Projets novateurs réalisés

Informing clinical practice and pandemic preparedness at The Hospital for Sick Children using the POPCORN COVID-19 database

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges in the provision of optimal patient care, including at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). For instance, there was a lack of evidence regarding appropriate viral testing and interventions, and the virus was also associated with adverse health events occurring well beyond acute infection. In response, SickKids has been a collaborating site of POPCORN, a large hospital-based consortium of sixteen tertiary care paediatric hospitals. The consortium has collected rich clinical data regarding both short- and long-term outcomes of COVID-19 (e.g., long COVID, disability, mental health, socio-emotional functioning). The consortium also offers a framework which can be adapted for future pathogens of pandemic potential. The aim of this project will be to investigate the POPCORN COVID-19 database and its overall quality, and to describe the POPCORN COVID-19 population. Deliverables of the project will include a report to SickKids clinicians and administrators to inform clinical practice regarding short- and long-term outcomes of COVID-19, and also to recommend areas for database quality improvement. Novel pathogens will continue to emerge and pose a threat to child health, and completion of the proposed project will strengthen pandemic preparedness at SickKids by facilitating high-quality and rapid knowledge generation.

Modernization of Chinese Earth-Sheltered Dwellings

The proposed research project will be to visit survey and document post and modern cave dwellings, live in the villages, getting to know the local villagers and craftsmen, and engage in cross-cultural and interdisciplinary research. Through method of record, from measured drawings to statistical analysis, full scale details to test of structural performance or climate regulations, which we can apply to cave dwelling as a preparation for their application to more complex architecture. Through living together with local craftsmen and villagers, attending local rituals and customs, observing the village’s relationship to nature and cosmology, I hope to understand the meanings and symbolic roles of cave dwellings in society. To conclude my thesis study, I plan to renovate an abandoned cave dwelling; employing the lessons and experiences I gain during the research, and integrating modern amenities to the wise traditional ways of building.

TensorNetwork MLIPs

Molecular dynamics simulations predict how individual atoms in a protein or material (or many other systems) evolve over time, allowing the detailed in silico study of atomistic processes. The most important input into those simulations is the force field, which specifies the interaction between individual atoms. For many technologically important processes such as electro-catalysis, or biochemical reactions only quantum mechanical models of interaction provide sufficient precision, but too computationally expensive. This project will contribute to the development of machine learning interatomic potentials, which “learn” the interaction between atoms from quantum-mechanical models but with significantly reduced computational demands. This technology opens up new abilities for scientific and industrial research to understand and control the behaviour of materials and of biological systems at the atomistic level.

Développer la philanthropie d’entreprise pour les arts et la culture: Une approche stratégique pour le Théâtre de la Ville

Le sens donné à la philanthropie culturelle par les entreprises du Québec est un phénomène ayant été relativement peu étudié jusqu’à maintenant. Or, mieux comprendre cela peut jouer une fonction stratégique pour les institutions culturelles qui, face à un financement étatique insuffisant, cherchent à atteindre une plus grande autonomie financière. C’est le cas du Théâtre de la Ville de Longueuil, qui voit en la philanthropie culturelle un moteur pouvant lui permettre de mieux faire face aux défis auxquels il est confronté, notamment la vétusté et la capacité d’accueil limitée de ses salles de spectacles existantes.
Lors d’une recherche suivant un devis mixte séquentiel explicatif, nous collecterons des données auprès de PME de plus de 250 employés et de grandes entreprises (plus de 500 employés) situées sur la Rive-Sud de Montréal afin de mieux comprendre leurs rapports à la philanthropie culturelle. Cette étude, en plus de mener à la production de connaissances savantes originales concernant un phénomène trop peu étudié au Québec, va conduire à l’élaboration des bases d’une stratégie de communication visant à mousser les dons des organisations de la Rive-Sud de Montréal au Théâtre de la Ville.

Evaluation of a new program for mental health patients in the emergency department

NYGH has opened a new mental health and addiction-focused area in its emergency department. Part of the development of this new area includes integrating staff from community-based organizations to better connect patients with outpatient treatment services as well as other health and social supports they may need.
The practicum will involve developing an understanding of the new model of care to support transitions of patients from the Emergency Department to care settings that can better meet their ongoing needs,

Metering and Aggregation, and, Electrification of Buildings Part 2

With the pressing need to reduce energy from carbon emitting sources, electrification of buildings is a crucial step forward. Electrification requires identifying activities and equipment that use energy received from carbon emitting sources and transitioning them to electric alternatives. The proposed research focuses on developing methods and strategies to overcome challenges associated with building electrification and load prediction models.
This project will benefit the partner organization by identifying opportunities for energy costs savings, supporting the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.

Développer un algorithme de détection des mouvements des mains et des doigts avec le Leap Motion Controller pour une interaction intuitive remplaçant la souris et le clavier par des gestes naturels

Le projet de recherche vise à développer un algorithme avancé de détection des mouvements des mains et des doigts en 3D en utilisant le Leap Motion Controller, l’objectif est de créer une expérience utilisateur améliorée qui remplace l’utilisation traditionnelle des périphériques comme la souris et le clavier par des gestes de la main. Cet algorithme permettra d’améliorer l’accessibilité technologique, notamment pour les personnes à mobilité réduite, et répondra aux besoins croissants d’interactions sans contact dans des environnements exigeant une hygiène stricte ou avec des espaces limités. Le stagiaire, supervisé par des experts en IA et vision par ordinateur, acquerra des compétences en traitement d’images, apprentissage automatique et développement d’algorithmes, tout en intégrant des dispositifs interactifs dans des systèmes complexes. Ce projet, mené dans un cadre de recherche avancé, favorisera l’innovation en interfaces humain-machine et pourrait avoir un impact significatif sur des secteurs comme la santé, l’éducation et les technologies d’assistance, stimulant ainsi l’inclusion et la créativité technologique.

Biodegradable Scaffolds with Enhanced Conductivity, EMI Shielding, and Mechanical Strength

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biocompatible material widely used in 3D printing. However, its application in bone tissue engineering is limited due to slow degradation and inadequate mechanical strength. To address this, we propose a conductive, biodegradable scaffold incorporating calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to improve mechanical properties. Conductive elements, such as carbon-based materials, are added to enhance electrical conductivity, which aids bone repair and regeneration by delivering electrical stimuli. A novel feature of this study is the integration of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding into the scaffolds to ensure precise electrical stimulation, even in the presence of external electromagnetic fields. This composite mimics the natural conductivity of bone (0.07–0.02 S.m-1), while offering enhanced mechanical strength and EMI shielding. The scaffold will be fabricated using 3D printing, optimizing both mechanical and electrical performance for bone repair applications. The EMI shielding properties and conductivity of the composite will be studied through machine learning method. This research offers a sustainable approach to producing multifunctional materials, benefiting Northern Canada by fostering innovative, resource-efficient models for advanced healthcare solutions.

Continuous, Directed Evolution of Human Opioid Receptors in Yeast

Cell-based biosensors are living cells that have been genetically engineered to detect and measure different chemicals of interest. Similar to the cells in our nose that allow us to smell isoamyl-alcohol (banana), or allyl thiol (garlic), biosensors use protein receptors and produce a measurable read-out such as fluorescence to determine the amount of target molecule present. We have developed a biosensor in brewer’s yeast that is capable of detecting different opioids, such as morphine and codeine which are very important pain-medications. These sensors offer a reliable and low-cost method to screen through thousands of chemicals and can help identify promising candidates during drug design campaigns without relying on expensive analytical methods and animal testing. This project’s goal is to engineer these opioid receptors in yeast so that they can detect additional types of opioids at lower concentrations. In a partnership with a world-leading protein engineering group at the University of California, Irvine, we will modify the structures of the three human opioid receptors in our yeast sensors using advanced techniques and expand the capabilities of our drug-screening platform. This project stands to contribute to the development of safer, cheaper, and less addictive medicines.

Nourishment Nook Retail Collective

In September of 2023 a group of Capstone/Enactus NAIT students started work on a plan to reimagine the Glenrose corner store. Based on successful prototyping using a popup proof of concept model, Enactus NAIT, through a purpose built not-for-profit, ran a joint venture with Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (GRH) to pilot and refine the business model over an eight month period from May to December 2024.
To move this project forward, a full-time manager and business strategist was hired. This was a perfect role for a NAIT Bachelor of Business Administration Co-op student. This manager was responsible for scaling the project from pop-ups to full operations and guiding it through the pilot period to a permanent operation that meets the objectives outlined below. This student was guided and supported by GRH leadership, Enactus NAIT, the Mawji Centre for Student Entrepreneurship, and faculty advisors.
Starting in January ENAA (the not-for-profit) proposes to hire another Co-op student to continue innovating the operation by researching, developing, and implementing an e-commerce platform, expanding vendor relations, and enhancing volunteer participation.

Recommender Model Development

Popular content-driven websites like YouTube, Vimeo and Soundcloud receive a large amount of content annually and are visited by billions of users world-wide. However, the majority of the content on these sites has little to no structure. For example, many videos on YouTube are only found in the personal playlists and have virtually no user interaction or content data. Consequently, while many of these videos could be of high interest to the YouTubes community, a lack of reliable information makes it very difficult for recommender systems to surface them. This increasingly leads to the unwanted phenomenon where a tiny fraction of content goes viral, and the rest is never seen by anyone except the creator and his/her small network of friends. Milq aims to solve this problem through collaboration.
The intern is going to research and develop a recommender system by leveraging techniques from machine learning and information retrieval domains. The main goal of the project is to build and deploy a production-level system that would provide accurate personalized recommendations to every user on Milq, which is itself designed to be used by everyone seeking video or audio entertainment or to engage in a cultural experience.

Désarmer la désinformation climatique : une formation critique de terrain et en ligne pour les jeunes publics

Ce projet propose une formation en ligne axée sur l’esprit critique et la maîtrise de l’information, en mobilisant des disciplines comme la climatologie et les nouvelles technologies. À l’intersection des enjeux contemporains, il aborde des thèmes cruciaux tels que l’infobésité, l’impact de l’intelligence artificielle sur la désinformation, et les fausses informations touchant le climat et l’IA.

Ce projet allie des dimensions scientifiques, techniques et sociétales, conférant ainsi une grande originalité à sa démarche. Il s’adresse aux jeunes adultes et étudiant·es du postsecondaire, un public souvent confronté à ces enjeux mais rarement outillé pour en être acteur·rice. Le format numérique favorise une formation autonome, permettant un suivi à long terme et une collecte de données structurée. Bien qu’elle soit ponctuelle, cette formation se veut interactive et évolutive, avec des perspectives d’enrichissement par des formats complémentaires comme une exposition itinérante.

Ce projet s’inscrit dans la lignée de collaborations entre l’Agence Science-Presse et l’Université Concordia, avec pour ambition de renforcer la pensée critique et l’engagement des jeunes vis-à-vis des questions contemporaines, en développant leur capacité à naviguer dans un environnement informationnel complexe et en constante évolution.