Wildlife Passages in an Urban Environment

As the largest urban park in Canada, with more than 160 kilometres of maintained pathways and 20 major parks, the River Valley is a natural asset for the City of Edmonton and part of a broader ecological network that connects through the tablelands and into the region. Edmonton has a long history of protecting the […]

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Ecological Restoration: A scan for determining the true costs

In order to meet our City Plan and Climate Resilient Edmonton goals of restoring ecological networks, and natural and modified ecosystems, we need to understand the true cost of restoration. The cost of ecological restoration can encompass multiple factors adding complexity to an already complex task. This project will aim to gather information from other […]

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Effect of altitude on cardiovascular responses to voluntary apnea in Nepali Sherpa

Our lab has demonstrated that voluntary apneas (i.e., breath-holds) at high altitude cause decreases in heart rate in lowlander populations. Apneas at altitude also cause cardiac arrhythmias in a majority of lowlanders. Unlike lowlanders, native highlanders (e.g., Nepali Sherpa) do not get the same decreased heart rate and cardiac arrhythmias during voluntary apneas at high […]

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Effects of cement kiln dust on soil nitrogen and metal bioavailability

Rapid urbanization has resulted in increased cement production and use, generating waste like cement kiln dust (CKD) and greenhouse gases. CKD, often landfilled, is now used as a soil amendment for its alkaline properties to counter soil acidification. When CKD is applied to the soil, it alters soil pH, affecting nutrient availability (e.g., nitrogen (N), […]

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Characterization of the stability of a novel antifungal peptide

Antimicrobial resistant infections are a burgeoning threat to humankind. Unfortunately, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) programs have traditionally focused on bacteria and excluded fungi, which are now considered critical priority pathogens. Candida albicans, a commensal in many sites in the human body, can become pathogenic in immunocompromised patients. It is resistant to almost all classes of clinically-available […]

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LLM-based social media for pet owners

This project aims to develop a large language model (LLM)-powered social networking platform specifically designed for pet owners and their pets. The goal of this project is to develop a large-scale, AI-powered social networking platform for pets, bringing together pet owners, pets, and charitable organizations. Pet companionship is a growing aspect of Canadian life, especially […]

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On-demand nanozyme system for rapid eradication of multidrug-resistant biofilms

Chronic wounds pose a significant threat to public health. The economic burden of wounds is projected to increase to $18.7 billion by 2027, with an annual growth rate of 6.6% from 2020 to 2027. By providing a fertile ground for the growth of infectious microorganisms, especially in immunocompromised patients, wounds lead to extended hospitalization and […]

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Design and Seismic Performance of Steel CBFs: Advancing Standards through Canadian and European Code Comparison

This research project aims to investigate the seismic behaviour of steel concentrically braced frames (CBFs), a widely used seismic-resistant system in Canada and Europe. Previous experimental and numerical studies have identified several shortcomings regarding the seismic performance of steel CBFs. In response, this project seeks to propose new design guidelines within the framework of the […]

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Nature-derived solutions: Development of a West African herb-derived compound for tackling infections

More than 25 million Africans and 800,000 Canadians suffer from chronic wounds. Wound infections are a leading cause of hospitalization and disability in immunocompromised people and vulnerable populations. This is compounded by the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, leading to antimicrobial resistance and failure of treatments. Therefore, antibiotic alternatives are needed. Inspired by traditional wisdom, phytotherapy […]

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