Projets novateurs réalisés

Applications of Homological Algebra to Toplogical Data Analysis

The use of large data sets in today’s world necessitates robust methods for classifying data. Topological data analysis (TDA) studies the shape of data collected in a geometric space. It has been applied to numerous data analysis problems, from glass manufacturing to cancer research.

TDA involves examining the data at different distances. TDA constructs a geometric space by connecting data points that are at most distance D away from each other. As D changes, topological features of the space appear and disappear. The collection of these features at each D is called a 1-module.

However, 1-modules can be susceptible to outliers. This can be addressed by introducing additional parameters, such as density, creating a 2-module. Representation theorists usually simplify 2-modules into an invariant that captures some features and allows comparison of different 2-modules. Invariants are created by approximating a 2-module by a sequence of simpler modules.

There are many different invariants, each with distinct capabilities and computational efficiencies. This project will develop efficient invariants and create a common framework for invariants. This will provide a method for selecting the appropriate invariant for a given application. We aim to develop new tools and frameworks, making TDA more powerful and widely applicable.

A PROPOSAL FOR CONTINUATION OF A RESEARCH PROGRAM TO INVESTIGATE THE ROLE OF CATHEPSIN K IN OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) AND CREATE NEW DIAGNOSTIC ASSAYS FOR THE EARLY DETECTION OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis is a chronic painful disease of joints that involves the progressive destruction of the articular cartilage and bone and leads to pain. It affects both humans and animals. Animals can serve as models for the human disease and in this case we will study equine OA. There is currently no effective medication that can effectively reverse the cartilage destruction in OA. This is mediated by enzymes. It was believed to be due to MMP enzymes alone until recently we showed that Cathepsin K is also involved. It is currently believed that we should try to identify cartilage degeneration early to attempt to preserve the structure. At this early stage the degeneration is not visible on X rays or MRI. However, when the enzymes break up the cartilage matrix ( collagen in particular), they release signature fragments that can be detected in the body fluids. Our goal is to be able to develop a body fluid test that will allow us to detect the specific breakdown of the articular cartilage in a patient by the enzyme Cathespin K. This would be in the very early molecular phases of the disease.

Preclinical development of long-acting injectable antibiotic gels for the pharmacotherapy of drug-resistant tuberculosis

The project was initiated to tackle the public health crisis posed by the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which is more challenging to treat than drug-sensitive TB and typically requires longer treatment regimens (i.e., > 18 months). Treating MDR-TB involves daily medication usage (either as oral tablets, capsules, liquids or injections) making adherence to treatment difficult for patients thus leading to a significant reduction in therapeutic success. The study aims to develop a long-acting injectable formulation (LA-IF) containing two leading TB antibiotics — levofloxacin and linezolid. The proposed LA-IF will reduce the burden of daily pills, minimize dosing frequency, decrease administration pain/discomfort to the bare minimum, enhance patient compliance and recovery, augment clinical outcomes and ultimately improve patient wellbeing. The project is expected to foster ongoing collaborations between the home and host institution, paving the way for future joint research initiatives. Additionally, the development of more effective drug products could have substantial economic benefits for Canada through the creation of opportunities for commercialization. It is envisioned that this project will advance expertise, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, promote synergistic knowledge generation, human capacity development and innovation in the Canadian pharmaceutical/biomedical sector. These activities will improve Canada’s stature within the global research community.

A Critical Analysis of the Erba Massacre Case

This project aims to critically analyze the Erba Massacre case, in which an Italian couple, Rosa Bazzi and Olindo Romano, were convicted of murder but may have falsely confessed to the crime. Many experts believe their confessions were influenced by a combination of psychological factors and problematic police interviewing techniques. By examining case materials such as interview transcripts, psychological evaluations, and police reports, the study will analyze how internal factors—like personality disorders—interact with external factors, such as the pressure from law enforcement, to shape false confessions. The expected benefits for participating institutions, including Maastricht University in the Netherlands and Carleton University in Canada, are significant. This research will contribute to a deeper understanding of false confessions by examining a real world case. Additionally, the collaboration with renowned experts in the field, including researchers from the University of Padua in Italy, will elevate the quality and credibility of the research, fostering an exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives. Ultimately, the findings will not only advance academic knowledge but also have the potential for practical implications for improving police interviewing techniques. This collaborative effort will enhance the reputation of the participating institutions as leaders in forensic psychology research.

Dabbawala Kingston: Delivery Stories

Dabbawala Kingston: Delivery Stories explores contemporary challenges around migrant labor and study abroad. This research-creation documentary film shines a light on a recent development in Canada and the world more generally: migrants laboring in service work on student visas. Our investigation of this nexus through documentary film allows Dabbawala Kingston to also tell the multi-faceted tales of the people most impacted: the student/workers themselves.

A Point-of-Care Test for Tick-Borne Diseases

Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It requires early detection for effective antibiotic treatment. Unfortunately, Lyme disease is hard to diagnose, and current tests require trained scientists, specialized lab settings, and expensive equipment. Here, the project aims to develop a quick, low-cost, and user-friendly test for Lyme disease that can be used outside of labs. Our approach combines a robust amplification method with the CRISPR-Cas system for detecting Lyme-causing bacteria with high specificity and sensitivity. With this tool, we aim to provide faster and improved diagnostics, enabling timely treatment and improved patient outcomes, especially for people in remote or low resource communities.

Short-term effects of anthropogenic sediment additions on biogeochemical properties of the Fraser River Estuary

The Fraser River estuary tidal marsh is declining, and loss of this key habitat has wide ecosystem implications, from supporting juvenile salmon to migrating shorebirds. The Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Project is attempting to reverse this trend. This project will assess the short-term effects of anthropogenic sediment additions through assessment of biogeochemical and microalgal indicators.

Developing rheologocal models for bubble flow in complex fluids

This project aims to improve our understanding of bubble dynamics in complex, non-Newtonian fluids, which display elastic, viscous, and plastic behaviors. These materials can be found in processes like oil sand extraction and food processing. Current models, such as the Herschel-Bulkley and Bingham models, fail to account for long-term material changes caused by prior bubbles, which create preferential paths that subsequent bubbles follow. This research will develop a new elasto-viscoplastic (EVP) model that includes a time-dependent damage evolution term to capture these lasting effects. The model will be validated against experimental data and benchmarked using numerical simulations, providing more accurate predictions of bubble movement in real-world scenarios. These improvements will help industries better manage processes involving complex fluids, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from tailing ponds and optimizing fluid flow in food and wastewater systems.

Water-Safe UV Curable Antimicrobials Nanoscale coatings for Plastics

Our research is focused on finding new ways to combat the spread of Hospital acquired infections (HAI’s) in hospitals and other institutional work places. Our research combines a new non-leaching chemical nanotechnology that forms a protective barrier to difficult surfaces and kills bacteria on contact. The nanocoatings are water based and fix readily to surfaces such as plastic by exposure to low UV radiation. These transparent nanocoatings are invisible to the naked eye but act as sentinels and avoid the formation of harmful bacterial colonies

Quantifying fusarium toxins in greenhouse-derived matrices

Canadian sweet peppers have become common in our grocery stores, providing us with year-round access to fresh produce. These are grown in greenhouses, but in the past two years, a mould, fusarium, has been found attacking greenhouse peppers across the world. The best weapon against this mould is clean water and early detection, but this early detection is done by looking for chemicals in the water and no Canadian lab has this capacity. This partnership between the SEF Centre for Horticultural Innovation, and the Trant Team at the University of Windsor combines genomic sequencing with chemistry to find better ways to detect moulds early, and to establish this tool into Canada so that we can protect our food, act fast, and reduce waste.

Analytical Techniques for Understanding and Enhancing Consumer Sustainability Behaviour

This research explores the factors influencing Generation Z and Millennial consumers’ engagement with sustainable fashion, particularly within collaborative consumption models. By applying machine learning techniques, the study segments consumers based on their sustainability behaviors and identifies key drivers and barriers, such as cost, quality, and environmental awareness. Clustering methods are also employed to uncover patterns in consumer preferences and brand attributes, enhancing market segmentation. Additionally, robust optimization techniques are used to improve the reliability of predictive models. The ultimate goal is to provide brands with insights to better align their marketing efforts with environmentally conscious values and foster a broader shift toward sustainability.

La motivation à réviser avec Évadigraphe

Ce projet de recherche vise à évaluer la motivation à réviser d’élèves du premier secondaire dans un contexte de dictées numériques et manuscrites. Les dictées numériques seront réalisées par l’entremise d’ÉvadiGraphe, qui est un outil numérique permettant la réalisation de dictées diagnostiques offrant une rétroaction simultanée et détaillée sur les types d’erreurs orthographiques. Le projet proposé a pour but de comparer la motivation à réviser d’élèves du premier cycle du secondaire dans trois conditions : 1) dans des classes où des dictées seront rédigées à la main, sans support numérique et avec la rétroaction habituelle de la personne enseignante, 2) dans des classes où des dictées diagnostiques seront réalisées à deux reprises avec ÉvadiGraphe et 3) dans des classes où, en plus des deux dictées diagnostiques, des dictées d’entraînement avec ÉvadiGraphe auront lieu régulièrement. Ce projet permettra de recueillir des données et de vérifier l’apport d’ÉvadiGraphe sur la motivation à réviser d’élèves du premier cycle du secondaire.