Projets novateurs réalisés

Epigenetic Control of 3D Chromatin Architecture During Embryonic Development

This project explores how chemical modifications to DNA and histone proteins influence the 3D structure of the genome during early embryonic development. Working at RIKEN in Japan, Iqra Wardak will learn molecular biology and computational genomics techniques to study how epigenetic marks regulate gene activity and cell identity. The project combines experimental training with analysis of next-generation sequencing data to understand how chromatin organization shapes developmental processes.

Modélisation et intégration numérique d’un tube vortex dans un système HVAC – Applications énergétiques

Ce projet de recherche vise à rendre les systèmes de chauffage, ventilation et climatisation (HVAC) plus économes en énergie en intégrant un dispositif innovant appelé tube vortex. Ce dispositif peut produire simultanément de l’air chaud et de l’air froid à partir d’un fluide comprimé, sans utiliser de pièces mécaniques mobiles. Le stagiaire étudiera, à l’aide de simulations numériques avancées, comment intégrer efficacement ce tube vortex dans un système HVAC afin de réduire la charge du compresseur, diminuer la consommation d’électricité et améliorer la performance globale du système. L’objectif est de valoriser une partie de l’énergie déjà disponible dans le circuit, plutôt que de la perdre, ce qui permettrait de réduire les coûts d’exploitation et les émissions de gaz à effet de serre. À terme, ce projet pourrait contribuer au développement de systèmes de climatisation et de chauffage plus durables, plus fiables et mieux adaptés aux exigences énergétiques actuelles.

AI-Powered Technical Documentation Workflow – Atlas Automation

This project addresses Canada’s construction skilled trades labour shortage by developing AI-powered documentation automation that enables existing workers to accomplish more without increasing headcount, directly supporting Canada’s productivity agenda. It also advances digital transformation in the trades sector by applying AI technologies to building automation—an industry critical to Canada’s energy efficiency and climate goals. By streamlining documentation processes that support building automation installations, the project accelerates deployment of energy-efficient building systems, with workflows that could serve as a model for similar automation initiatives across Canada’s construction and engineering sectors.

Using Extended Reality for a Digital Twin of a Hydrogen Pipeline Test Facility

This project aims to develop an immersive digital twin system to enhance the safety and monitoring of hydrogen pipeline infrastructure. By integrating real-time sensor data with virtual and mixed reality (XR) interfaces, the research provides operators with intuitive spatial visualizations for proactive risk assessment and structural health monitoring. The collaboration benefits the University of Calgary by advancing its immersive analytics research and the Federal University of São Paulo by providing a high-stakes industrial application to validate advanced software engineering and human-centered design models. Ultimately, this research contributes to a safer transition to clean energy through cutting-edge interactive technology.

Vers une agriculture durable territorialisée : diagnostics régionaux des bonnes pratiques pour les grandes cultures

Terre à table / Foodbridge travaille au développement de filières durables afin d’insuffler la transformation des systèmes alimentaires, de la production jusqu’à la consommation, en s’appuyant sur un maillage d’acteurs engagés à résoudre les défis socio-environnementaux liés à l’alimentation. Ce projet de stage vise à soutenir les actions de l’organisme en réalisant une analyse territoriale et cartographique de certaines filières agricoles stratégiques selon les régions, notamment l’orge brassicole ainsi que les grandes cultures (maïs et soja), afin d’orienter les prochaines actions de Terre à table. En propulsant les actions de cet organisme vers les besoins prioritaires et en diffusant les bonnes pratiques déjà expérimentées, ce projet contribuera directement à la transition vers une agriculture plus durable au Québec et en Ontario, avec des retombées positives à l’échelle nationale.

Biodiversity Mapping Project: Collecting field data to improve land cover classification.

The Biodiversity Mapping Project (BMaP) aims to generate refined mapping tools to address key data gaps and improve how lands and habitats are planned for, managed, and protected in the eastern Georgian Bay region. Indigenous communities, municipalities, conservation organizations, and land managers currently rely on land-cover and habitat maps that are outdated or too general to accurately reflect conditions on the ground, especially for Species at Risk. Through this project, an intern will work closely with the Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere (GBB) and regional partners to collect high-quality, field-based habitat data that confirms where important habitats occur, with a focus on reptile nesting and overwintering areas. This information will be used to create updated detailed, high-resolution habitat maps that better reflect real conditions across both public and private lands. The project will benefit the partner organization by providing reliable, field-verified, standardized data to support conservation, land-use management decisions, and stewardship efforts, while also strengthening collaboration among local organizations. At the same time, the intern will gain hands-on experience in applied environmental research and conservation mapping with real-world impacts to contribute to the long-term protection and management of sensitive habitats.

2026 Circle CVI – RA/QMS internship

As a medical device manufacturer, Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc. (Circle) operates within a regulated industry and must maintain a robust Quality Management System (QMS) to support global market access and lifecycle compliance. As the organization expands and maintains its regulatory footprint across multiple jurisdictions, the volume and complexity of jurisdiction-specific regulatory compliance requires in-depth intelligence, such as submission pathways, classification rules, reporting timelines, and any unique regulations. With regulatory frameworks evolving globally, maintaining a structured, current, and accessible regulatory intelligence index has become an increasingly strategic priority for the RA/QMS team.

The improvement priority addressed by this project is the gathering, consolidation, and enhancement of Circle’s regulatory intelligence framework to better support global expansion, compliance activities, and cross-functional decision-making. This project focuses on foundational infrastructure improvements that strengthen long-term efficiency, consistency, and knowledge management. In addition, this project requires applied expertise in regulatory affairs, quality systems, and an understanding of medical device regulations on the global stage, combined with strong research and analytical skills to interpret these regulations and translate them into structured outputs.

Development and Validation of Asset-Level Climate Risk and Financial Impact Modeling Frameworks

This project focuses on the development and validation of asset-level climate risk modeling frameworks for infrastructure and institutional portfolios. As climate-related hazards intensify, asset owners and financial institutions require forward-looking, decision-grade analytics that quantify physical risk under multiple climate scenarios. The project applies a structured hazard – exposure – vulnerability – loss framework, integrating geospatial analysis, scenario-based climate projections, and engineering-informed damage functions to generate asset-level risk metrics and financial impact estimates. The research will support the expansion and methodological validation of RESILIOCS’ modeling engine through improved spatial data harmonization, probabilistic hazard analysis, expected annual loss (EAL) estimation, and adaptation return-on-investment (ROI) calculations. Emphasis will be placed on analytical reproducibility, sensitivity testing, uncertainty documentation, and workflow formalization to ensure defensibility for institutional use. The outcome will be a strengthened and validated climate risk modeling framework capable of supporting infrastructure resilience planning, portfolio risk assessment, and capital allocation decisions. This applied research contributes to advancing quantitative climate risk analytics while bridging engineering-grade modeling with financial decision-support applications.

Spatial analysis of women’s football

This project aims to study how football players move and interact on the field by using advanced data analysis. We will combine local GPS data from Uruguayan women’s football with international event data (such as World Cups) to better understand team tactics, physical performance, and coordination between players. By applying tools from statistics and data science, such as spatial models and visualizations, we seek to identify patterns of play, styles of organization, and differences between local and international football.
The project will strengthen collaboration between the University of Alberta and Uruguayan research institutions, providing new knowledge and practical tools for coaches, analysts, and researchers, and supporting the development and professionalization of women’s football. The project also seeks to contribute to the development of research using quantitative methods in sports, and particularly in soccer.

MobilitiQ: Improving Access, Efficiency, and Sustainability of Shared Mobility and Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT).

MobilitiQ is a Canadian mobility-technology partner developing an AI-enabled, on-demand shared mobility platform that helps public-sector and private operators design, operate, and continuously improve flexible-route/flexible-schedule services. The organization’s core activities include: (i) integrating operational data sources (e.g., AVL/dispatch logs, booking/ride requests, service policies); (ii) building analytics to understand spatio-temporal demand patterns, service reliability, and operational efficiency; and (iii) translating these insights into actionable service design and operational decision-support (routing, stop patterns, fleet sizing, zone definitions, and performance KPI dashboards).

Trichomonas vaginalis and its association with cervical cancer: The price of neglect in women’s health

This project aims to investigate whether the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis, the etiological agent responsible for the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection worldwide, trichomoniasis, is able to impact the production of small vesicles by cervical cells. In addition, this project also proposes to investigate whether these small vesicles could result in the transformation of fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts. The results of this collaboration aim to provide indicators for the improvement of public health through the recognition of T. vaginalis as an accelerator of cervical cancer, as well as to establish pioneering findings for both institutions, since there are no reports in the literature regarding exosome production in the presence of T. vaginalis.

Computer-assisted design and development of 3D-printed limb prosthetics

This project focuses on developing a low-cost limb prosthesis tailored to resource-constrained and conflict-affected settings. It leverages open-source designs and additive manufacturing to provide customizable, locally fabricated solutions for individuals with limited access to conventional care. The proposed devices will incorporate 3D-printed components within a parametric design workflow that enables rapid patient-specific customization and scalable production using accessible materials and standard printing technologies. The prostheses are designed for durability, ease of maintenance, and reduced lifecycle cost. Iterative testing and clinician feedback will inform ongoing refinement. Overall, the initiative aims to advance equitable access to limb rehabilitation through sustainable, digitally enabled prosthetic innovation.