Projets novateurs réalisés

Pointing System For the GigaBIT Balloon-borne Telescope

The GigaBIT experiment is a telescope with the resolution of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, but with a much larger field of view. When GigaBIT is flown on a several month long mission on a stratospheric balloon, GigaBIT will be the most capable telescope in the world for multi-color visible light observations.

The Interns will work with StarSpec Technologies to design and build the high-precision pointing system required to ensure sharp images while hanging from a balloon in the stratosphere. Their internship will provide a wide range of experiences, including software development, simulation, mechanical design, control system design, and instrument building.

Optimisation et modernisation pour l’avancement de la collaboration en santé et services sociaux : intégration de dossiers médicaux électroniques dans l’apprentissage par simulation pour une transition améliorée vers l’expérience clinique – Étude mixte

Le projet proposé vise à intégrer des dossiers médicaux électroniques dans la formation pratique des étudiantes et étudiants en sciences infirmières à l’Université de Moncton. Grâce à l’utilisation de simulations réalistes, ce projet permettra aux étudiants de se familiariser avec des outils numériques semblables à ceux utilisés en milieu hospitalier. L’objectif est d’améliorer leurs compétences numériques et cliniques afin qu’ils soient mieux préparés à la réalité du travail en santé. L’entreprise partenaire, Softway Medical, spécialisée dans les systèmes informatiques de santé en Europe et récemment implantée au Canada, bénéficiera directement de cette collaboration. En participant au projet, Softway Medical aura l’occasion d’évaluer et d’adapter ses solutions technologiques aux besoins spécifiques du système de santé canadien, tout en renforçant ses liens avec les établissements d’enseignement supérieur. Cette coopération facilitera également l’innovation et favorisera l’échange de connaissances entre les secteurs éducatifs et technologiques.

Re:Rite: Make Your Move

Buffalo Buffalo is currently developing Re: Rite – Make Your Move, a competitive 1–4 player PvP evolution brawler where players begin as formless Sparks and battle their way to become towering Titans. Through fast-paced roguelite progression, players scramble for body parts, upgrades, and survival in chaotic arenas. What sets Re: Rite apart is its groundbreaking Make-Your-Move system—an AI-powered tool that empowers players to craft custom combat abilities, resulting in fresh, unpredictable gameplay every match.

To fully realize the potential of this ambitious IP, Re: Rite requires a robust library of high-quality visual assets. From modular character parts and expressive VFX to immersive environments and dynamic UI elements, the game’s evolving combat and personalization systems demand visual clarity, variety, and impact. As we enter full production, Buffalo Buffalo is seeking talented interns in both 2D and 3D art to help shape the project’s visual identity and raise its overall production value.

These interns will play a critical role in defining the aesthetic and usability of Re: Rite, contributing to everything from in-game UI/UX and marketing materials to 3D character modeling, rigging, animation, and real-time effects. In a saturated market of competitive multiplayer games, standing out visually is key—not just for player engagement, but for commercial success. With their support, we aim to deliver a visually striking, high-impact title that demonstrates Buffalo Buffalo’s commitment to innovation and helps solidify our place in Canada’s thriving game development ecosystem.

Optimization of Lentiviral CAR-T transduction using STEMCELL Technologies’ GMP-compatible ImmunoCult™ suite of reagents

STEMCELL offers a suite of GMP reagents suitable for human T-cell culture. The project will test this suite of reagents in a lentiviral transduction workflow and optimize protocols with these reagents in the UBC workflow for the generation of CAR-T Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products. STEMCELL will use the knowledge gained in this project to answer questions from customers working with similar workflows, who wish to use STEMCELL’s ImmunoCult suite.

StomaVR: Educating Pre-Surgery Patients about Stoma Management in Virtual Reality

A stoma is a small, surgically created opening on the abdomen that is used to remove body waste into a collection bag. Stomas are common in procedures related to cancer, injury, and bowel and bladder issues. However, stoma operations introduce challenges. Patients often experience fear and anxiety prior to surgery, and must typically stay in the hospital post-surgery for extended periods to receive training on stoma management. These issues create strain for both patients and healthcare systems. We believe these challenges can be addressed with virtual reality (VR), enabling patients to receive awareness and management training prior to surgery. In this project, we propose developing a state-of-the-art VR prototype that simulates the experience and management of a stoma. We will develop the prototype in collaboration with healthcare professionals, and we will evaluate it with patients who have real-life experience with a stoma.

Development of an interpretable artificial intelligence tool for colic detection in horses

For owners of high-value horses (>$100K), colic is one of the biggest challenges, as it can cause a horse to die within days. SolR Consulting has developed a system that can measure and archive a horse’s hydration history as well as reports of apparent state of health completed by the staff who care for it. This research project aims to use this data to automatically detect colic in a horse. To do this, a new artificial intelligence technology will be used that has the property of being interpretable, meaning that the learnings achieved are in the form of easy-to-understand rules. This will allow a horse owner to understand the reasoning behind the detection of potential colic to help them in their decision. In addition, being an artificial intelligence technology, this detection tool will continually refine itself over time and with the accumulating data. With this project, SolR Consulting will be able to complement their service offering and significantly increase their added value, allowing them to attract many more clients.

Sustainability and efficiency in the coffee production chain: Implementing the Lean-Green Model with small producers

This project brings together researchers from Bishop’s University (Canada) and the Federal University of Lavras (Brazil) to help small-scale coffee farmers in Brazil improve their production practices using a sustainable method called the Lean-Green Production Model. This model combines efficient manufacturing techniques with environmentally friendly strategies to reduce waste and improve productivity. By working directly with local coffee producers, the project aims to create practical solutions that support both economic and environmental goals. The collaboration will benefit both institutions by enhancing research opportunities, supporting student learning, and strengthening international partnerships in sustainable agriculture and food systems innovation.

Palmitoylethanolamide as an intervention for preventing schizophrenia in a maternal immune activation rodent model

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that often goes undetected in its early stages and can be difficult to manage as symptoms progress. Research has shown that disruptions in the brain’s endocannabinoid system plays a role in the development of this disorder. This project explores the potential of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), a naturally occurring fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties, to restore balance in this system and improve outcomes for schizophrenia. This project uses a mouse model of schizophrenia to assess behavioral, neurochemical, and epigenetic changes associated with PEA administration. In addition to contributing valuable insights to the field of mental health research, this project will support the host institution’s commitment to advancing translational neurobiological research and developing affordable, accessible treatment strategies.

Reactivity of semifusinite in coke making process

In 2024, Canada’s coal production was 42.5 mln metric tonnes, while British Columbia coal production, which produces 95% of metallurgical coal, accounted for 64% of Canada’s production according to Statistics Canada, (2024). The metallurgical coal is an important raw material for transition to the clean and renewable energy, because it is used for steel production which is an essential component of many technologies that are part of this green transition. British Columbia currently has 8 producing metallurgical coal mines which supplies coal to countries all over the world. Metallurgical coal is used to make coke. Coke is used in the blast furnace method of steel making which is still prevalent in the world in 2025. The quality of coke depends on the proportion of reactive and inert petrographic components in the coal. Canadian metallurgical coals make strong coke; however, their coal quality characteristics can predict otherwise. This is because most prediction models are based on studies of Australian and USA coals, which are different in geological age, chemical makeup and physical behavior. This study will explore how different macerals and different types of semifusinite in terms of chemistry will influence thermal coal rheology as well as coke texture microscopy.

Collaborative Priority-Setting to Strengthen Community-Based Mental Health Care in Rural Nova Scotia

As part of the Research Nova Scotia funded “Collaborative Priority-Setting to Strengthen Community-Based Mental Health Care in Rural Nova Scotia” project, the intern (an undergraduate student at St.FX) will partner with the Pictou County Community Health Centre (PCCHC) under the supervision of Dr. Jill Murphy. The goal of this study is to: 1) map the landscape of community-based mental health (CBMH) services offered in rural Nova Scotia (NS), 2) understand strengths and gaps related to availability, accessibility and quality of CBMH services; and 3) identif priorities for strengthening CBMH in rural communities. Using qualitative methods, we will capture the perspectives of people with lived and living experience (PWLLE) and their families/carers, service providers and policy makers. The intern will work with Dr. Murphy (PI) and the PCCHC to conduct Deliberative Dialogue consultations with people with lived experience of mental health conditions and their families/carers living in Pictou County (New Glasgow, Pictou). The intern will support the PCCHC to recruit participants and will participate data collection, analysis and writing up results. This research will lead to important findings relevant to the mental health needs and priorities of patients accessing the PCCHC and will inform service and program planning and delivery.

Développement de terreau fertile à base de résidus de bauxite pour la restauration écologique d’un site de disposition.

Le projet de recherche a pour but ultime la restauration écologique d’un site de résidus miniers en appliquant une approche d’économie circulaire. Pour rendre possible cette restauration, le projet consiste à développer un terreau à base de résidus de bauxite, d’agents neutralisants usés et de matières résiduelles fertilisantes provenant de la région du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. L’agent neutralisant étudié sera un acide usé provenant de l’industrie du niobium et la matière fertilisante sera des boues de papetières provenant de l’industrie des pâtes et papier. Ce terreau devra être propice à la croissance des plantes ainsi que satisfaire les critères géotechniques et environnementaux d’une couche de couverture.

Two-phase flow in industrial distributors – Optimizing bubble size to improve system efficiency

This project will be used to help develop tools for modelling how we control and optimize the size of bubbles and droplets that are needed in some industrial reactors. The current application is related to on-going work that is helping to reduce the energy needed to produce existing carbon-based fuels, but is also applicable to aquaculture, bioreactors, and a variety of emerging technologies that will need to be scaled up to meet the growing demand in Canada. This project is expected to increase collaborations between Dalhousie and the partner institution, Keio University (Japan), providing an opportunity for students at Dalhousie to learn more about some of the different research activities at Keio, while offering training in state of the art modelling techniques and experiment opportunities to participants from Keio that will help set a foundation for additional joint projects and research.