Innovative Projects Realized

How to Start a (Brain Imaging) Revolution: Developing Cubresa’s Technical, Clinical, and Marketing Strategy to Launch the BrainPET Scanner

Cubresa is building the BrainPET, the world’s first commercial brain-dedicated positron emission tomography (PET) insert for a magnetic resonance imager (MRI). The BrainPET will give doctors and scientists a powerful tool to visualize the human brain with near-unparalleled resolution and sensitivity, providing a clear picture of the interconnectedness of structure/function in this complex organ. This is key to understanding the dynamics of neurological disease and in turn, developing effective treatments for conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s and brain cancer to psychiatric illnesses like depression.

?We will engage 3 interns over 4 months to address BrainPET positioning. In performing technological, clinical, competitive, and primary/secondary market analyses, our interns will help Cubresa assess the clinical research medical imaging environment and identify the ideal target client and the BrainPET’s ‘killer apps’ – those applications for which the BrainPET is ideally suited. This is critical for Cubresa to craft the perfect message and launch the BrainPET successfully into a captive market. From an outbound perspective, engaging with user groups through social media channels will help us ensure that Cubresa is sending a clear message about what the BrainPET is, what it can do, and how its introduction will transform the brain imaging landscape.

Advancing a novel therapeutic for the prevention of hypoglycemia in rodent models of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and in phase 1 and 2 human clinical trials for type 1 diabetes

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is a phenomenon that results from excess insulin or strenuous exercise in diabetic patients. If untreated, this can quickly lead to dizziness, seizures and even death. In healthy individuals, the body is able to compensate for these fluctuations and restore blood sugars to normal levels by lowering insulin and raising glucagon. In those with diabetes, they are unable to do this and struggle with hypoglycemia. The research studies outlined in this proposal addresses this urgent struggle by utilizing the individual’s own capacity to produce glucagon- a hormone instrumental in increasing blood sugar, thereby elevating blood sugar levels to prevent hypoglycemia. Our proposed research aims to provide a viable solution to hypoglycemia prevention and thus improve existing standard of care options available

Approche innovante pour les grands utilisateurs de service d’écoute téléphonique

Cette étude vise à dresser le portrait sociodémographique et de santé des appelants qui entrent en contact de façon récurrente avec les Centres d’écoute téléphonique et les stratégies et interventions employées par ces centres pour limiter la fréquence de cette utilisation. Dans le cadre de cette étude quatre catégories de répondants donneront leur point de vue : les appelants, considérés comme des grands utilisateurs de service, les écoutants, les directeurs de Centre d’écoute téléphonique et les coordonnateurs des services et des bénévoles.

Jyasi Daniel- Assistant Manager, Strategic Partnerships- REEcycle Inc. Coop

IMPORTANT: The company changed its name from REEcycle Inc. to Cyclic Materials on Friday February 11th, 2022. There have been no other changes to the project as it pertains to the intern for the next 8 months.
The attached file is an application for the funding of 2 x 4 month internships opportunities at the same company, REEcycle Inc., based in Kingston, ON. The project will last from February to September 2022. This project will heavily entail market research in the recycling of rare earth elements.

Stephenville Theatre Festival – Business Management Internship

The Stephenville Theatre Festival will engage a the business student who will aid our organization pivot post-covid by enhancing and refining our online presence through the development and execution of a digital marketing strategy. The internship would include but not be limited to assessing our current digital presence; managing and expanding the organization’s social media presence; updating, and improving upon the organization’s branding, and developing innovative ways to reach our audience and promote our theatrical activities. The intern will work alongside our Artistic Director and report directly to our General Manager, gaining valuable professional experience in arts administration and marketing. This internship will be mutually beneficial as our arts organization would benefit greatly from having a business minded individual as a part of our team, and the selected intern has identified a keen interest in applying business skills in a creative setting such as our performing arts company.

A User-Informed Approach to Archaeological Mapping Software

The interns will support the development and testing of an archaeological field notes tool called STRATUM. This tool will allow all notes and documentation, usually collected in note books or various handheld devices, to be collected on one digital device like a tablet or phone. The tool development will be guided by the results of three studies: 1) analysis of user needs and sources of stress; 2) testing and iterative development of a field-ready version prior to commercialization; and 3) a qualitative study evaluating Indigenous needs of, and opinions about, STRATUM and archaeology more generally. We will use the results of these studies to build an evidence-based, data-driven commercialized version of STRATUM that meets the needs of archaeologists in regard to their field work, Indigenous rights-holders in regard to their heritage, and archaeological regulators in regard to how data is collected and curated.

Drug side effects studies for Canadian context using deep learning principles

Adverse Drug Reactions, ADR, is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada. Yet, in Canada the systems that prevent occurrence of the ADRs are limited or non-existent, therefore, there is a pressing need to create a pharmacovigilance system that will reduce the number of ADR cases and deaths in Canada.

Ai Quest Inc, a Canadian start up, is proposing a system that will address the issue of ADR cases and deaths, contributing to the emerging field of drug safety in Canada. Ai Quest Inc. provides customized business solutions in the area of big data, data engineering, and cloud computing, and developing products for commercial use.

The Ai Quest Inc. team has both technical and functional knowledge related to this project. The project also requires computational infrastructure and a talent pool of young professionals and experienced researchers. George Brown’s School of Computer Technology stands apart when it comes to imparting a cutting-edge education and research capacity. George Brown College will lead and manage the research project as well as complete the project tasks with the support of Ai Quest Inc.

Research, analysis, and development of global medical device regulatory affairs strategic plan

Circle Neurovascular Imaging (CNVI) aims to improve the standard of care for stroke patients by providing physicians critical information assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) through their innovative software platform, StrokeSENS, which is designed to aid the clinician in making quicker, more accurate decisions about patient management. StrokeSENS, has partial clinical approval in the EU and USA (FDA), and is currently under review by Health Canada. In this key go-to-market and globalization phase, CNVI will benefit from the proposed internship activities in support of strengthening CNVI’s regulatory approval process and optimizing the globalization strategy. The intern, working closely with the companies medical and regulatory affairs departments, will aid and support the company in the research, planning, execution, and documentation of key regulatory requirements including optimizing internal quality systems reporting, preparation of regulatory applications, and strategic analysis of new jurisdictional requirements.

Studying the biodegradability of eco-friendly straws in prospective disposal environments

The existing use of plastics is overwhelming, but unfortunately, non-biodegradable plastic is majorly used, which results in waste accumulation and danger to marine life. Efforts are being made to produce biodegradable plastic products, such that it degrades substantially after disposal and does not hurt our environment. However, there are many biodegradable plastics, with variable biodegradation and in-use performance, and hence the degree of advantage over conventional plastics remains questionable in the mind of consumers. The partner organization is producing packaging/utensil products by using agave bio-waste material, contributing to the elimination of single-use plastic and to the re-use the agave waste. The intern will be conducting research to investigate the biodegradability of agave-based straws, using novel tracer methods and under conditions that simulate disposal
of the straws in compost piles, soils and the oceans. This research will improve our understanding of the fate mechanism of eco-friendly products upon disposal.

Development of a novel glass micro-positioning Atomic Force Microscopy stage based on compliant mechanisms.

Le projet proposé consiste à caractériser la réponse statique ainsi que la réponse dynamique d’un nouveau dispositif de micro-positionnement de haute précision compliant en verre. Il s’agit d’un nouveau type de platine de micro-positionnement permettant la translation de la partie centrale sur deux axes indépendants, soient X et Y à l’aide d’actionneurs piézoélectriques. La nouveauté de ce concept est que le cadre de la platine est fabriqué en verre. La caractérisation de ce nouveau dispositif permettra de recaler le modèle de simulation par la méthode des éléments finis (MEF) qui à été développé lors de sa conception. Ayant un modèle de simulation par la MEF recalé, il sera possible d’optimiser le concept et d’explorer plus de pistes de conception en se fiant uniquement à des simulations, tout en ayant un bon niveau de confiance dans l’exactitude des résultats obtenus. Pour y parvenir, l’étudiant devra d’abord réaliser les différents montages expérimentaux qui seront nécessaires pour la collecte des données en utilisant l’équipement disponible au laboratoire du Prof. Brousseau (Cardiff University). Ensuite, les données recueillies devront être compilées et analysées afin de tirer des conclusions.

quantum simulations* – Développement stratégique et marketing

Quantum Simulations (QS) va accueillir Melle Léa Lotey-Goodman dans ses locaux au 4200 Bvd Saint-Laurent, suite 685.

Le poste est un poste de communications et marketing. Il s’agira de développer une nouvelle politique de communications et de marketing pour QS.

Dans le contexte du double objectif de développement technologique et marketing en 2022, de nouveaux développements seront nécessaires.

Pendant la période de présence de la stagiaire, il y aura plusieurs étapes.

La première étape consistera en un audit des outils actuels de communications et de marketing. L’objectif est en priorité de déterminer les catégories de clientèle. Basé sur cet audit, il s’agira ensuite de proposer une priorisation de la clientèle. Il sera important de faire le choix des cibles à prioriser en fonction du potentiel de retour sur investissement. Dans ce contexte, il s’agira de proposer de nouvelles stratégies de marketing.

Il s’agira ensuite de développer de nouveaux outils de communications en accord avec la nouvelle stratégie marketing. Le site Internet de la compagnie, le site de vente des jeux en ligne et le portail de gestion seront à évaluer et à modifier.

Il s’agira également de valoriser dans le cadre de la nouvelle politique de communications toutes les innovations de 2022. Des outils de communication, de développement de la clientèle et de rétention de la clientèle seront mis en place et utilisés. Des mesures basées sur l’apprentissage automatique et l’intelligence artificielle au sens large seront utilisées.

Evaluation of a Li selective sorbent durability at benchtop scale

Recion Technologies, Inc. has developed a sustainable process to extract Li from various Li-bearing brines including oilfield brines found in Alberta and produce lithium products for use in lithium-ion batteries. The Li extraction involves an ion exchange step through which Li ions are selectively separated by a sorbent proprietary to Recion. To scaleup and pilot the process in the field, the durability of the sorbent needs to be investigated using Recion’s benchtop unit and eventually its lab pilot. Under the supervision of the CTO, the intern is expected to run Li extraction on various brines at bench scale and desorb the captured Li into a solution which will be analyzed later by the intern for determining the efficiency of the process.