Biobased products, mostly derived from plant biomass, have the potential to improve the sustainability of Canada’s natural resources and environmental quality while competing economically. Plant biomass, composed primarily of cell walls and modification of cell wall properties has the potential to improve biomass conversion to biobased products such as biofuels. Progress towards achieving this goal […]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease causing pain and disability affecting weight-bearing joints. Unlike knee and hip OA, ankle OA is linked to trauma and remains under-researched despite its impact on mobility and quality of life. Joint kinematics play a key role in OA progression, as altered movement patterns accelerate cartilage degeneration by changing […]

The hydroxy group (–OH) is well represented in organic chemistry and is present in 37% of commercial therapeutics, 69% of natural products and numerous biomasses. Despite their ubiquitous nature, the development of methods to directly transform hydroxy groups in a mild and less wasteful way has been seriously neglected. This, therefore, pushes for a method […]

Our lab has demonstrated that voluntary apneas (i.e., breath-holds) at high altitude cause decreases in heart rate in lowlander populations. Apneas at altitude also cause cardiac arrhythmias in a majority of lowlanders. Unlike lowlanders, native highlanders (e.g., Nepali Sherpa) do not get the same decreased heart rate and cardiac arrhythmias during voluntary apneas at high […]

THIS IS A GENERIC TEXT PUT IN PLACE AS THERE WAS NO PROJECT OVERVIEW

Rapid urbanization has resulted in increased cement production and use, generating waste like cement kiln dust (CKD) and greenhouse gases. CKD, often landfilled, is now used as a soil amendment for its alkaline properties to counter soil acidification. When CKD is applied to the soil, it alters soil pH, affecting nutrient availability (e.g., nitrogen (N), […]

The project leverages artificial intelligence to automate the stenosis and plaque detection for cardiologist and radiologist users in their diagnoses of coronary artery diseases. This will greatly facilitate their workflow in busy clinical settings. By reducing the time required for analyzing each patient case, healthcare professionals can focus more on patient care. Automation can also […]

This project focuses on synthesizing a new class of conjugated polymers incorporating stable, quinoidal units that enhance electronic properties, targeting applications in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), organic solar cells, and organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). By designing polymers that feature reduced bond-length alternation, these materials exhibit lower band gaps and high charge carrier mobilities, essential for […]

The proposed research focuses on improving wildfire evacuation planning by creating a real-time, AI-driven route optimization system. Using advanced geospatial tools like ArcGIS, the project will analyze GPS, traffic, weather, and wildfire data to identify safe, efficient evacuation routes. It will also incorporate evacuee behavior, such as common stops at essential services, to ensure routes […]

Antimicrobial resistant infections are a burgeoning threat to humankind. Unfortunately, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) programs have traditionally focused on bacteria and excluded fungi, which are now considered critical priority pathogens. Candida albicans, a commensal in many sites in the human body, can become pathogenic in immunocompromised patients. It is resistant to almost all classes of clinically-available […]

This project aims to develop a large language model (LLM)-powered social networking platform specifically designed for pet owners and their pets. The goal of this project is to develop a large-scale, AI-powered social networking platform for pets, bringing together pet owners, pets, and charitable organizations. Pet companionship is a growing aspect of Canadian life, especially […]

Chronic wounds pose a significant threat to public health. The economic burden of wounds is projected to increase to $18.7 billion by 2027, with an annual growth rate of 6.6% from 2020 to 2027. By providing a fertile ground for the growth of infectious microorganisms, especially in immunocompromised patients, wounds lead to extended hospitalization and […]