Innovative Projects Realized

Imaging of Organic Contaminants with Spectral Induced Polarization

In this research project, the student will first be integrated into Dr. Slater’s research group and begin learning the desired knowledge and skills related to his PhD research. The project will be mainly focused on the training of performing laboratory experiments using widely used imaging techniques on polluted soils. The experiments will focus on the operation of different instrumentation using different approaches on implementing laboratory experiments. Moreover, different processing techniques will be employed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the experimental results. A key goal of this research program is the collaboration with a world-leading expert in his field and the learning of new knowledge and skills that will directly enhance student’s PhD research and improve his research communication and networking skills. Lastly, this program is an exciting opportunity for the student to travel and study in another country and experience a different culture and lifestyle.

Conversion du glycérol en acroléine et acrylonitrile

La production de biodiésel (et donc de glycérol) à partir des lipides devra être effectuée dans des usines de capacité relativement limitée, donc délocalisées. Une délocalisation similaire des usines de conversion du glycérol pourrait alors s’avérer avantageuse ce qui générerait la création d’activité économique nouvelle dans les régions qui comme le Québec ne bénéficient pas de ressources pétrolières. Les deux composés visés par ce projet (acroléine et acrylonitrile) sont des produits chimiques servant de matières premières. Tous deux sont produits à très grande échelle à partir de propylène d’origine fossile. Il y a donc un potentiel très significatif pour des nouveaux procédés de produire ces deux composés à partir d’une source verte, le glycérol.

Atteinte de la cible zéro enfouissement par une plateforme de valorisation des résidus serricoles

Le Canada dénombre plus de 830 entreprises de serriculture maraîchère exploitant plus de 1500 hectares. La majorité des exploitations produisent la tomate, générant plusieurs tonnes de matières résiduelles de plastiques. Les types et les volumes de plastiques étant peu documentés, le potentiel de recyclage et de valorisation de ces gisements demeure obscur. Ce projet permettra d’amorcer un virage majeur, où 100% des résidus de plastiques issus des plus grands producteurs de tomates du Québec éviteront l’enfouissement. Cet objectif sera atteint par la mobilisation d’un consortium d’experts et d’étudiants qui feront un inventaire des plastiques serricoles pour ensuite proposer un porte folio de solutions de valorisation et mettre en place certaines solutions dans les entreprises serricoles. Les efforts de recherche, de consultations et d’activités de maillage prévues dans ce projet conduiront à l’établissement de symbioses industrielles entre des producteurs serricoles et des entreprises productrices de produits biosourcés.

Intact : Détection de réclamations perte totale à partir d’images

Intact vise à offrir un service de réclamations accéléré à ses clients. Au moment d’ouvrir une réclamation, Intact demande d’ores et déjà à ses clients de fournir des images du véhicule qui permettent d’identifier préalablement la condition générale du véhicule.
Le stagiaire aura ainsi à extraire l’information de manière automatique à partir des images qui seront attachées au dossier. Intact souhaite ensuite explorer différents filons grâce à l’apprentissage automatique supervisé pour raccourcir les étapes jugées critiques dans le processus de réclamation.
La satisfaction des clients est grandement influencée par le temps requis pour régler une réclamation. Ce projet vise principalement raccourcir ces délais et à améliorer la productivité des employés assignés aux réclamations.

TVI Ocean Impact Initiative

Working together with the Tourism Vancouver Island (TVI), the intern will develop and implement a communications campaign targeting consumers and tourism businesses focused on ocean stewardship and responsible travel. The intern will elevate the role and responsibility of destination management organizations in serving as stewards of the destination in order to reduce the impact of the visitor economy on Vancouver Island’s ocean and intertidal ecosystems through direct action, research, and communications.

The project aims to increase awareness of the tourism industry’s impact on the ocean on Vancouver Island, maintaining its place as a world-renowned destination. This project will seek to mitigate impacts on ocean and intertidal ecosystems through shoreline cleanups while encouraging tourism businesses and visitors to reduce their impact on the ocean through corporate and consumer communication activities.

As an Island destination, protecting and reducing the tourism industry’s impact on the ocean is essential to Vancouver Island maintaining its place as a world-renowned destination. The benefits for TVI of this project:
– raise Vancouver island sustainability tourism profile,
– make Vancouver Island an attractive destination that implements sustainable practices,
– implement actions that support the Biosphere Tourism Certification that TVI applied for in 2021.

Documentary Digital Storytelling & Decolonization: Discussion Series on Co-Creating Media with a purpose in Indigenous Communities

This study aims to examine Indigenous methodological and participatory approaches to co-creating media with Indigenous storytellers and communities. Additionally, this study aims to generate information about ways to decolonize the media production process through better understanding co-creation and engagement practices. Through a dynamic partnership with two doctoral candidates whose dissertations explore Indigenous participatory methods of co-creating a script and accompanying impact campaign for a DocuStory on Hep C, staff and youth at the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY) gain practical insights into producing digital stories in a culturally appropriate and meaningful way. By creating a behind the scenes mini-documentary to be used for discussions, a Tacos and Talking series will allow student researchers to engage and discuss their process and key-learnings with staff and youth. Additionally, by analyzing scholarly literature and learning from the experiences of Indigenous participants involved in the DocuStory, this study will expand the knowledge base relating to co-creating cultural relevant media with a strategic purpose. USAY’s participation in this study provides an engaging opportunity for their programs to engage in discussions about co-creating media with communities while raising awareness and destigmatizing Hep C to improve health equity to work toward reconciliation on health.

GRRIT UAlberta Business Strategy Internship

The GRRIT (Glenrose Rehabilitation Research, Innovation and Technology) hub within Alberta Health Services is collaborating with the University of Alberta to support the development of innovative products to benefit people living with physical or cognitive disabilities. We also have working relationships with industry, entrepreneurs, clinical staff, patients, and families who have expertise in engineering, design, business development and marketing. The overarching goal is to improve outcomes of patients by using engineering skills to bring promising devices and ideas into use within the health system. This proposal will provide unique work experiences to undergraduate engineering students beyond the technical engineering mentorships through academic advisors to entrepreneurship, role of intellectual property and its protection, interactions with healthcare and healthcare professionals, and taking a product from the idea stage to intended use through the organization advisors.

DSORC Application – Strategic Planning Associate & Operations Associate

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the transformation of the global workforce, The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County (DSORC) has adapted by transforming our organization to align with the current times. Throughout the pandemic, a multitude of our services have gone virtual and all of our employees have been working from home. To emerge from this in a triumphant fashion, DSORC is in the process of building a new office and community space that will further our status as a leader in Dementia awareness. With this, DSORC is tasked with transforming our delivery model, moving our entire organization into a new space and creating individual workplans for each employee.

Business Development Co-Op – Ontario

Sliike is developing an App that is unique and in the market space. The App is also tailored for the English speaking and French customers and clients in Canada. We are currently at the advance stage of the Mobile App design and getting close to launch. The App has a new feature that requires B2B engagement for the App to commercialize and scale.

imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival

imagineNATIVE is the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content. They have been recognized globally for their innovative programming and as the global centre for Indigenous media arts, known most prominently for the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival that takes place annually in October. As a subsector within the creative industries, the film industry has been hit particularly hard by COVID-19 and subsequent repercussions related to stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures to control the spread of the disease. This project will be addressing challenges related to the recovery of the film industry in the short- and medium-term, as well as exploring and expanding on sustainable hybrid solutions for the long-term.

Improved detection of Blueberry Scorch virus, a major pathogen in BC blueberry farms

Disease and death of blueberry plants caused by Blueberry Scorch Virus (BlScV) is a major problem in Blueberry farms of British Columbia, a key sector of the local agricultural economy. Correct diagnosis is instrumental to separate from non-lethal Shock Virus as BlScV-infected plants should be removed to reduced spread to other plants. In recent years, however, a substantial portion of diseased plants test negative for both viruses using the preferred and affordable ELISA method. We have compared detection methods and found that the virus is not detected by the preferred and affordable method of detection. Here we propose to test if the discrepancies are due to new BlScV variants in BC and/or an issue with the sensitivity of current preferred diagnostic method. Depending on the results, we will (a) develop new detection assay adapted to local BlScV variants or (b) test new methodology to improve sensitivity of current method.

Développement et évaluation d’une intervention de santé publique pour réduire le risque péridomestique de la maladies transmises par les tiques dans la ville de Bromont

Les maladies transmises par les tiques (MTT), comme la maladie de Lyme et l’anaplasmose, représentent un fardeau sanitaire en constante croissance au Québec et au Canada. Cette croissance est notamment liée aux changements climatiques et environnementaux modifiant la distribution des tiques à pattes noires. Ce sont les micromammifères qui sont responsables du maintien et de l’amplification du cycle de transmission environnementale des agents infectieux responsables de ces maladies. La MRC de Brome-Missiquoi, en particulier la municipalité de Bromont, présente un des taux d’incidence les plus élevés de maladie de Lyme au Québec et a été, en 2021, le lieu de la plus importante éclosion d’anaplasmose rapportée dans l’histoire du Québec. L’étendue des zones forestières, leur proximité avec les résidences et le développement extensif d’infrastructures récréotouristiques en milieu forestier dans la MRC favorisent l’exposition de nombreux résidents et non-résidents aux MTT. Un projet de recherche-action a été lancé en 2019, qui visait à la fois à déterminer l’effet d’une nouvelle intervention environnementale sur les tiques dans l’environnement, ainsi qu’à mobiliser la communauté et favoriser sa prise en charge des activités préventives contre la maladie de Lyme. La collecte de données de ce projet prendra fin en 2022 et une nouvelle phase de recherche débutera, qui vise à optimiser l’intervention développée et implantée dans la municipalité de Bromont et à évaluer si elle peut être utilisée pour prévenir non seulement le risque de maladie de Lyme, mais également le risque d’anaplasmose.