Projets novateurs réalisés

Efficient Region-of-Interest Based Neural Video Compression

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Enantioselective Ni-Catalyzed Arylation of NHP Esters Enabled by Continuous Flow

Chemical reactions are traditionally run as single batches in glasswear such as vials or round-bottom flasks. Conversely, flow chemistry is a discipline in which reactions are run in a continuously flowing stream. Flow chemistry offers several advantages over batch chemistry, such as improved mass transfer, increased efficiency, reduced waste, improved scalability, and greater control over reaction conditions. This project proposes the design of a new flow photoreactor for the asymmetric Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling of redox-active esters with aryl halides. This research will address current limitations in asymmetric cross-coupling by enabling more precise control over the conditions used to activate the redox-active substrates. The project will also utilize the robotic platform “RoboChem” to facilitate self-optimization and intensification of the transformation. This project represents a collaboration between the University of Amsterdam and the University of Toronto. Through this collaboration, the University of Amsterdam will gain expertise in Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling, a powerful synthetic method in organic chemistry. Likewise, the University of Toronto will gain expertise in flow chemistry, a valuable enabling technology for 21st century chemists. Collectively, this study will leverage state-of-the-art technology to develop a synthetic method that forms pharmaceutically-relevant molecules with high selectivity.

Dissecting the impact of early life adversity on psychiatric disorders in the human brain at cell-specific levels

This project aims to investigate the impact of early life adversity on psychiatric disorders in the human brain using single-cell RNA sequencing. I will be traveling to the lab of Dr. Elisabeth Binder at the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry in Germany. Dr. Binder is a leading researcher in the field of translational psychiatry, with immense expertise in studying early life adversity and mental illness using molecular approaches. This work will advance our understanding of how early life adversity contributes to long-lasting changes in the brain and psychiatric disorders at cell-specific levels. Overall, this research could provide novel insights into the complex interactions of genetics and environmental factors, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders. Through this research activity, I will gain strong expertise and knowledge in early life adversity research and bioinformatic analysis. Additionally, I will have the opportunity to bring these advanced skills back to my lab at McGill University, where I will share knowledge and mentor students.

Understanding Suicidality Risk Among Undergraduate Students: A Quantitative Overview

The presenting research internship aims to analyze the results of a campus-wide survey of at-risk undergraduate students at the University of Wollongong in Australia on their thoughts and ideas regarding suicide. The research interns — Maxime Gilbert and Zachary Fry — will each contribute to this research by analyzing the findings and subsequently formulating a publishable research manuscript based on these findings. In doing so, we hope these findings will shed light on the effects of psychological distress and suicidality of university students, while also informing clinicians and researchers on how to prevent and alleviate these sources of distress in the future. At the end of the research internship, the findings of this research will also be shared with the home institution — Bishop’s University — for the purposes of sharing knowledge that can better serve the mental health of its predominantly undergraduate population.

L2M- Remediwater™ (Sustainable biopolymer nanocomposites for measurement and removal of pharmaceutical contaminants in wastewater)

My project involves the development of sustainable and economical nanocomposite 3D material. The project aims to address the issue of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) contamination of wastewater. The presence of pharmaceuticals and PPCPs in aquatic environments has become a pressing global issue, endangering marine life and human health. PPCPs encompass a broad range of contaminants, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, cosmetics, fragrances, and hygiene products. Conventional wastewater treatment plants are not designed to monitor nor remove these contaminants, elevating the risk of their presence in drinking water. Consequently, the effective monitoring and removal of PPCPs from wastewater is paramount, and that is where this project comes in.
The developed nanocomposite beads offer simultaneous removal and sensitive detection of pharmaceutical contaminants in wastewater. This solution outperforms other current available technologies and doesn’t require substantial amounts of energy. The major challenges to commercialization of this project, are validating the market demand, developing a business plan for the project, and securing a patent.
The goals are to validate the market demand via conducting 100 interviews with customers, key opinion leaders and stakeholders, and to assess the data from these interviews to determine the appropriate path forward.

Achieving Dexterous Manipulation with Sensor Fusion and ML Control Policies

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Does forest age affect wildlife habitat use in coastal temperate rainforests?

Forestry directly modifies wildlife habitat, but how can informed, science-based management decisions be made without an adequate understanding of how different species will be affected? In the Central Coast of British Columbia, decades of industrial forestry have converted many stands of old-growth forest to second growth, creating networks of roads and cut blocks of varied ages. Despite such widespread habitat modification, the impacts of forestry to wildlife of ecological and cultural importance on the Central Coast of British Columbia, and throughout Canada’s temperate rainforests, are not yet well known. One priority of land managers is to identify how habitat quality might differ for wildlife species important to them across forests of different age categories, ranging from newly harvested to millennial-old stands. Using data from wildlife cameras, we will determine how forest age structures might affect how wildlife has responded to habitat change, adding new evidence to support science-based resource management.

Science museums, controversies and public engagement: Brazilian and Canadian experiences

Through this research project I would like to explore the role of science museums in fostering engagement with science and technology, particularly, when controversial issues are at play (e.g. reproductive technologies, renewable energies, genetically modified food). It will focus on the ways in which museums exhibits communicate with visitors and, also, on the ways visitors create meanings during their visit. I am planning to study and to compare two controversial science exhibits, one in Canada and one in Brazil. I will collect data through interviews with museum staff and visitors, observation of visitors and documents related to the exhibit. Qualitative analysis will allowed me to build portraits of each case and, also, to compare them and to look for more generalizable insights. Regarding the outcomes, this project can help science museums to develop and enact educational and communication actions that will allow visitors to interact meaningfully with exhibits and with controversial scientific issues that can affect their lives and futures. It will be contributing to a significant aspect of scientific literacy.

Saskatchewan Roughriders Fan Community and Newcomers

This research seeks to explore the ways fans use shared ritual performances to accumulate and mobilize symbolic capital in ways that allow them to distinguish their own loyalty from those of other fans. The implications of these rituals on growing a fan base by adding new members from different backgrounds (specifically newcomers to Canada) will also be explore. This study aims to explore the novel context of Saskatchewan Roughrider fans. An extended case study will be conducted to examine fans who engage in collective rituals to gain symbolic capital within the fan community. Observational field studies and in-depth interviews will be used to collect data. The study has practical implications for the partner organization, and theoretical implications for consumer behaviour scholarship in the areas of consumer rituals, consumer culture theory, and sports marketing.

Real-time visual feedback in swimming – FORM Swim Goggles (2)

The partner sells smart swim goggles. The goggles measure several variables such as stroke, swim speed, and heart rate, and project the information into the goggle lens to provide real-time feedback to the swimmer. The challenge the partner faces is to scientifically validate the instrumentation and application of the goggles to assisting swimmers in optimizing their training. The results of this project will aim to add credibility to the activity metrics recorded and displayed in the FORM goggles. This project will also showcase the technological advancements made in swimming technology via the FORM goggles and propose a more efficient way of swim training. Additionally, this project will reveal areas of refinement to the FORM goggles especially in consideration of recreational swimmers. The results of this project will provide a tangible assessment of the FORM goggles capabilities and usability. This will be important information for investors and consumers and can result in increased funds to the company and increased Form Athletica Inc. memberships sold. There are numerous activity trackers used in swimming today, but few real-time trackers such as the FORM goggles. This project can thus provide a baseline to compare FORM goggles against alternative activity trackers for swimming.

Hydrogen Storage: Thermodynamics, Safety Measures, and Operations in Eastern Canada’s Salt Caverns

Triple Point Resources is in the feasibility stage of developing salt caverns in the Fischells salt dome for green energy hydrogen and compressed air energy storage. Ambient geothermal temperatures affects project economics as it dictates the maximum density or gas capacity for gas injection and extraction therefore being a link to the operational business case. The objective of this proposal is to conduct a reservoir study to predict temperature and pressure variations for hydrogen and compressed air storage at the Fischells Salt Dome.

The work will include site characterization through laboratory measurements of the rock’s thermal properties, followed by the development of a conceptual model for the Fischells salt caverns. Additionally, a thermo-physical model previously published by the intern will be utilized to simulate operational cycles to predict temperature and pressure variations and optimize business cases focusing on gas density and flow rates while adhering to rigorous operational and safety constraints.

Re-thinking food security and accessibility with and for 2SLGBTQI+ communities across Canada – a co-design approach to a customizable model of service

Food insecurity disproportionally affect people of the 2S/LGBTQI+ communities. Food insecurity is intersectional: people who belong to one or more marginalized groups, like 2S/LGBTQI+ are at greater risk of experiencing food insecurity. This project’s objectives are to more effectively understand and address the food security and accessibility needs of and with 2S/LGBTQI+ communities, across Canada by co-designing an innovative, customizable food security and accessibility service model with and for 2S/LGBTQI+ communities. This project involves various community partners and people from the 2SLGBTQI+ communities. They will work together to co-design a a customizable food security service model that could then be adapted and use in various settings across Canada.