Wild bee microbiomes and pollinator health – Year Two

The holobiont view of organism microbiomes suggests that microbial communities influence and are influenced by animal behaviour. While many microbes are beneficial and necessary for digestion and homeostasis, others can be detrimental, including pathogens leading to compromised immunity and disease states. Recent studies suggest microbiomes covary with landscape floral and fungal diversity, yet fine scale […]

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Advancing Materials Science using Resonant Inelastic Scattering

This program will focus on the detailed characterization of the luminescence of a series of next-generation doped phosphors for lighting applications. These narrow-band-emitting, high-efficiency phosphors have demonstrated outstanding potential for use in phosphor-converted light emitting diodes. This technology is poised to replace traditional incandescent lights and it is expected to lead to an outstanding reduction […]

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Advancing Materials Science using Resonant Inelastic Scattering – Year Two

This program will focus on the detailed characterization of the luminescence of a series of next-generation doped phosphors for lighting applications. These narrow-band-emitting, high-efficiency phosphors have demonstrated outstanding potential for use in phosphor-converted light emitting diodes. This technology is poised to replace traditional incandescent lights and it is expected to lead to an outstanding reduction […]

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Direct Solution Processing of Fullerene C60 with Branched Polyethylene Towards Improved Organic Electronics

Organic solar cells are promising sources of renewable energy, with the added benefit of mechanical flexibility making them particularly desirable for many applications compared to traditional silicon solar cells. However, high cost and low efficiency has thus far hindered the commercialization of organic devices, restricting their development to academic research labs. One of the carbon-based […]

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Direct Solution Processing of Fullerene C60 with Branched Polyethylene Towards Improved Organic Electronics – Year Two

Organic solar cells are promising sources of renewable energy, with the added benefit of mechanical flexibility making them particularly desirable for many applications compared to traditional silicon solar cells. However, high cost and low efficiency has thus far hindered the commercialization of organic devices, restricting their development to academic research labs. One of the carbon-based […]

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Validating an automated speech assessment pipeline for use with individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – Year Two

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease that affects many parts of patients’ lives, such as the abilities to think, move, and speak. Speech problems in ALS can have a substantial effect on patients’ quality of life. They are also related to faster disease progression and shorter survival time. It may be possible to […]

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Exploring climate action pathways towards a broader, deeper social mandate for a net-zero carbon economy

Climate change is understood variously across populations, and climate action strategies receive varying degrees of support. This study will explore climate action pathways towards a broader, deeper social mandate for a net-zero carbon economy. It will specifically identify the communication and engagement strategies that are most resonant with certain segments of the population in BC, […]

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Exploring climate action pathways towards a broader, deeper social mandate for a net-zero carbon economy – Year two

Climate change is understood variously across populations, and climate action strategies receive varying degrees of support. This study will explore climate action pathways towards a broader, deeper social mandate for a net-zero carbon economy. It will specifically identify the communication and engagement strategies that are most resonant with certain segments of the population in BC, […]

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Optical transistors and nano-features for security applications

We study a novel type of optical transistors using metallic nanohole arrays. The transistors operate based on strong coupling between surface plasmon polaritons and excitons via the metallic nanofeatures. One such transistor can act as a control unit, a photo-detector or a modulator and can open innovative practical applications in many fields. The physical structures […]

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Hyperpolarized 129Xe Cerebral Perfusion MRI Imaging Development – Year two

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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Sensory Disinhibition, Cognitive Flexibility and the Neural Correlates Underlying Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Simultaneous EEG-fMRI Study

Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often struggle to relax, or simply be at ‘rest.’ In particular, recent research has revealed participants with PTSD show hyper-activity across the visual cortex while at rest. Referred to as sensory hyper-activity and disinhibition, altered resting-state patterns are thought to be underlying hypervigilance and re-living sensations clinically, as well […]

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