The proposed research project aims to develop a multi-modal stethoscope, containing superior digitized heart and lung sounds, telemedicine capabilities and assistive diagnostics. This is achieved by leveraging new advancements in piezo, microphone, wireless and machine learning technologies. The project will investigate these technologies and integrate them into custom made electronics and mechanical designs to achieve […]

Linking proximate mechanisms of immune responses to host health and parasite burden is key to predicting individual infection outcome. However, existing mathematical models fall short as they leave out mechanistic details of host responses. My work bridges the gap between mechanistic immunology and infection ecology by incorporating a process-based description of host responses into a […]

This study aims to evaluate the instructor manuals of the Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance’s Fearless Physical Activity event. The hosts are provided with these manuals prior to each event session. These instructors will be provided with an evaluation checklist, and will be interviewed, post-event, to assess the instructor resources. The objective is to determine whether […]

Improvements in survival rates of cancer diagnosed between the ages of 13 and 29 have led to a growing number of survivors of teenage and young adult (TYA) cancer living with quality of life challenges well into adulthood. TYAs are at an increased risk for physical and mental heath challenges following diagnosis and treatment, and […]

Evaluating the medicinal use of cannabinoids represents an area of massive untapped potential, especially considering its upcoming legalization in Canada. Currently, a significant proportion of medical cannabis research is based on self-reported use and outcomes, rather than carefully-designed research studies. Here, we aim to better understand the impact of cannabis administration in adults with obesity […]

Memristor, as the name suggests is a contraction of “memory resistor”, a novel device that was proposed almost fifty years but only realized recently for the first time. Memristor, the missing link in the manifold of circuit elements, is expected to usher a wave of innovative integrations in electronics and yield novel functionalities. Memristors would […]

This project involves an ethnographic investigation of the ongoing confrontations at the Western Wall in Jerusalem regarding Jewish women’s practices of worship. Through fieldwork and theoretical study, the aim is to examine contrasting spiritual practices and the processes by which religious and legal change is enacted. I hypothesize that prayer, for those engaged in this […]

Inhalation exposure to mercury continues to be a concern in a number of workplaces. Examples are facilities handling mercury-containing electronic waste or so-called “gold-shops” processing the amalgams from artisanal and small-scale gold mining operations. We are exploring the feasibility of using a passive air sampler recently developed for recording long term average mercury concentrations in […]

Prolonged patient waiting times for an inpatient bed in the Emergency Department (ED) is considered a global crisis and most cited reason for the ED crowding. Inability to move admitted patients from the ED to an inpatient bed due to capacity shortage and inefficiencies in patient-flow affects patient care and patient experiences. Housekeeping is crucial […]

The intention of this project is inquiry into the role of force signaling in skeletal muscle repair. Before muscle damage, muscle stems cells that are yet to be incorporated in the muscle fibers are relatively inactive, but when injury occurs they can multiply and are recruited to the site of damage. Many aspects of the […]

Xylose is one of the most abundant sugars in nature and makes up a significant portion of lignocellulose. In order to profitably use lignocellulosic biomass for sustainably producing ethanol and other chemicals, it is important that all of its sugars be efficiently co-fermented. The current organism of choice for such fermentations, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker’s yeast), […]

Amacathera Inc. has developed a novel, injectable, hydrogel platform technology that extends the release of drugs over time in the body. The company’s lead program is targeted at pain relief following surgery. They have combined their hydrogel with an anesthetic in order to provide pain relief for up to 72 hours. This eliminates the need […]