Hyperpolarized 129Xe Cerebral Perfusion MRI Imaging Development

Imaging of cerebral perfusion (the delivery of blood to a capillary bed in the brain tissue) is significant for diagnosing a variety of diseases. There are multiple challenges associated with perfusion imaging which significantly limits the quality of cerebral perfusion images. I am planning to develop a novel approach of cerebral perfusion magnetic resonance imaging […]

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Development of a specific targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

The global burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing as it has become the second leading cause of cancer-relateddeaths and the fifth most common cancer worldwide. HCC is heterogenous, arising in the setting of various chronic liver diseasessuch as hepatitis C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. Patients with cirrhosis who develop cancer cannot tolerate […]

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Ensuring Stability and Accuracy of Multi-rate Electromagnetic Transient Simulation

Real-time digital power system simulators are used for testing and debugging control equipment intended for field installation. They simulate the power network in ‘real-time’, i.e., the simulation computations are rapidly completed so as to retain synchronism with a real-world clock. This requires the level of complexity in different components of the network to be judiciously […]

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Visualizing information in situ with 3D photorealistic environments

Advances in computer graphics and display technology have brought new opportunities to create stunning visual effects and interactive experiences.Industry concerned with data visualization is seeking to incorporate these advances into their visualization pipelines. For example, our industrial partner LlamaZOO Interactive Inc. attempts to present abstract data situated in 3D realistic scenes. However, most research in […]

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Evaluation of the implementation at scale of a public health intervention to promote social and emotional development in the early years in British Columbia

British Columbia’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions has identified healthy social and emotional development (SED) in early childhood as a priority action towards addressing the province’s mental health crisis. In response, ChildHealth BC (CHBC) is developing a multi-component provincial intervention to expand the capacity of caregivers to promote SED in young children- the first […]

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Development of a new generation of neurovascular device for the treatment of fusiform cerebral bifurcation aneurysms using CFD modeling and virtual simulation of stent crimping into a catheter

Cerebral aneurysm (CA), is an abnormal dilation of the cerebral arterial wall, which accounts for more than half a million deaths each year worldwide. Flow diverters (FDs) represent one method recently developed in treating CAs. Typically, they do not need coiling (releasing platinum micro-coils within the aneurysm) and act purely to prevent substantial blood inflow […]

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Automated Scanning Probe Fabrication for Atomic Scale Devices

With our increasing dependence on technology, the total energy consumption from electronic devices for computation is projected to surpass all other contributions. By creating atomic-scale devices at the fundamental limits in size and energy cost, we can reduce their overall energy consumption while increasing computational power. While proof of concept devices are already routinely created, […]

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How are rapid environmental changes influencing Canadian-origin Yukon River Chinook declines?

Yukon River Chinook salmon have experienced devastating declines in recent years, leading to significant impacts on Yukon First Nation citizens. To address this growing conservation issue, we have collaborated with Yukon First Nations to understand their desires for improving salmon conservation capacity, and how we can support them in this endeavour. Together, we have identified […]

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Investigating WD repeat protein function in the nucleolar biology and cancer

Ribosome biosynthesis is one of the most multifaceted and energy-demanding processes in biology. It involves over 250 factors that transiently associate with the nascent pre-ribosome in a well-orchestrated manner. Importantly, increased ribosome biogenesis has a critical role in cancer initiation and progression. Owing to the advances in cryo-electron microscopy, this pathway’s detailed mechanism started to […]

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Metamaterials toolbox:Tuning heat flow at will in the Si-based materials at nano- and mesoscales

Heat management in semiconducting nanomaterials requires the design of engineered artificial structures, known as metamaterials, where thermal properties can be tuned almost at will by microstructural modifications. Testing a broad range of nanostructures for the particular device applications, with predictive behavior, is a grand challenge especially because of the difficulties associated with the experimental synthesis […]

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Synthesis and characterization of a new generation of bone targeting anabolic prodrugs – Year two

Prostaglandin E2 stimulates bone formation in vivo and exerts its effects through the EP4 receptor. Unfortunately prostaglandin E2 and agonists for the EP4 receptor also cause unacceptable systemic side effects which have limited their clinical use as anabolic agents. We developed novel bone-targeting prodrugs that can deliver EP4 agonists selectively to bone and liberate active […]

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Connecting atom-scale bentonite clay models to macroscale mechanical and transport models for spent nuclear fuel storage – Year two

Bentonite is a naturally occurring clay containing montmorillonite, a smectic clay mineral that has a high cation exchange capacity and swells upon contact with water. The swelling capacity of bentonite limits movement of water which makes it an attractive candidate to be used as an engineered barrier system to protect used nuclear fuel containers that […]

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