Changes in sea-level are attributable mainly to crustal deformation, changes in global ocean volumes (eustasy) and the response of the Earth’s crust to glaciation (isostasy). On the British Columbia coast, sea-level history is complex owing to regional differences in these factors. A geographic data gap exists in our understanding of Holocene (past 10,000 years) sea-level […]

Restoring degraded land for food production is a major global challenge. The turbulent waves of extreme weather experienced across western North America over the past year continue to shake agricultural producers – farmers must contend with both extreme rainfall and drought while still maintaining financially and ecologically viable systems. This research project will determine the […]

This research will explore the connections between nature and people in Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). These values will be articulated by identifying the ecosystem services (i.e. the goods and services provided to people by nature) and determining which of these hold significant cultural values. These values will be compared using a variety of […]

This proposed research will evaluate changes to ecosystem composition and configuration in the subalpine and alpine zones from the recent unprecedented outbreak of MPB in Jasper National Park (JNP), Alberta. New extended time-series data and innovative spatial assessments will be used to consider the impact of novel disturbances on species-at-risk, including whitebark pine, limber pine, […]

The Social Innovation Academy will be working with a network of Mitacs interns to support the financial analysis needs of social purpose organizations across Canada. These needs may include (but are not limited to): research of potential sectors; impact measurement; and financial modelling. In addition, interns will provide marketing, research, and financial analysis for social […]

Seaweeds naturally produce polymers that hold great potential as a building block for bioplastics, which has been piloted globally but still nascent in Canada. This project establishes a partnership between Bioform Solutions Inc. and the University of Victoria Green Safe Water Lab, to develop a seeds-to-solution protocol for converting kelp into higher value bioplastics. The […]

To contribute to society’s decarbonization goals, the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry must rapidly transition to low-carbon buildings. Low carbon construction materials and other building technologies are contributing to this decarbonization, but the rate of change for this transition remains low. A range of technical issues must be addressed to transition to low-carbon buildings, […]

The goal of the study is to investigate the health and ecology of juvenile Chinook Salmon during the winter, a season with supposedly very low levels of survival. We fish throughout the winter on an on-call basis, and sample and release most fish brought on board; a small portion of juvenile Chinook Salmon are retained […]

The design of usable public health information systems is critical in areas such as healthcare. In this project an analysis of the usability of a pan-Canadian public health information system will be conducted. The approach will involve application of usability engineering methods to identify issues and areas where the system’s user interface could be modified […]

Seleste is developing an app to integrate with our smart glasses hardware. For this project we need interns to help us develop this app which includes two major components. First is the React Native app where interns will develop features like user authentication and improving our database structure. There will also be a big focus […]

A helical pile is a screw steel pile comprising a small diameter hollow shaft welded with one or multiple helices. It has been widely used to retrofit structures or provide foundation support for infrastructure. The current research and design practice of helical piles have heavily focused on the “capacity”. In contrast, little attention has been […]

This study will establish the utilization rates of musculoskeletal services, for example, low-back pain, across healthcare systems in BC. To capture the utilization rates of musculoskeletal services, we can detect and establish the current frequency of these services related to the most recent healthcare expenditures. Knowing the utilization and expenditures would allow BC Chiropractor Association […]