Projets novateurs réalisés

Use of fibre to improve outcomes in health-challenged piglets fed high indigestible protein

Major dietary components have been shown to affect gut health and performance of pigs, including fibre and protein. While protein has been implicated in the development of pathogen-associated post-weaning diarrhea, low dietary protein diets are inconsistent in mitigating the negative effects of protein content. The indigestible protein fraction may be more relevant. Dietary fibre has been shown to reduce the negative effects of protein through provision of an alternative substrate for microbial fermentation. A study will be performed in which the effect of dietary fibre will be examined in pigs fed a diet with high indigestible protein content and challenged with Salmonella. The results will have implications for diet formulation to improve the health and performance of newly-weaned pigs.

Use of encapsulated tryptophan to improve outcomes in health-challenged piglets

Previous research has demonstrated that provision of key functional amino acids (methionine, threonine, and tryptophan) have positive benefits on health and performance of pigs. Additional benefits may be achieved by targeted delivery of some amino acids, namely tryptophan, to specific sections of the gut. For example, encapsulation of amino acids prevents their absorption in the small intestine, allowing for delivery to the large intestine in order to have a direct effect on colonic health. Metabolites of microbial metabolism of tryptophan (i.e., indoles) have been shown to have beneficial effects on gut function. A study will be performed to determine the effect of supplementation of encapsulation of tryptophan to newly-weaned pigs under disease challenge with Salmonella. The results of this study will have implications for the formulation of diets to improve the health of newly-weaned pigs.

Machine Learning developer intern working within cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize AI-powered solutions in the Public Services Healthcare sector (2)

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Sharing a quantum machine

Quantum processing units are expected to accelerate some tasks within a high-performance computing (HPC) environment along with CPUs, GPUs and other specialized accelerators. Currently, quantum computers are used by a single user at a time, and this user has access to all the qubits of the machine. Sharing the machine between applications that only use some of the qubits would optimize how the machine is used. However, as the number of qubits available on machines grows, most applications only need a few of them. In this project, we will design approaches to share the machine between users that would run multiple applications on the machine simultaneously with and without mid-circuit measurement. The expected outcome will be a job scheduler implementing state-of-the-art scheduling algorithm that will schedule programs, potentially in asynchronous mode.

A causal framework for the interaction between antenatal corticosteroids and gestational age

Antenatal corticosteroids are life-saving drugs administered to pregnant people at risk of imminent preterm birth. As the usage of these drugs continues to expand, select studies have raised concerns about potential longer-term consequences among infants born many weeks after treatment. Yet, because the exact timing of birth is unpredictable when treatment is administered, the causal interpretation of such studies remains uncertain. We will propose a causal framework for the design and interpretation of such studies, to guide researchers investigating the potential longer-term harms of antenatal corticosteroids and clinicians weighing the potential benefits and harms.

The Rise of Fishes: A Comprehensive Analysis of Fossil Evidence for the Origin and Early Evolution of Vertebrates

The origin and early evolution of vertebrates — fishes and their descendants — represents a poorly understood phase in the deep-time ancestry of the human lineage. A series of transitions occurred between 500 and 400 million years ago from a worm-like ancestor to a bony predatory
fish with a jaw. Using Europe’s largest fossil collections at Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, I plan to reveal these elusive transitions. First, I will test two hypotheses: a) vertebrae (backbones) were acquired and then lost in primitive fishes; and b) a jaw joint evolved from a blood sinus. Then I will test alternatives to the current vertebrate classification: the presence of previously unknown radiation of poorly skeletonized fishes and the hypothetical interpretation of jawed vertebrates as highly modified members of spatula-like looking armored fishes (osteostracans). This project will provide key insights to answer why the fossil record of vertebrates contradict a simple and direct progression from primitive to advanced.

My Heartcoach for women

Our research team has worked with the Northern Alberta Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (NACRP) to develop an online, home-based cardiac rehabilitation program (“My Heart Coach”). This program provides exercises and educational activities consistent with current clinical practice guidelines.

A potential opportunity for improvement in this program and others is the development of a woman-focused cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program with the addition of mind-body wellness programming to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. The proposed project will use a multi-methods approach to include patient-prioritized and women-centered content in My Heart Coach.

Using a qualitative descriptive approach, we will explore their needs and preferences regarding mind-body wellness programming that improves anxiety and depression while attending to the objectives of CR. We will conduct semi-structured interviews with women undergoing CR. Interviews will be recorded and transcribed verbatim, with reflexive thematic analysis to identify themes. In future work, the results from this study can be used to inform the development of a women-specific online CR program that will enhance the mental well-being of women following a significant heart event.

Market research intern

The project aims to enhance understanding of customer perspectives on traditional IP legaltech and AI innovations within IP law firms in Canada. Interns will engage in primary market research by contacting and conducting interviews with IP law firms in Canada. Their goal is to gain insight into the firms’ views on product propositions tailored to this sector.Through these interviews, interns will delve into the intricacies of how conventional IP legaltech and AI advancements are perceived and utilized within Canadian IP law firms. By gathering firsthand insights from industry professionals, the project seeks to uncover nuances in the market, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately contribute to the evolution of tailored solutions that better serve the needs of these firms.

Rostock-Ottawa

The project focuses on developing machine learning (ML) techniques to improve quantum tomography and control, specifically addressing scalability issues in large quantum systems. By collaborating with experts in photonics and quantum machine learning from both the University of Ottawa and the University of Rostock, the project aims to create more efficient quantum state reconstruction methods, which will enhance quantum technologies such as quantum computing. The collaboration is expected to advance research capabilities at both institutions, leading to the development of scalable quantum information processing techniques that will benefit global efforts in quantum technology. The exchange of knowledge and expertise between these institutions will also help train the next generation of quantum scientists.

Building a Business Case for New MNP Applications

20/20 OptimEyes Technologies has developed a nanoparticle technology that can improve treatments for patients. We are moving forward into clinical trials for glaucoma, but we know we can improve other disease treatments with our technology. During this internship, our intern will evaluate other potential therapies where we could use our platform technology and build a business case for the top 5 diseases so we can create prototypes for these and test them in the lab.

Software and website platform integration

Express Voice Studio is developing an online portal to streamline payment processes through an internal system, we aim to either create a custom software or integrate an existing platform into our website for optimal efficiency.

Our commitment to customer satisfaction drives us to continually improve our services and operations, our vision is to streamline payment processes and enhance operational efficiency through a robust online portal. Which reflects on our main objective to reduce manual payment processing, minimize errors, and improve transaction times. Offering a seamless and efficient payment experience to our customers.

L2M – Disaster Management and Community Support Platform

The Disaster Management and Community Support Platform is designed to enhance disaster preparedness and response in Canadian communities by providing real-time risk assessments and fostering a robust community support network. The platform integrates features such as real-time communication, volunteer matching, resource management, and mental health support to help local governments, NGOs, and residents respond more effectively to natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and storms. Over the course of this 4-month program, the project will focus on validating market demand, identifying key stakeholder needs, and conducting a SWOT analysis to assess the platform’s potential for commercialization. Through interviews with community members, emergency responders, and local authorities, the project aims to gather essential insights that will guide its go-to-market strategy and determine the most appropriate path forward.