Innovative Projects Realized

Identifying and classifying patient-uploaded image quality for teledermatology practices

This project focuses on the development of an automated system to detect images consisting of skin moles. The detection of images consisting of moles will play a central role in dermatology screening using telemedical and virtual healthcare platforms. Upon classification, images consisting of moles will be sent to specialists for further diagnosis and treatment procedures. To achieve the proposed objective, this project will utilize the recent developments in image processing, computer vision, machine learning, and artificial intelligence techniques. The proposed project will be undertaken by an MSc student who will develop image processing approaches to enhance the image quality before proceeding with the development of the feature extraction approach. Once the salient features are extracted from the images, the intern will develop a machine learning approach to automatically detect and classify images consisting of skin moles. This project will be undertaken in collaboration with ORO Health Inc.

Assessing urban parks design and its influence on natural systems health

Ensuring biodiversity is maintained as Edmonton continues to grow is vital in maintaining Regional connectivity and ensuring long term sustainability of the City’s natural systems and the ecosystem services that it provides to Edmonton’s residents. The goal of this project is to identify public open space site characteristics that are associated with increased (or decreased) wildlife visitation and species richness observations. This project will assist the City in assessing the health and sustainability of Edmonton’s natural systems by using biodiversity of wildlife species as a “barometer” of ecosystem health. Results will be used to inform future recommendations on urban open space parks design and support the implementation work of Breathe: Edmonton’s Green Network Strategy.

An Integrated Approach using Process Models and Business Analytics for Efficient Delivery of Patient Care

The use of business process modeling (BPM) and analytics has demonstrated exceptional results in improving efficiency and effectiveness in various industries. Health care processes however, are characterized by uncertain, exception and continual evolution. This project aims to apply flexible, adaptive and evolutionary process modeling protocols coupled with operations research and other analytic methods to the health care environment. The overall goal is to develop an application framework that consists of specific BPM methods, a reference architecture for different technologies that might be used in different health care environments to support BPM, and a slate of analytic models that enable better insight into process improvement. The partner organization benefits through the exploration of different ways of applying its technologies, and the interaction that emerges between interns, healthcare professionals, and representatives from the partner organization.

Tutor Teach Inc: Creation and optimization of standard operating procedures

Tutor Teach launched in July 2020, as a way to teach French to children during the thick of the Covid19 pandemic. Since launching, Tutor Teach has seen tremendous growth. With over 100 certified instructors on the team, Tutor Teach offers quality and affordable academic tutoring for pre-K to post-secondary students in all subjects, in addition to music and extra-curricular programs. Tutor Teach features in-person and online services, with a client and instructor base across North America. Our goal is to fill the ever-present learning gaps that are impacting students’ ability to thrive and feel confident in the classroom. Tutor Teach is seeking to engage a NAIT business intern for a 12-month period and a DMIT intern for an 8-month period.

The two successful candidates will innovate and research strategies and methodologies, together and autonomously, to streamline and automate Tutor Teach’s internal and external systems and processes. This will be accomplished via the expansion of operations through robust marketing strategies, accounting support, and innovation of tools to increase customer and contractor relationship management.

Preventive maintenance optimization in Cryopak company process line

This project aims to determine and suggest how often equipment inspections should be conducted to minimize equipment downtime. A calculation will be made to determine the optimal amount of inventory and spare parts for equipment maintenance under the shadow of preventive maintenance. This project also involves determining the duration and probability of maintenance and inspections. As a result, the company will have fewer process shutdowns or faults, and a more continuous process line will be available.

Building Cultural Sustainability: An Applied Research Model

Financial constraints are a significant barrier to sustainable practices within Canada’s cultural sector and especially within the performing arts. This situation has been exacerbated by COVID, with significant hits to economic impact and employment observed at the municipal level. In addition, physical space, digital fluency and access to technology are primary concerns for small/medium organizations. Higher Education Institutions have these features and technologies, and use them for applied education, academic conferences and hosting events. Greater collaboration between municipalities, small/medium-sized cultural organizations and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) would bring significant benefits to all three groups, while also generating sustainable financial and cultural practices. Making these spaces, technical resources, and expertise available to smaller cultural organizations will alleviate financial and programming pressures and create significant educational and cultural benefits. Access to space can be leveraged by HEIs to create work-integrated learning opportunities and field-placements for students. Smaller performing arts organizations can further build upon these connections to develop the technical skills required in a post-pandemic environment. By harnessing the expertise, skills and equipment available at HEIs, organizations can develop methods to take their programming beyond the local community and into the national or international arena.

BSI Dieppe City of Toronto Proposal 2022

The purpose of this project is to commemorate Torontonians who died at the Battle of Dieppe in World War II. The intern will be researching the names of 129 people from Toronto who died on a single day at Dieppe. Information about these individuals, who they were, their families, their life prior to and during the war will then be consolidated for a commemoration event to be held this summer on the 80th anniversary of Dieppe.

Evaluation of a Li selective sorbent durability at lab pilot scale

Recion 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 scale up and pilot the process in the field, the durability of the sorbent needs to be investigated using Recion’s benchtop and lab pilot units.

Commercialization of Novel Wellness Innovation

The overall objective for the internship of the student in the Finance and Accounting program is to learn to execute important processes of fundraising for technology companies. This work will be helping to address the financial and further influential needs, to help excel the solutions and opportunities provided by the Invitalize company. The Invitalize company provides health-enhancing wellness solutions. Specifically, nLightN products rehabilitate health for patients suffering from chronic illnesses caused by degenerative diseases (DD). The value proposition of invitalize to health & wellness clinics offers better clinical productivity, better treatment efficacy for patients, and reduce the costs burden of health care for public health providers.

Physical and Cognitive Performance Impairment of Cannabis Consumption in Adults Over Time

After legalisation, cannabis use has become more widespread, and consumption has increased in Canada. There is a need for more insight into the extent of impairment caused by cannabis in adults. The goal of this proposed research project is to determine the degree of impairment in adults after cannabis ingestion. We will study the effect of cannabis and its impairment in adults aged 19 to 65 years old over the course of 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 7 days. We will recruit individuals for the study and administer various approved tests to determine the degree of cannabis’ impairment.

Système d’aide à la décision pour guider les interventions dans les pays en voie de développement

Le projet vise à développer un système d’aide à la décision (SAD) issu de l’informatique décisionnelle pour stocker, analyser et communiquer les informations socio-économiques et sanitaires.

Building a leading Paralympic Organization: Strategic Renewal at the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

The Canadian Paralympic Committee’s vision is to be the world’s leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian high-performance athletes with a disability and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. Central to the CPC’s pursuit of becoming the world’s leading Paralympic nation, is the consistent evaluation of its operations to ensure they are incorporating best practices throughout their business. There is little consensus as to the best methods sport organizations should employ to leverage commercial touchpoints (i.e., communications, partnerships, philanthropy) points for innovation. This project will focus on working with CPC to complete two tasks simultaneously – first to undertake a comprehensive review of the performance of the organization’s operations to identify specific areas or practices that require improvement and second to undertake an environmental scan of a variety of industries (i.e., business, sport, technology, hospitality) best practices and emerging trends. The results of these two tasks will be used to assist the CPC in identifying practices to adopt to improve current and long-term strategic performance. Overall, this internal strategic review and the identification and evaluation of best practices are critical to ensuring CPC realizes its strategic goal becoming the world’s leading Paralympic nation.