Influenza is a viral pathogen responsible for annually claiming thousands of lives (~650 000 per year) and posing a significant threat to all human life. In Canada, Influenza pandemics lead to direct economic losses including medical costs (estimated mean cost per treatment: $14,612.00), and indirect losses such as substantial workplace absence (Avg 10.8 days). Additionally, […]

This project seeks to demonstrate the impact of health and life sciences research in the Province of British Columbia. Researchers from Simon Fraser University and University of British Columbia – Okanagan are working closed with the Genome BC and Michael Smith’s Foundation to develop new methodology to assess the value of health and life sciences […]

The availability of safe drinking water has emerged as one of the most serious problems facing the global economy in the twenty-first century. Removing heavy metals from drinking water, industrial waste and soil are important environmental engineering tasks to reduce pollution and water scarcity around the world. Biomimetic designs help engineers to produce new technologies […]

Over 60% of overweight or obese individuals attempt weight loss diets each year. Although many different dietary approaches can lead to weight loss, increasing evidence suggests that a very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet may have superior metabolic and weight loss effects. However, any diet is only as effective as adherence to it and adherence requires effective […]

When a transmission cable joint in an underground vault undergoes an electrical failure this event can result in a high energy event and trigger a shock wave. Rapid and extreme pressure build up inside a manhole can cause a 200kg vault cover launching out as a dangerous projectile, which is referred as manhole incidents. The […]

Woven fabric-reinforced polymers (WFRP) are composite materials consisting of interwoven fibers dispersed in a continuous polymeric matrix phase. Lightweight and yet very strong mechanical characteristics of WFRPs are, however, often disadvantaged by poor quality due to manufacturing defects. The proposed project aims to exploit the simulation tools developed at University of Bristol to simulate the […]

There are thousands of mobile apps available for download that are geared towards health and fitness, yet limited research evaluating the real-world effectiveness of such apps exists. The MOVR app is designed specifically to enhance one’s functional abilities, fitness, and functional well-being through personalized exercise prescriptions based on individual needs. While MOVR has had anecdotal […]

Urban stormwater infrastructures are the first line of defense from pluvial flooding and play a key role in protecting the environment. These systems are costly to construct and would be even more expensive to replace. Therefore, high priority must be given to maintaining the physical integrity of the assets and preserve the hydraulic capacity of […]

Mara Lake in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada, experienced a large algal bloom in 2010. Such algal blooms can be harmful to the health of humans and livestock, and can damage the ecological, recreational, and resource values of the lake. The algal bloom was associated with increased nutrient inputs from human land uses […]

Battery technologies are urgently needed for emerging high-tech applications, such as medical implants, wireless sensors, wireless devices. These new devices have very limited space and require high reliability, and therefore demand the batteries could provide high energy per volume and high safety. Current Li-ion batteries cannot meet this demand due to its relatively low energy […]

Wind power is becoming an important source of clean electricity. However, wind turbines operating at low wind conditions suffer from reduced efficiency and reduced electricity generation. Leading-edge droops are small extensions added to the front of the blade that can potentially improve the turbine efficiency under low wind speeds. The Mitacs project will investigate how […]

Despite advances in biotechnology and organic synthesis, plants remain the main source of many of high-value bioactive compounds used in the medical, fragrance and food industries. Increasing demand for bioactive plants (e.g., cannabis and extracts thereof) require robust authentication approaches to verify feedstock, identify product adulteration and ensure product safety for consumers. This research aims […]