Optimization of the immune response against transferrin receptor based vaccines

The bacterial transferrin receptor is considered to be a potentially efficacious candidate vaccine antigen against pathogens important in human disease and in animal husbandry. Previous data suggests that transferrin receptor-based antigens can elicit protection from both invasive disease and potentially from asymptomatic colonization. One major consideration when developing vaccines is the choice of adjuvant, a […]

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Examining Post-Implementation Pass Rates of Canadian Wildland Fire Fighters on their Physical Employment Standard.

Wildland fire fighting is a physically demanding public safety occupation. Front-line wildland fire fighters (WFF) must have an appropriate level of job-related fitness for safe and efficient work performance. Beginning in 2011, it was required that all WFF must demonstrate that they are capable of meeting the rigorous physical demands encountered during an initial attack […]

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Multi-species sustainable fisheries management using scientific and traditional ecological methods

I propose a multi-species fish population monitoring project in Quebec’s largest lake (Mistassini), to facilitate community-based fisheries management. Mistassini is home to recreational fisheries for walleye, lake trout, brook trout and pike. With a 31% increase in the regional human population since 2001 and increasing fishing pressure, effective monitoring of Mistassini’s harvested fish populations is […]

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Process optimization for extraction of compounds from natural sources

The proposed research project aims to optimize the conditions for Carbon dioxide eXpanded Liquid Extraction (CXLE) which uses liquefied Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and ethanol as co-solvents for extraction of compounds from natural sources. Design alterations will be implemented to a Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) unit at the partner organization (BioFoodTech) to perform CXLE and further […]

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Rapid Quantification of Bovine Colostrum Immunoglobulin G and Macronutrients(Fat, Proteins and Lactose) Using FTIR Spectroscopy

Colostrum is the initial secretion from the mammary gland after parturition and it is a crucial source of immunity and nutrition for newborn calves. Because of the placental barrier to immunoglobulin transfer in ruminants, colostrum provides the neonate with immunoglobulins (mainly IgG) essential for passive immunity that plays a key role in the prevention of […]

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Management of group-housed sows: optimizing mixing time and environmental enrichment to improve welfare and productivity

Pork producers in Canada are in the process of transitioning from stall housing to group housing systems for gestating sows. The greatest concern with this change is the problem of aggression when pregnant sows are mixed. Mixing frequently results in aggressive interactions among sows, and can affect reproduction and cause welfare problems. Typically sows are […]

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Development of predictive erosion-corrosion models for potash slurry flow

Electrochemical corrosion is the most common source of plant downtime in the Chemical Processing Industries (CPI); in the Province of Saskatchewan, the Mining Industry plays a very significant role in CPI. Mineral processing plants handle electrolytic and abrasive materials that can cause very significant structural damage due to electrochemical corrosion and wear. The objective of […]

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The Role of Material Security in Improving Health for People Who Use Drugs

It is well known that an adequate and stable income promotes health. Material security (e.g., housing, food, and service access) may operate distinctly from income security, yet may also be critically important to health. Nevertheless, material security and its relationship with employment is not well understood, an important oversight in research among people who use […]

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Applications of deep learning to large-scale data analysis in mass spectrometry-based proteomics

As a result of recent advances in high-throughput technologies, rapidly increasing amounts of mass spectrometry (MS) data pose new opportunities as well as challenges to existing analysis methods. Novel computational approaches are needed to take advantage of latest breakthroughs in high-performance computing for the large-scale analysis of big data from MS-based proteomics. In this project, […]

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Harnessing the power of horizontal gene transfer for yeast strain development

Yeast are used on a massive scale in many industrial settings, such as production of food and beverages, nutrient supplements, pharmaceuticals, and others, totaling over $5 billion dollars in annual market value. Most yeasts currently used for industrial purposes are taken directly from nature and not optimized for the specific process requirements of industry. Currently, […]

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Development of Combined Building Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal (BIPV/T) System for Net-Zero Energy Building Applications – Year two

Building integrated photovoltaic–thermal array (BIPV/T) incorporated within a building structure is a system that combines the roof/facade, photovoltaic cells and thermal collector as an all-in-one product instead of installing each individually. BIPV/T effectively replaces conventional building materials and is more cost-effective than having several separate products, and installation of the BIPV/T system can be implemented […]

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Mathematical modeling of B-vitamin supply in dairy cows – Year two

The B vitamin requirements of cattle were traditionally satisfied via rumen microbial synthesis. However, the B vitamin demands of the modern high producing dairy cow now exceed the synthesis rate by rumen microbes, leading to sub-optimal milk production and efficiency. An increased understanding of dietary factors driving ruminal synthesis and use of B vitamins will […]

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