Innovative Projects Realized

Phase I: Using simultaneous EEG-fMRI to study theaffective mechanisms underlying obsessivecompulsivedisorder

The aim of this project is to improve simultaneous EEG-fMRI techniques through the use of constrained principal component analysis (CPCA). The main problem with combining EEG measures and fMRI measures is that recording EEG in the MR scanner always injects noise into the data. CPCA partitions the variability of the data into systematic and error variance. By using CPCA, a technique optimized in the Woodward lab, we can greatly reduce the noise in the signal (by dropping the error variance), and thus greatly improve our ability to merge the two modalities (Metzak, 2011; Metzak, 2012; Woodward, 2006, Woodward, 2013) The proposed research program will explore this question using the newly installed GE scanner at the Child and Family Research Imaging Facility at Children’s & Women’s Health Centre of BC, and the newly purchased MR-compatible EEG system from EGI. We intend to create a protocol for collecting and analyzing data using these new systems, and then use that protocol to start looking for neural disease makers, using an available obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) group of participants. Both GE Healthcare and EGI will benefit greatly from this research, as both companies want to be on the leading edge of imaging and psychophysiology.

Community Education for Economic and Social Justice: With Special Consideration of Covid-19 Impacts, Future of Work Trends, and Leadership Development for Systems Change

The research proposed for this project will support community education efforts of the iMOVe Arts Association to support the re-integration of racialized and marginalized people who have been incarceration into community, help youth at risk avoid incarceration, and development of leadership skills to enable systems change to reduce racism, over-representation of racialized people in incarceration, and inter-generational poverty while also considering the impacts of Covid-19, trends in future of work, and how to create more inclusive community-based economic development. The iMOVe (In My Own Voice) Arts Association has been doing work related to these topics for many years but has not had the capacity to document what they have been doing and learning or develop a more formal curriculum that could then be used to teach others about iMOVe’s approach to this work, diversify revenue for the organization, enhance its effectiveness, and enhance its ability to do this work long-term.

Signal processing of a highly miniaturised satellite-based spectrometer

Advancing an Intelligent Transportation Data Platform and Environmental Sensing to Promote Sustainable Cities

Transportation services, ranging from public buses to private logistics fleets, could benefit significant from the introduction of Rogers’ 5G wireless networks. This project has a primary objective to support UBC’s efforts to achieve its 2050 emissions reductions goals, with an emphasis on a reduction of GHG and air pollutant emissions from transportation services.

Assessing the Feasibility of a Sea Cucumber Fishery in Nunavut

Sea cucumber is part of the Inuit traditional diet in certain regions of the Canadian Arctic. Both sea cucumber and
closely related sea urchins are among the favourite foods in the Arctic. Currently, there is currently no commercial
fishery for sea cucumber or sea urchin anywhere in the Arctic, whereas harvests from the North Atlantic are
primarily exported to Asia as luxury seafood. The proposed project builds on the extensive experience of the
Mercier Lab on echinoderms, particularly sea cucumbers and on recent interest expressed by Indigenous Nunavut
communities to assess the value of their echinoderm resources (sea cucumbers and sea urchins).

Proteum Ethanol Process for Low Carbon Clean Hydrogen

Energy demand is expected to grow by more than 30% of current rates by 2040. As the era of relying on fossil fuels as the dominant source of energy is coming to an end, alternative sources like bio-ethanol are gaining momentum as a potential commercial feedstock due to its renewable nature and wide availability. The proposed research project will evaluate and optimize the ethanol reforming catalyst process that produces renewable hydrogen. Mitacs interns’ research will involve the testing of these catalysts to inform the maximization of their performance, which will feed into the techno-economic analysis of a demonstration-scale process utilizing the optimized ethanol reforming technology for the production of renewable hydrogen. This work strives to lay the groundwork for more detailed studies to developed highly active, stable, and selective catalysts to reform lower quality ethanol without the need for excessive pre-reforming treatment with the project’s industrial partner. This will eventually create a facility supplying Canada with clean, locally produced fuels.

Building the science behind the use of rapid and living systematic reviews for cardiovascular rehabilitation

Evidence summaries, combined results from different primary studies, are critical for the development of health policy and clinical practice guidelines. However, traditional systematic review methods tend to be long and expensive. Rapid reviews (RRs) and living systematic reviews (LSRs) have been created to address the need to support these limitations. Although these methods streamline the process to answer specific questions, there are still a number of unanswered questions around best methodologies, e.g., the search strategy or the primary studies selection approach (RRs) or the frequency of updates (LSRs). The aim of this internship is to: 1) evaluate, in the context of cardiovascular rehabilitation, which part of the Cochrane reviews portfolio needs to be prioritized for a LSR approachs; and 2) test different RR methods using existing Cochrane reviews. Ultimately, this work will lead to more efficient evidence synthesis methods, better quality decision making, and improved population health.

Life cycle assessment of different waste-tire desulfurization processes to determine the process with minimum environmental impacts

A massive volume of trash tires is generated globally, posing an environmental hazard. This dictates the development of effective technologies to recycle and utilize them. Tires are non-biodegradable, inert materials that are incredibly hard to treat. Various processes have been developed in recent years to process, treat, and use this kind of trash. However, the key challenge is about finding an appropriate, ecologically acceptable process for the sulfur removal of products (gaseous, liquid, and solid). Due to the high sulfur concentration of pyrolysis oil, which is a liquid product, it is not appropriate for direct use as fuel. Thus, prior to usage, desulfurization of pyrolytic tire oil is a critical step. While there are some technologies for sulfur removal, they rely on hydrogen, which is an energy and carbon-intensive chemical to produce. As a result, this project will address this issue by undertaking a complete lifecycle evaluation of alternative desulfurization procedures, particularly innovative microwave-assisted sulfur removal technologies, in order to establish an effective method with the fewest possible environmental implications.

Development, analysis and experimental testing of new pneumatic powertrains

This project aims to develop and analyze innovative pneumatic powertrain configurations for vehicular applications. It is intended to bring potential investors to Canada to this project and to collaborate with academic and partner organizations. Since the transportation sector is a significant contributor to Canada’s GHG emissions (25%), alternative solutions to conventional powertrain technologies carries significant importance to reach GHG target Canada promised under the Paris agreement. Interns involved in this research project will have a significant opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to the field and obtain excellent experience to further develop their abilities. The partner organization will utilize this research to expand its business and increase its competitive position. Furthermore, ecological challenges due to GHG emissions and potential solutions will be highlighted through this research project.

Suivis expérimentaux en hydrologie et sur les végétaux du watersquare Fleurs-de-Macadam à Montréal

Le watersquare Fleurs-de-Macadam, récemment construit à Montréal dans l’arrondissement du Plateau Mont-Royal, intègre plusieurs infrastructures visant à drainer les eaux pluviales ruisselant sur les rues adjacentes, dont une dépression minéralisée servant de place publique au centre et des zones de biorétention aux abords. Ces dernières sont des ouvrages consistant à utiliser le sol et les végétaux afin de retenir, traiter et infiltrer les eaux pluviales. Ce type d’aménagement fait partie des outils à la disposition des municipalités pour réduire et traiter les volumes d’eau de ruissellement tout en assurant d’autres services écologiques. Cependant, afin d’assurer ces bienfaits, il est nécessaire d’implanter adéquatement les végétaux et de vérifier la configuration technique prévue pour la gestion des eaux de ruissellement à accueillir et à traiter.

Psilocybin dosing and adult neurogenesis

Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound that alters states of consciousness to allow free imagination and insightful creativity. Its ability to induce complex behavioral and psychological changes has led to its resurgence in psychedelic-enhanced psychotherapy. Despite positive clinical efficacy from a
handful of trials, an optimal (or even variable) treatment paradigm has yet to be established. Here, in partnership with Zylorion, a psychedelics-based biopharmaceutical company, we will test different doses and treatment paradigms, to be followed by testing in mice major depression models and
eventual clinical validation in individuals suffering from mental health conditions.

Embodied and Operational Carbon Analysis of Retrofitted Ontario Residential Buildings

This project will study different residential building retrofit strategies commonly used in Ontario in terms of their environmental performance. In particular, it will try to understand the embodied and operation carbon emissions associated with those strategies. The aim of this project is to understand the effect of using different material and systems in retrofit projects. This understanding is important in order to complement governmental and private efforts in reducing the environmental impacts of buildings. The output of this research will include an academic paper that discusses the project and findings. Sustainable Buildings Canada (SBC) will benefit form this research as it will contribute to their efforts in adopting new strategies for building retrofits in Canada.