Climate change is causing rapid environmental shifts, resulting in high levels of multiple stressors impacting diverse species. To avoid extinction, species need to adapt quickly to those stressors. As coral reef ecosystems are disproportionately affected by climate change, the species within them are vulnerable to environmental changes. One mechanism by which species can adapt rapidly […]

Wind and solar energy are the fastest growing sources of electricity in Canada. However, its electricity supply is not aligned with the energy demand. In this context, energy storage becomes more and more important to bridge temporal and geographical gaps. The Power-to-Gas process (P2G) is a promising technology in which excess electricity is converted to […]

Over 400 million homes in China burn coal to meet indoor heating requirements, exposing individuals to air pollution in their homes and contributing to poor ambient air quality. Exposure to air pollution is associated with excess morbidity and mortality, but few studies have assessed the impact of interventions that reduce air pollution. Recently, the Beijing […]

I propose a one semester research stay (Fall 2019) at KU Leuven with Dr. Henning Tegtmeyer. I will study nothing. That is, I will study the philosophical concept of nothingness – how nothing defies and confounds thought. The concept of nothing emerges prominently in the works of Martin Heidegger, a 20th century German philosopher, and […]

Celtic traditional music and dance (CTMD) plays a pivotal social, economic, and cultural role in the Shetland and Orkney Islands. In contrast to the Canadian decline of CTMD, there have been successful, state-sanctioned revivals throughout the UK for both cultural and economic development. However, highlighting the circumpolar connections of traditional music in the North Atlantic, […]

My doctoral research examines the ways in which the state facilitates the political participation of some of its most vulnerable citizens. Although individuals experiencing homelessness possess the same rights as their societal counterparts, their relationship with the state is governed by several policies that shape their citizenship. The public policies within a given welfare state […]

We combine quantitative experimental measurements of immune cells with mathematical models to systematically study the body’s anti-viral response. In particular, we are looking at how immune cells communicate with each other to coordinate an immune response. We want to understand how biochemical reactions in the cell can be used to process the complicated pattern of […]

Canada is susceptible to different hazards associated with natural disasters. On one hand, the East Coast is exposed to hurricanes and its effects, and on the other hand, the West Coast is threatned by earthquakes and its chain consequences such as tsunamis. In such circumstances, it is critical to arrange delivery of emergency supplies to […]

The plant cuticle is an essential extracellular structure required for plant survival on land. It forms a seal over the aerial plant surfaces providing protection against biotic and abiotic stress. It controls water exchange between the plant and its environment and reduces the risk of infection and herbivory. Cuticle structure, composition and biosynthesis are well […]

We propose to explore the notion of relative reachability in transportation networks. Relative reachability refers to the determination of which transportation mode is more efficient to reach a given location in a city, e.g., using private vehicles vs. public transit. Within this context, an obvious and admittedly straightforward question (query) is to find the relative […]

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-associated disease where women develop high blood pressure and protein in their urine. It is the leading cause of mother and foetus mortality and morbidity. However, we have yet to identify its specific cause as well as methods for early detection and prevention. Women who have high-blood pressure are more at risk […]

My doctoral research explores the development of the seasteading movement, which is working to establish permanent settlements on structures located in areas of sea outside the jurisdiction of any country. I will work under the supervision of Professor David Pinder at Roskilde University between August 2019 and January 2020. Given his extensive experience examining utopianism, […]