data bottleneck and automate data analysis processes to conduct routine biological investigations and phenotypic predictions. The project aims to develop a digital scouting method that enables farmers to conduct routine biological investigations and phenotypic predictions of crops using remote sensing.

An inboard flap system for Superwake’s solar-electric drone

Superwake designs, manufactures, and operates fixed-wing solar-electric drones, delivering long-endurance aerial services for government and commercial clients. The company’s core activity is providing persistent, energy-efficient data collection and monitoring via solar-powered flight. This project aims to design and implement an inboard flap system to enhance aerodynamic control, with a specific focus on improving landing performance. The main challenge is achieving greater low-speed lift and stability during descent and touchdown, without adding significant weight or compromising the drone’s aerodynamic efficiency. Improved landing capability is essential for safe and repeatable operations, particularly in remote or constrained environments. The anticipated benefits include safer landings, reduced wear and tear, and increased mission reliability—ultimately strengthening Superwake’s operational capabilities and market competitiveness in sustainable drone services.

Intact : Harmonisation du processus d’indiqué et de segmentation

Intact : Harmonisation du processus d’indiqué et de segmentation

Principales activités du partenaire :
Intact Assurance est la plus importante société d’assurance automobile, habitation et entreprises au pays ainsi que le choix de plus de quatre millions de consommateurs.

Problématique et avantages escomptés du projet :
L’objectif de ce projet est d’intégrer de manière cohérente le processus d’indiqué et celui de la segmentation, actuellement traités séparément. Ce projet explore une nouvelle approche en effectuant simultanément l’apprentissage du niveau de taux global et de la segmentation à l’aide de techniques issues de la science des données. Le projet permettra d’explorer une avenue afin d’améliorer l’efficacité de certains processus utilisés dans la tarification, tout en ayant recours à la science des données.

Identification of transcription factors involved in cannabinoid biosynthesis and glandular trichome formation – Year two

As an important medicinal plant, Cannabis sativa produces bioactive molecules that provide symptom relief for
conditions such as severe cancer pain, nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. The cannabinoid
biosynthetic pathway that generates bioactive molecules has been studied for over a decade. However, understanding
of transcriptional regulators that control cannabinoid synthesis is fairly limited. The primary site of cannabinoid
biosynthesis is glandular trichomes that form on female flowers. Transcription factors have been shown to play a role
of importance in trichome formation and development in model plant Arabidopsis and a closely-related species
Humulus. The underling regulation mechanisms of cannabis trichome formation remain ambiguous. If the regulatory
network controlling cannabinoids synthesis can be well established, it will open the door to modify or breed marijuana
plants for improved pharmacological properties. Identifying transcription factors that involved in cannabinoid
biosynthesis and glandular trichome formation will enrich the knowledge for biotechnological modification of
cannabis.

Magnetoactive Photochemical Liquid Crystal Elastomers

This project focuses on developing smart materials that can move or change shape in response to light and magnetic fields with the synthesis of Thiolacrylate-Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCE) with the incorporation of superparamagnetic or ferromagnetic particles. These materials, called liquid crystal elastomers, have potential applications in soft robots, which are flexible machines that can be used in areas like medicine or delicate manufacturing. By working together, the University of Waterloo and the Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA-CSIC) will combine their unique knowledge and tools to create new ways of making these materials. This collaboration will help both institutions advance their research and train students in cutting-edge technologies for the future of soft robotics.

FabStation Outside-in Tracking

This research project will explore how to make augmented reality (AR) tools more accurate and easier to use in steel fabrication workshops. The intern will work with Eterio Realities Inc., a Canadian company that created FabStation. This AR system helps workers see 3D digital models overlaid on steel parts to guide their work. Currently, FabStation uses tracking, which sometimes becomes inaccurate in large or busy environments. To fix this, the intern will test a different tracking system that uses external cameras to understand the position of tools and devices better. The intern will compare how well this system works and try connecting it to the existing FabStation platform. By the end of the project, a working prototype will be built to show the improved accuracy on devices like tablets. This will help Eterio make FabStation more reliable, cost-effective, and easier to use in actual factories, allowing the company to reach more customers and stay ahead in the AR technology market.

Electrochemical Synthesis of a-Manganese Dioxide on Oxidized Carbon Felt for Enhanced Fuel Cell Catalysis

Gaia Refinery is a Canadian cleantech company focused on sustainable resource recovery and carbon management. Its core mission is to develop low-impact technologies for converting waste carbon streams into high-value products such as bio-carbon materials, fuels, and catalysts. In collaboration with Lambton College, Gaia Refinery is supporting this project to explore the development of low-cost, high-performance electrocatalysts based on modified carbon felt for fuel cell applications.
One of the company’s current technical challenges is identifying scalable, eco-friendly materials and surface treatments that can enhance electrochemical reactivity without relying on precious metals. This project addresses that need by chemically oxidizing carbon felts and electrodepositing a-MnO2, a low-cost, earth-abundant catalyst, onto their surfaces.
The outcomes will support Gaia Refinery’s R&D objectives by generating technical data and scalable fabrication protocols for novel catalyst structures. Economically, this could reduce catalyst costs in fuel cell stacks and broaden their applications in clean energy technologies. Socially, the project contributes to Canada’s net-zero goals by advancing green alternatives to fossil-fuel-based energy systems. The project also helps build applied research capacity at Lambton College while training students in clean energy and materials innovation as identified in Mitacs – Umbrella Part 1 application section 2.1.1 and 2.1.2.

The Pulse of Rural MB: 2025

This project, led by the Rural Development Institute (RDI) and Rural Manitoba Economic Development (RMED), aims to understand the key trends and challenges facing rural communities in Manitoba. Many rural communities struggle due to limited access to reliable, local data. This makes it hard for decision-makers like mayors, planners, and local leaders to create effective policies or programs. The project will collect and analyze information on things like population changes, jobs, housing, internet access, climate change, and more. The interns will work with data from several sources to spot patterns, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. The results will be shared in a final report and webinar, helping local communities make better decisions and plans. For RMED, this research will provide critical insights to support rural growth and resilience across the province.