Microplastics are emerging anthropogenic particulate pollutants that pose risks to both societal and environmental health. As such, there is a need to characterize the distribution of microplastics both within the environment and at potential points of release. Current analytical techniques – primarily thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy – used to characterize microplastics offer […]

Infection by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) results in COVID-19, a highly heterogeneous disease ranging from being asymptomatic and mild to severe and causing death. Early screening and effective intervention for COVID-19 patients who will develop severe disease are essential to reduce the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients. Various groups have published prognostic markers […]

As developed nations such Canada and Japan realize their commitments of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, hydrogen-based fuels such as ammonia will become more important. More effective technologies for “green” ammonia will need to be developed to ensure the sustainable supply of zero-carbon fuels for shipping and electricity generation. I propose to develop effective electrode […]

The recent opening of the Chinese Canadian Museum’s inaugural exhibition, “A Seat at the Table: Chinese Immigration and British Columbia,” in Vancouver features the history – and present – of Chinese Canadians’ struggle and agency for acceptance and belonging. The SAT exhibit, including its interactive features, provides a valuable experiential learning opportunity for K-12 students […]

The goal of the proposed project is to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for reasons unrelated to COVID-19 (e.g., person injured in a car accident). We hypothesize that, due to high occupancy caused by COVID-19 and the resulting strain in health care delivery, patients […]

This project work with stakeholders, residents, family members, and care staff, in two long-term care homes to analyze the use of virtual reality to improve mood, support quality of life and increase social engagement in residents with and without dementia. Rendever is a virtual reality system that has been designed for these purposes and is […]

Research continues to suggest that there is a strong association between literacy and health. Health literacy requires writing and reading skills, as well as general health knowledge. Unfortunately, printed patient education materials are often written at higher reading levels with technical and/or dense texts that are not easily understood by people with low literacy levels. […]

In 2012, wind energy in Canada grew by nearly 20% and wind is expected to supply 20% of Canada’s electricity by 2025. Accurate measurement of the wind resource is essential for future wind energy development but current wind resource assessment practices do not adequately measure atmospheric turbulence or stability. These variables affect average windn speeds, […]

The project aims to compare and analyse the response of BC and Alberta during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research is scheduled to be conducted into 5 main areas: the situation of the healthcare system before the pandemic, the policies set in place during the pandemic, the outcomes of such policies and interventions, the unintended consequences […]

Canada’s unconventional gas resources are an emerging low-cost, clean burning energy source, the export of which presents both a major economic opportunity for Canada. To unlock this gas from the low permeability rocks it is found in, hydraulic fracturing is used. This process involves pumping fluids under high pressure into the reservoir rock to generate […]

The mineral mining industry in Canada is rapidly shifting toward more sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impacts of extraction, wastewater, and emissions. Although often overlooked, microorganisms, or bacteria, living in the soils and water of mine sites and mining waste materials, collectively known as the ““mining microbiome”, exert strong influence on all stages of […]

Surfactants (including emulsifiers) are a group of molecules that are critical for the function of many industrial processes and commercial products. Conventional surfactants are produced from non-renewable sources (e.g., petroleum products), can persist in the environment for long periods of time, and can be toxic to various plants and animals. “Biosurfactants” are surfactants that are […]