Innovative Projects Realized

Designing and Testing 3D AI Assistants in Virtual Reality for STEM Education: An International Research Internship Linking Human–Computer Interaction and XR Innovation at Algoma University and the University of Colima

This project will host a senior undergraduate student from the University of Colima, Mexico, for a 12-week research internship at Algoma University in Canada. The student will collaborate with professors and local students to design, develop, and test 3D virtual assistants for Virtual Reality (VR) environments that support the teaching of STEM subjects. Acting as digital guides or tutors, these assistants will help students grasp complex concepts in immersive, interactive ways. By combining VR, which creates realistic digital environments, with Artificial Intelligence (AI), which enables natural and adaptive interactions, the project will advance new approaches to classroom and laboratory learning, making STEM education more engaging, accessible, and effective.

For Algoma University, the internship supports its new XR specialization and Master’s programs, producing practical outputs such as VR prototypes and lab instructions that can be integrated into courses. Local students will benefit from peer collaboration and cross-cultural exchange. For the University of Colima, the project provides hands-on training with advanced XR equipment and strengthens ties between its Human–Computer Interaction Lab and Algoma’s research network. Both institutions will gain international visibility and lay the foundation for future collaboration in innovative educational technologies.

Effets des entraînements aérobie, de résistance et cognitif sur les fonctions neurocognitives chez des patients atteints d’insuffisance cardiaque (IC)

Le projet de recherche proposé vise à étudier comment l’exercice physique et l’entraînement cognitif peuvent améliorer la santé du cerveau et la condition physique des personnes vivant avec une insuffisance cardiaque. La stagiaire participera à l’évaluation des capacités cardiorespiratoires, à la collecte et à l’analyse de données d’imagerie cérébrale non invasive (Doppler transcrânien et NIRS fonctionnelle) et à l’accompagnement des programmes d’entraînement des patients. Le projet permettra de mieux comprendre le lien entre la fonction cardiaque, la perfusion cérébrale et la cognition, ainsi que d’identifier d’éventuelles différences entre les femmes et les hommes dans la réponse à ces interventions. Les résultats pourraient contribuer à développer des programmes de réadaptation personnalisés, améliorer la qualité de vie des patients et fournir des outils scientifiques utiles pour la prévention du déclin cognitif chez les personnes atteintes d’insuffisance cardiaque.

Design and Application of Cu(I) Quaterpyridines in Hydrogen Evolution Reactions

This project is a joint effort between Canadian and German research teams, combining the host supervisor’s knowledge of Ru-based polypyridine complexes and hydrogen evolution reactions with the home supervisor’s specialism in Cu(I) coordination chemistry. The partnership encourages the exchange of ideas and techniques, strengthening international networks and making progress in artificial photosynthesis.

Vieillissement cognitivo-moteur et insuffisance cardiaque : étude du patron locomoteur en simple et double tâche et effets d’un programme combiné d’exercice et d’entraînement cognitif

L’allongement de l’espérance de vie s’accompagne d’un vieillissement croissant de la population, accentuant la pression sur les systèmes de santé par la perte d’autonomie et la diminution des capacités fonctionnelles. Ces limitations sont aggravées par les maladies chroniques, notamment cardiovasculaires. Parmi elles, l’insuffisance cardiaque, caractérisée par une réduction de la capacité du cœur à pomper le sang, accélère le déclin locomoteur et cognitif lié à l’âge, rendant sa prise en charge prioritaire.
Malgré les progrès en réadaptation cardiaque, les troubles moteurs et cognitifs associés à cette pathologie restent encore mal compris, et les effets précis des programmes de réentraînement demeurent peu documentés.
Ce projet a pour but de caractériser les troubles locomoteurs liés au vieillissement des fonctions motrices et cognitives chez les patients insuffisants cardiaques. Ainsi que d’évaluer les effets d’un programme combiné d’exercice et d’entraînement cognitif sur ces différents paramètres.
Réalisé sur 15 semaines au Centre ÉPIC de l’Institut de cardiologie de Montréal, ce stage offrira une immersion au sein d’une équipe de recherche spécialisée en médecine préventive. Le stagiaire participera aux évaluations physiques et cognitives et à l’analyse des données, tout en développant ses compétences scientifiques et pratiques dans un environnement de recherche d’excellence.

Traitement des scholies au Bellum Civile de Lucain

Le projet vise à étudier et mieux comprendre des commentaires anciens appelés scholies qui expliquent le poème latin La Guerre civile de Lucain. Ces scholies étaient utilisés dans les écoles de l’Antiquité pour enseigner la langue et l’histoire romaine. Le stagiaire recueillera ces textes, les analysera et les classera pour voir comment ils transmettaient le savoir. Il travaillera avec des spécialistes en France et utilisera des outils numériques pour rendre ces documents accessibles en ligne. Ce projet permettra de préserver un patrimoine important et de le partager plus largement, tout en formant le stagiaire à des méthodes modernes d’étude et de diffusion des textes anciens.

Synthesis and testing of co-polymer impregnators for improved plastination of flax fibers

Flax fibers and their composites are known for their mechanical properties comparable to many petroleumbased composites, such as high strength-to-weight ratios, while offering major sustainability advantages as bioderived and renewable materials. However, the natural fibers’ susceptibility to moisture uptake and degradation currently limits their use in many structural applications. Plastination presents a promising approach to impregnate and preserve these fibers against weathering, but their inherently hydrophilic nature makes this process challenging when using conventional polymer impregnation methods. This project aims to develop a novel polymer system with enhanced impregnation performance for flax fibers, enabling their use in industrial composite products such as vacuum infusion processed (VIP) panels for structural outdoor applications.

Les valeurs que les jeunes accordent au tourisme durable

En 2024, le nombre de voyages internationaux est revenu au même niveau qu’avant la pandémie, soit plus de 1,4 milliard de voyageurs. Au Québec, les touristes sont également présents malgré les contraintes économiques et sociales. Pensons à l’inflation ou à la crise du logement. Jeunes et moins jeunes se déplacent afin de découvrir le monde sur fond de défis environnementaux et de réchauffement climatique. Si l’industrie du voyage a développé des produits touristiques pour tous les segments de marché, force est de constater que le voyage représente une part non négligeable du budget. Pour les jeunes adultes, la proportion du budget à consacrer au voyage peut sembler à première vue fort importante, voir, impossible, mais l’on observe que malgré cette situation, le voyage représente une valeur marquante et un produit de consommation incontournable.

Women-Centred HIV Care Curriculum

This project aims to create and deliver an online curriculum which will teach clinicians about the Women-Centred HIV Care (WCHC) Model while help ensure clinicians provide more equitable, trauma-informed, gender-responsive, person-centred care to women and gender-diverse people living with HIV. Women and gender-diverse people living with HIV often face barriers such as stigma, discrimination, or gender-based violence, which can negatively impact their health outcomes and experiences within the healthcare system. Many clinicians do not receive formal training in recognizing or responding to these intersecting challenges. This project will close this gap by translating the WCHC Model into a series of 15-20 interactive, practical and accessible online e-learning modules that can be used in medical and nursing education. Each module will be approximately 10-15 minutes in length and present a different aspect of a woman living with HIV navigating care related to HIV. All the content will be rooted in the WCHC model and cover various topics, including trauma and violence-aware care, person-centred care, HIV care, sexual health, parenting planning, contraceptive use, menopause and menstruation, mental health, substance use, cultural responsiveness, trans and gender-diverse community sensitivity and care and peer support. By the end of the project, an online curriculum will be developed and rolled out to 50 clinicians and trainees. For Women’s College Hospital, this project will expand the reach and impact of its Women and HIV Research Program by transforming its research findings into a sustainable educational tool. The resulting curriculum will enhance training capacity and contribute to reducing health inequities for women and gender-diverse people living with HIV in Canada.

Recherche expérimentale sur la durabilité des systèmes électromécaniques pour outils à impact répété : cas d’un arrache-bardeaux motorisé

Recherche expérimentale sur la durabilité des systèmes électromécaniques pour outils à impact répété : cas d’un arrache-bardeaux motorisé

Sexual health education needs of youth and educators in the Yukon

Research findings demonstrate that comprehensive sexual health education (CSHE) can reduce negative health outcomes and increase positive health outcomes. In order to be effective, CSHE must address the unique cultural, geographic, and social needs of youth. There are currently no studies that explore youth or educator sexual health education needs within the Yukon territory. SIECCAN is partnering with the Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre to identify youths’ sexual health education needs and educator barriers to administering sex education in the Yukon. The first half of the study involves conducting five focus group sessions with Yukon youth to understand their sexual health needs and experiences. Having support from Mitacs would enable SIECCAN to employ a MITACS intern and provide additional personnel to the project team, as a lack of personnel has been identified as a barrier to completing the project on time by SIECCAN. Specifically, a MITACS intern with a specialized background in sexual health education will ensure that the timeline for tasks associated with transcription and thematic analysis associated with the focus group data will be completed on time.

Business and Financial Process Support for Deacon Investments Ltd.

Deacon Investments Ltd. is a Newfoundland-based private equity firm engaged in a variety of business ventures. This project will focus on designing and piloting a standardized reporting and communication toolkit to improve consistency and efficiency across its businesses. The intern will help map current practices, design templates and workflows, and test the toolkit with selected business areas. These contributions will provide Deacon with new tools to strengthen efficiency, investor communications, and long-term portfolio growth, while giving the intern valuable hands-on experience in business operations and strategy.

Developing a centralized SQL-based data management system to modernize portfolio and risk management operations

Cortland Credit is a rapidly growing alternative investment manager specializing in private debt and public bond portfolios. Five years ago, the firm operated with fewer than 15 employees; today, the team has expanded to over 30 professionals. With this growth, the firm’s existing data management system – based primarily on Excel and CSV files stored on Microsoft SharePoint – has become increasingly inadequate for supporting portfolio and risk management operations. Cortland Credit plans to modernize its infrastructure by developing a centralized SQL-based data management system. This database will consolidate and standardize datasets, enforce consistent update processes, and provide structured permission controls across teams. Once implemented, this system will serve as the backbone of a Portfolio Management Platform that integrates portfolio analytics, risk management tools, and performance monitoring into a unified framework. A central component of this initiative is the development of a private debt pricing model that leverages the SQL-based platform. Unlike public bond markets, private loan markets currently lack standardized and widely adopted pricing methodologies. As a result, private debt valuations are often less transparent and less consistent across the industry. Cortland Credit, as one of Canada’s leading private debt managers, is uniquely positioned to address this gap by drawing on its extensive proprietary data and institutional expertise. The proposed model will be innovative in two key ways: 1. It will integrate real-time, multi-source datasets across origination, credit, and portfolio management teams, ensuring that valuations automatically update as new information becomes available. 2. It will establish a robust, market-based framework for private loan pricing, improving transparency and reliability in an area where only limited models currently exist. This innovation has the potential to benefit not only Cortland Credit but also the broader Canadian private debt industry by advancing best practices in credit valuation and portfolio risk assessment.