Innovative Projects Realized

Explore thousands of successful projects resulting from collaboration between organizations and post-secondary talent.

13270 Completed Projects

1072
AB
2795
BC
430
MB
106
NF
348
SK
4184
ON
2671
QC
43
PE
209
NB
474
NS

Projects by Category

10%
Computer science
9%
Engineering
1%
Engineering - biomedical
4%
Engineering - chemical / biological

Archaeological Data Management in Canada and the Comprehensive Heritage Research Information Platform

The proposed project undertakes a comparative study of existing regional archaeological data management systems and practices. Deconstructive analysis of each of these systems will preface a comparison of their component parts and identify relative absences and deficiencies. When reassembled, a theorizing of why these systems might be “missing pieces” can be undertaken recognizing their jurisdictional contexts. This research will then be applied in theorizing and eventually designing a centralized, multi-jurisdictional and remotely accessible model heritage research information platform. Timmins Martelle Heritage Consultants (TMHC) in cooperation with Sustainable Archaeology at Western University and under the auspices of a Mitacs Elevate Postdoctoral Fellowship will oversee this research initiative and any pilot application thereof. The production and analysis of these regional datasets together with the application of this research in constituting a model platform will be of immediate relevance to Canadian heritage stakeholders, commercial, academic and otherwise.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Neal Ferris

Student:

Joshua Benjamin Dent

Partner:

Discipline:

Anthropology

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

Western University

Program:

Elevate

Understanding collaborative community-based mental health services for adults 50 and over in the South Okanagan through an environmental scan and social network analysis

Mental health is an important health issue. Adults 50 and over with a mental health concern, particularly in rural communities have unique challenges. In the South Okanagan, research found there was a lack of community services/supports available and organizations offering these services and supports did not work well together. The aim of this study is to identify current services/supports for adults 50 and over with a mental health concern in the South Okanagan and to understand how organizations offering these services/supports work together. Through interviews and focus groups we will develop a comprehensive list of services/supports available for our target population. We will also determine the linkages and the strength between organizations through a specialized technique referred to as social network analysis. Our partner will receive a listing of services/supports available in the South Okanagan and have opportunities to network with community organization representatives.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Nelly Oelke

Student:

Verity Teagle

Partner:

BC Schizophrenia Society Penticton Branch

Discipline:

Nursing

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Characterizing microflora composition during the spontaneous fermentation of cassava flour

Quejos Ancient Foods (QAF) Inc. manufactures a line of dough-based food products that are gluten-free, grain-free, yeast-free, sugar-free. The dough is made from cassava flour, which has high concentration of carbohydrates and is rich in micronutrients. Traditionally, the cassava flour undergoes fermentation without the addition of yeast before the dough is made, and this process is not strictly regulated. In order to develop a standardized fermentation procedure for the production of a consistently high-quality product, we expect to generate critical information for the development of science-based quality control in cassava flour production. Specific objectives include: (1) to study the diversity and dynamics of the indigenous microflora during the fermentation of cassava flour using a combination of microbiological and molecular methods; (2) to evaluate the quality of cassava flour at different stages of fermentation, and (3) to evaluate the effectiveness of biomarkers in assessing the quality of fermented cassava flour.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Siyun Wang

Student:

Aljosa Trmcic

Partner:

Quejos Ancient Foods

Discipline:

Food science

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Investigation of heavy metal bioavailability and bioaccesibility in SierraSil® mineral complex and its impacts on inflammation and bioavailability of other medications and natural health products

This study will provide the information about the in vitro bioavailability of As and Pb in SierraSil® at the first time and validate the possible product specific bioaccessibility method that can be used to predict bioavailability. This study will first compare the mineral composition of SierraSil® after acid and alkaline digestion, thus it is possible find out the bioactive components in SierraSil®. We will also be able to provide the proof of the recommendation for the patients who take SierraSil® with other medication or natural health products. At last, this study may add new application of SierraSil® on intestinal inflammation and provide the possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms for SierraSil®.

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Faculty Supervisor:

David Kitts

Student:

Xiumin Chen

Partner:

SierraSil Health

Discipline:

Food science

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion: Innovating molecular methods for enhanced diagnostics and optimal treatment strategies

“Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a costly problem faced by many industrial sectors. Currently practised MIC diagnostic methods recognise the presence of microbes, but are incapable of identifying exactly which microbes are present, and their potential role in possible corrosion events. This disconnect often leads to sub-optimal corrosion management strategies, and even wastage of treatment resources. Novel DNA-based (molecular) MIC diagnostic techniques offer distinct advantages over traditional culture-based methods, but involve complex workflows and extensive off-site analyses. Leveraging the expertise of the proposed fellow, OSP Microcheck intends to research and develop an innovative product line that would streamline molecular MIC diagnostics by allowing DNA extraction (representative of the community) and even select molecular analyses to readily occur in-field alongside conventional, routine assays. DNA obtained will be subjected to two molecular analyses, 16S metagenomics and functional gene qPCR. Working closely with OSP’s clients, this data will be used to lead a scientific exploration of the relationships, causations, and correlations between MIC events, microbial communities and treatment/prevention strategies. TO BE CONT’D

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Faculty Supervisor:

Raymond Turner

Student:

Marc Demeter

Partner:

OSP Microcheck

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Elevate

Understanding the Impact of Fontan Circulatory Repair on Brain Blood Flow Health

Children born with an absent or ineffective right or left ventricle (single ventricle) have a low life expectancy and will undergo at least three surgical procedures ultimately leading to the Fontan Procedure (FP), which allows blood to travel directly to the lungs (bypassing the heart) to become oxygenated. Adolescent FP-patients indicate poor cardiovascular health which in turn could challenge brain blood flow, thereby affecting cognitive capacity and increasing risk of stroke. FP is a relatively new procedure and long-term effects on brain health are unknown. We will combine magnetic resonance (MRI) and ultrasound imaging, cognitive testing, and cardiac/brain blood flow control testing, to provide a preliminary assessment of brain blood flow health in FP-treated patients. It is anticipated that FP-treated patients will behave have poorer cerebrovascular outcomes than age-matched healthy controls. In line with the Children’s Health Foundation (the NFP organization partner) mission statement, this study will bring together the research and health care communities to influence these children’s primary care thereby improving long-term quality of life for children born with abnormal heart conditions.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Kevin Shoemaker

Student:

Baraa Al-Khazraji

Partner:

Children's Health Foundation

Discipline:

Kinesiology

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Western University

Program:

Elevate

My Wellness Journey: A Health Promotion Study for Children and Youth with Disabilities

The purpose of this project is to support the development of wellness-focused interventions, including weight management, mental health and social well-being for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). To date, the focus of health promotion interventions have primarily focused on typically developing children and adolescents, rather than those with IDD. The partner organization, Special Olympics Canada, will benefit from a study to understand the specific wellness needs of children with IDD, and their families, that may be different from children who are typically developing. The results from this study will be used to design a wellness framework and implement health promotion interventions within Special Olympics Canada to meet client needs.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Amy McPherson

Student:

Tamara Yee

Partner:

Special Olympics Canada

Discipline:

Epidemiology / Public health and policy

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

University of Toronto

Program:

Elevate

Towards a sustainable anti-biofilm technology based on natural materials

Biofilms, surface-adherent microbial populations with enhanced tolerance to antibiotics and disinfectants, are widely-known contamination sources in environmental, industrial and medical settings. Novel approaches for the prevention and remediation of biofilms using nontoxic materials are urgently required. Interestingly, natural polysaccharides and nanopowders have anti-biofilm properties. We will develop a sustainable anti-biofilm technology using PhytoSpherix™ (Mirexus), a natural nanosized polysaccharide extracted from corn. High water dispensability and hydrating ability, paired with a capability to form ultra-thin-films, make PhytoSpherix™ an exceptional candidate anti-biofilm agent. Preliminary work has demonstrated that chemically-modified PhytoSpherix™ limits biofilm growth and enhances susceptibility to diverse antimicrobials. In the proposed project, we will employ Pseudomonads (ubiquitous spoilage bacteria and pathogen in industrial and medical settings) and Cyanobacteria (photosynthetic bacteria in aqueous environments) to study anti-biofilm properties of PhytoSpherix™ particles. For this purpose, we will perform laboratory experiments and use a variety of high resolution microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, which will yield critical insight into the mechanism of PhytoSpherix™ anti-biofilm properties and provide basis for the rationale design of novel anti-biofilm regimens. Licensing PhytoSpherix™-based formulations to industry will enable Mirexus to generate early revenue streams, hire more staff, further invest in R&D, and build a manufacturing plant – all in Canada.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Maria Dittrich

Student:

Maryam Tavafoghi Jahromi

Partner:

Mirexus

Discipline:

Environmental sciences

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Program:

Elevate

Sustainable production of engineered wood products in Northwestern Ontario: Developing harmonized decision models and standards for local materials

The global demand for engineered wood products (EWP) is increasing and in the last two decades, timber has captured substantial market shares from the mineral-based solid construction materials, particularly in the construction of residential and non-residential buildings. Although, the production of glue laminated timber (Glulam) and cross laminated timber (CLT) engineered wood products has been growing in other provinces of Canada, there are no manufacturing facilities in Ontario to service the local and the Midwest and Great Lakes States markets. Leaf EWP is establishing a new value-added facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario to manufacture Glulam and CLT EWP from timber species available in Northwestern Ontario. The purpose of this proposed research project is to ensure sustainable production of the Glulam and CLT EWP from local material in Northwestern Ontario. The models to be developed in this research project will help in establishing standards for manufacturing, testing the flexural design properties, and ensuring the performance of laminated EWP produced from local species. The supply chain models proposed in this project, which focus on economic optimization based on available supply and global market demand, are unique in studying the trade-off between economic, social and environmental impacts of laminated EWP in Northwestern Ontario.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Mathew Leitch

Student:

SHASHI SHAHI

Partner:

LEAF Engineered Wood Products

Discipline:

Resources and environmental management

Sector:

Natural resources

University:

Lakehead University

Program:

Elevate

Development of dual antibody therapies for cancer

Cancer is a devastating disease defined by genetic changes that result in the activation of proteins that encourage cell growth or prevent cell death. Modern oncology aims to specifically target these tumour-promoting proteins, which has the secondary benefit of leaving normal cells unharmed, unlike chemotherapy. Recently, a number of drugs that specifically block tumour-promoting proteins have been produced, yet the results are underwhelming: most targeted therapies show an initial benefit, followed by the development of resistance. To combat resistance, targeted therapies are often combined in multi-drug regimens, though these strategies are biased towards using existing drugs. Our approach aims to first identify new ‘helper’ drug targets that, when blocked, improve the efficacy of first generation targeted therapies being developed at the Centre for the Commercialization of Antibodies and Biologics (CCAB). Our second aim is to develop drugs that block the identified targets by engineering versions of naturally-occurring human proteins – antibodies – that bind the targets. These antibodies will be tested for their ability to increase targeted therapy efficacy, hopefully establishing novel approaches for cancer treatment and positively impacting the development of CCAB cancer drugs.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jason Moffat

Student:

Jacob Turowec

Partner:

Centre for the Commercialization of Antibodies and Biologics

Discipline:

Biochemistry / Molecular biology

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

University of Toronto

Program:

Elevate

Portable diagnostic device for outpatient BNP detection

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is an established prognostic marker for the early detection of heart failure. Elevated blood BNP levels are directly correlated to the severity of HF and decompensation. Current FDA approved immunoassays for BNP detection can only be carried out in medical laboratories or emergency rooms. Outpatient-use BNP monitors are yet to be developed. The objective of this project is to develop a prototype of the portable diagnostic device that can give a rapid electrical readout of BNP levels in a drop of blood. The applicant will work on the prototype development as a Post Doctoral Fellow both in the supervisor’s lab (Prof. Juewen Liu, Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo) and in the R&D facility of the partner company (LeNano Diagnostics Inc.). The applicant will be responsible for the device fabrication and for carrying out experiments on the electrochemical detection of BNP in whole blood samples. The partner company will benefit from the knowledge and technical skills of the applicant who is an expert in sensing micro-devices and from the scientific expertise of the supervisor’s lab. The partner company will also benefit from the eventual commercialization of the resulted diagnostic device.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Juewen Liu

Student:

Yael Zilberman-Simakov

Partner:

LeNano Diagnostics

Discipline:

Chemistry

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

University of Waterloo

Program:

Elevate

Developing Tools to Track Vocalizing Marine Mammals with Long Baseline Hydrophone Arrays

The scope of this project is to use acoustic data from long-baseline arrays of hydrophones to detect, locate, and track marine mammals based on their vocalization. Specifically, the project aims to assess methods and develop automated tracking algorithms that provide accurate results for individual signals, and a maximum of flexibility regarding the channel, array, and signal characteristics. In cooperation with our industry partners — WWF-Canada, the Gitga’at First Nation, and the North Coast Cetacean Society — we will use the results to analyze the detailed movement pattern for a broad range of vocalizing marine mammals and their interdependency with human activities, such as ship traffic. The work will be conducted for the culturally, ecologically, and economically important marine environment around Gil Island in northern British Columbia and will make use of the sophisticated hydrophone array installed in Squally Channel. At this point, efficient, widely applicable tools for automated transient signal tracking do not exist for civilian long baseline hydrophone arrays, despite the high demand from industry, research, and government. The applications for such tracking tools range from facilitating port security to studies of marine habitat usage, or tracking species at risk.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Aaron Gulliver

Student:

Benjamin Hendricks

Partner:

World Wildlife Fund

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

University of Victoria

Program:

Elevate

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