Development of DNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine platforms

This proposal seeks to identify the most promising lead candidate for a COVID-19 vaccine that could be rapidly and inexpensively scaled-up to meet Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine needs. In collaboration with a Canadian biotech company, Entos Pharmaceuticals, we will determine the safety and efficacy of several vaccine candidates to identify the most promising candidate to move […]

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Real-time Optimization of Freshwater usage in Aquatic Facilities based on Occupancy and Water Quality data Using Machine Learning Methods.

In this research, occupancy monitoring data, temperature and humidity, and water quality parameters data collected through image processing and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors from multiple swimming pools are going to be processed and analyzed to identify the meaningful relations between these parameters and freshwater usage. The aim is to identify correlations between parameters and […]

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Tracking community movements through real-time visualization and predictive analytics to manage the spread of COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic complete eradication will at least take 2-3 years, putting the country under complete lockdown is an impractical solution. Hence, Computing and Data Analytics research group at Saint Mary’s University (SMU-CDA) proposes a collaboration with Agyle Intelligence to develop a complete framework using Data Analytics and Machine Learning that can help citizen, […]

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Supporting the mental health of Canadians in times of pandemic: Exploring the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on wellbeing and validating context-appropriate e-mental health interventions

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in multiple spheres of life and increased psychological distress, depression, and anxiety in many Canadians. With practices of social distancing implemented by the governments combined with an increased demand for psychological support, mental health agencies are forced to be creative and develop e-mental health interventions and tools. The current […]

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Development of a robust armoured RNA standard for the rapid clinical diagnosis of COVID-19

COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel SARS corona virus, has been a global threat for months now. The pandemic has crippled global healthcare sectors and economies. Early, rapid, and accurate detection of the contagion is critical for isolating infected patients to prevent further community spread. Currently, most communities in Canada suffer from insufficient […]

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AI-enhanced lung ultrasound to detect lung involvement in COVID-19

The COVID-19 virus causing the current pandemic leads to severe illness and death when it involves the lungs. This occurs in a way that conventional X-Rays often cannot show. Experience in other countries and with a similar condition known as ARDS suggests that lung ultrasound can accurately detect COVID-19 lung involvement. Lung ultrasound is harmless […]

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Standardization and validation of a point-of-care RT-qPCR test in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic currently affecting 215 countries and territories. With the number of cases increasing exponentially in many nations, molecular diagnostics have become a critical component for informing decisions related to health. However, the availability of molecular diagnostics has suffered a bottleneck. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase […]

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Detection of PPE in healthcare settings using machine learning

We propose utilizing real-time image detection of humans (visitors and healthcare workers) using personal protective equipment (I.e. masks, gloves, and gowns) in healthcare settings. This system would ensure proper compliance of PPE use to reduce the transmission COVID and other healthcare based infections, thereby saving lives, reducing hospital stays and costs. This builds off literature […]

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COVID19 and Disclosure of Risk in Energy Exposed Sectors

COVID19 has accelerated shifts in the global energy market such that energy companies and banks may be impacted in the medium to long term. At the same time, the decarbonization of the world’s highest carbon sectors present opportunities for alternative energy carriers. For investors and policy makers it is important to understand the scope and […]

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Up-scalable production of high efficiency perylene diimide (PDI)-based organic light emitting devices using slot die coating methods

With respect to large-area display applications, it is desirable to have not only the active layers but also the electrodes in the OLEDs that can be formed by solution fabrication process. To address the manufacturing challenges of high-performance OLEDs, several scalable techniques such as doctor blading, ink-jet printing, and ultrasonic spray coating have been developed […]

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Benefits and Challenges of using a Digital Health Platform for Remote Delivery of Allied Health Provider Services

The research project aims to discover the experience of two user groups interacting with a prototype developed by HealthQb. The user groups are patients suffering from anxiety, chronic pain and/or infertility, and their allied health practitioners, such as chiropractors, kinesiologists, naturopaths, osteopaths and physiotherapists. The patients will wear a wearable device that collects biometric data […]

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Targeted genetic diagnosis of microbiologically influenced corrosion

Infrastructure corrosion results in considerable annual loss to the oil and gas industry. Corrosion can occur by numerous means; a lesser-well understood cause is due to microbes living and thriving within these systems. This phenomenon is referred to as microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). In recent years, it’s been subject to an increasing amount of study […]

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