Ionic liquids are organic-cation salts that feature the property of being liquid at lower temperatures than their inorganic counterparts. This peculiar characteristic added to their versatility and recoverability make those compounds excellent candidates for many applications such as a replacement for conventional toxic and hardly recyclable organic solvents, among others. However, their high viscosity is […]

Natural communities are undergoing accelerated changes due to human pressures such as habitat fragmentation and species invasions. One way of anticipating community responses to these changes is through dynamical food web models whereby key species traits are altered and the community repercussions are assessed. These modeling approaches, however, overlook the spatial dynamics which are critical […]

(Re)development of public spaces in order to improve liveability may contribute to undesirable neighbourhood change including gentrification or excessive tourism. The creation of new green spaces – sorely needed in many neighbourhoods – may also be accelerating gentrification processes. Young families and children are residents that are highly affected by neighbourhood change, but understudied. This […]

Sustainable production of biofuel from biomass is the subject of my project at the University of Zaragoza and institute of coal chemistry (CSIC) located in Zaragoza, Spain. The overall objective of the project is design of an efficient biomass-to-biofuel conversion process to reduce emission of carcinogenic compounds into the atmosphere. In this regard, I will […]

This project explores reasons why there are differences in bicycling behaviour between men and women using two longitudinal datasets. It leverages synergies between two research teams examining bicycling uptake Brisbane and Vancouver. Brisbane and Vancouver are promoting active transportation by bicycle through investing in physical bicycling infrastructure, education programs, and promotional activities. Though it is […]

B.C. is home to many of the largest bridges in North America, as well as the largest earthquakes in Canada and the world. The ongoing research efforts aim to implement an automated monitoring system that detects and localizes post-earthquake damage on bridges in real-time based on ambient vibrations. The vision is that in the event […]

L’exploitation de la centrale hydroélectrique Romaine-1 cause sur la rivière Romaine des fluctuations du débit susceptible d’entraîner le déplacement des saumons juvéniles en dehors de leurs habitats préférentiels. Il est donc essentiel de déterminer si le mode de gestion actuel des débits permet aux saumons juvéniles de se maintenir dans leurs habitats. Pour étudier la […]

es dernières années, les objectifs imposés par la gouvernance environnementale internationale ont conduit au développement de matériaux plus durables. Au Canada, cela a permis l’essor de nouveaux produits technologiques issus de l’industrie agroforestière et en particulier la valorisation de la cellulose pour le développement de nouveaux matériaux ‘vert’ à faible impact environnemental. Parmi les différents […]

Steel structures are commonly considered highly ductile and less sensitive to seismic effects provided that adequate seismic detailing for ensuring sufficient energy dissipating mechanism are guaranteed. However, many existing steel residential framed buildings have been designed before the implementation of modern seismic structural design codes. These buildings show low energy absorption and inadequate dissipation capacity […]

Étant consciente de la dégradation de l’environnement et du risque qui en découle pour la santé et la sécurité des citoyens, mon projet de thèse réalisé à Valence en Espagne permettra de dégager un portrait des comportements environnementaux pratiqués dans notre société en comparaison avec ceux de l’international. Ainsi, l’étude permettra de sortir des sentiers […]

Underwater visual analysis (UWVA) is a passive and non-invasive method gaining popularity in freshwater systems. UWVA uses underwater cameras and/or snorkel surveys to assess species richness and abundance. UWVA could also be used to detect endangered and invasive fishes, which is important for conservation and management of freshwater ecosystems. To determine the applicability of the […]

We will use a database of more than 30 years of scientific survey and citizen-science observations of common loon breeding on lakes in Ontario, as well as other parts of Canada, to determine whether loons now breed successfully on lakes where they were negatively affected by acid rain (and other human threats like development). Our […]