Innovative Projects Realized

Data Collection and Evaluation Support to Nova Scotia’s Collaborative Food Networks_Glace Bay Town House

Glace Bay Citizen’s Service League – Town House is addressing a critical issue that affects many communities: food insecurity. Although progress has been made through programs such as community meals, cooking classes, and a social supermarket, food insecurity is not only about access to food. It also relates to people’s dignity, health, and their sense of inclusion in the community. This evaluation project aims to better understand whether these programs are effectively addressing these broader needs. Are they reducing food insecurity in a meaningful way? Are they helping people feel more connected and respected?

The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the impact of Town House programs, identify areas for improvement, and provide recommendations for strengthening services over the long term. The project involves developing an evaluation plan, collecting and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data, engaging with program participants, and producing insights that are grounded in evidence.

This initiative builds on a previous evaluation conducted for the period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. That evaluation, completed in collaboration with Town House, found that regular monitoring data was limited, making it difficult to assess program outcomes fully. Since the province—through its Collaborative Food Network funding—requires not-for-profit organizations to conduct annual evaluations, there is a need to strengthen data systems.

The current project is a continuation of this effort. Over the next six months, the intern will support Town House in organizing and documenting monitoring data, helping to ensure that the next evaluation is more evidence-based and useful for decision-making. This work will improve the quality of evaluation findings and support the organization in better meeting the needs of the community.

Data Collection and Evaluation Support to Eskasoni Community Foodbank

Eskasoni Community Foodbank is addressing a critical issue that affects many communities: food insecurity. Through programs such as community meals, cooking classes, and a social supermarket, the organization has made important progress in helping people access nutritious food. However, food insecurity is about more than food access alone—it also touches on human dignity, health, and a sense of connection within the community.

This evaluation project builds on a similar evaluation previously conducted with the Eskasoni Community Foodbank and aims to take that work further. While the earlier evaluation provided valuable insights into program reach and impact, it also revealed the need for more consistent data collection and deeper analysis of how programs contribute to social inclusion and community well-being.

The current project will assess how effectively these programs are addressing both the practical and emotional dimensions of food insecurity. The intern will work with the organization to develop an evaluation plan, collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data, and engage with community members to capture their experiences. The goal is to generate evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations that will help the Foodbank enhance its programs and better serve the evolving needs of the community over the long term.

TRLUP – AI Tool for Structural Health Monitoring using Thermal Imaging

This project will create an AI-based tool that helps engineers detect hidden damage inside concrete structures—like bridges or buildings—using special thermal images. Right now, most damage is only found when it’s already serious, which can be costly and dangerous. This new tool uses heat patterns to find early signs of damage, making inspections faster, safer, and less expensive. The final product will be easy to use, even for people without technical backgrounds, and will help the partner organization prepare to bring this technology to the market.

Stochastic and Predictive Modeling to Optimize Stroke Care in Under-Resourced Health Systems

This project aims to develop computer models that can help improve how stroke care is delivered in hospitals with limited resources. By using data and predicting patient needs, we hope to design better ways to manage hospital staff, equipment, and patient care. The collaboration between Arizona State University and Dalhousie University will combine expertise in healthcare systems, data modeling, and real-world health challenges. This project will not only help improve stroke care in low-resource settings but also strengthen research ties and knowledge exchange between both institutions.

TRLUP – Seanetik

Seanetik est une startup québécoise issue du projet de fin de baccalauréat d’étudiants en génie mécanique et robotique à l’Université de Sherbooke. L’équipe mixte et multidisciplinaire développe une technologie innovante de nettoyage de coques de navires submergé, dans le but de réduire les émissions causées par l’accumulation de biosalissures, tout en assurant un contrôle sur la propagation des espèces invasives. Les biosalissures sont des algues et des petits mollusques qui agissent comme un frein permanent sur le bateau, augmentant la consommation de carburant et les émissions de GES en plus de favoriser la propagation d’espèces invasives.

La solution consiste en un service de nettoyage proactif clé en main rapide et fréquent, pour ne pas obstruer les opérations des armateurs, en collaborant avec des firmes de plongées partenaires pour opérer la technologie. Le prototype actuel a été testé en conditions réelles d’opérations avec le Port de Québec, Innovation maritime et des plongeurs professionnels, ce qui génère un fort engouement auprès des acteurs de l’industrie.

La mise en marché débutera sous des projets pilotes avec des armateurs au Québec pour dérisquer la technologie tout en batissant un modèle d’affaires périn. L’ambition du projet est d’atteindre le trafic maritime mondial en transitionnant dans des ports et eaux internationales où la problématique est encore plus notable.

Les retombées environnementales du projet Seanetik s’inscrivent directement dans les objectifs de décarbonation de l’indsutrie maritime et assurerons la pérénnité des eaux navigueables canadiennes. En soutenant Seanetik, V1 Studio encourage la relève entrepreneuriale étudiante fortement engagée au sein de l’industrie maritime, notamment en étant accompagnés d’experts du réseau des CCTT, tels qu’Innovation Maritime.

Processus inclusifs de dynamisation des coeurs de collectivités

Le projet cherche à étudier comment les projets de dynamisation des cœurs de collectivités (centre-ville, noyau villageois, cœur de quartier) peuvent favoriser l’inclusion et l’équité dans les cœurs de collectivités et engendrer des retombées positives pour l’ensemble de chaque milieu. Plus particulièrement, le projet se concentre sur les stratégies qui peuvent être employées pour lever les obstacles à la participation et pour s’assurer que la voix de l’ensemble des acteurs et actrices concerné-e-s par les processus de dynamisation soit entendue, avec une attention particulière pour les populations plus vulnérables.
Dans le cadre de son projet Collectivité inclusive, dynamisation agile, Rues principales souhaite renforcer ses propres capacités et celles des milieux qu’elle accompagne en matière de dynamisation inclusive des cœurs de collectivité. La recherche effectuée soutiendra directement les apprentissages et les expérimentations effectués au fur et à mesure par Rues principales et, ultimement, contribuera au renforcement des capacités en matière de dynamisation inclusive. L’accumulation de connaissance chez Rues Principales en matière d’équité territoriale peut par la suite nourrir les pratiques d’ensembles des acteurs qui transforment nos territoires. Une conférence aura lieu à l’Université Saint-Paul pour présenter les résultats de la recherche auprès de la communauté.

Étude pharmacodynamique d’une dose unique de tramadol par voie orale chez l’omble de fontaine.

Les poissons ressentent la douleur mais cette perception n’a été reconnue que très récemment. Pour cette raison, l’étude des traitements analgésiques en est encore à ses débuts chez les poissons. Pourtant, de nombreuses situations impliquent de la douleur chez ces espèces, comme des plaies traumatiques, des fractures, ou des chirurgies réalisées dans un contexte de recherche ou en institution zoologique sur des espèces protégées. L’objectif de ce projet est d’évaluer chez des truites les effets d’un médicament analgésique oral bien connu chez les animaux, le tramadol. Ce traitement opioïde est utilisé couramment chez les mammifères, les oiseaux ou encore les tortues et est très sécuritaire. Pour ce faire, un modèle expérimental d’étude de la douleur validé chez les poissons sera utilisé, afin d’évaluer et de distinguer les effets analgésique et sédatifs du médicament. Les effets adverses potentiels du tramadol seront également étudiés à l’aide de microémetteurs placés chirurgicalement dans l’abdomen des poissons. Les résultats de cette étude pourraient avoir un impact majeur pour la gestion de la douleur et le bien-être des poissons gardés en institution zoologique, en laboratoire, ou encore pour les poissons de compagnie.

Smart Bearing Development by Integrating FBG Sensors with Temperature Compensation

Rolling bearings are essential components in rotating machinery. The growing demand for real-time condition monitoring has led to the development of smart bearings integrated with advanced sensors. However, conventional sensing technologies often suffer from limited sensitivity, a lack of temperature compensation, and installation difficulties. Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors offer a promising alternative, featuring high sensitivity, electromagnetic immunity, and multiplexing capabilities. However, a key challenge that remains insufficiently addressed is the accurate decoupling of mechanical strain and thermally induced strain caused by the temperature variation in dynamic environments.
This research aims to develop a dynamic temperature compensation method to enhance the performance of FBG-based smart bearings. The objectives are twofold: to improve load measurement accuracy and to enable early fault detection and severity assessment under varying temperature conditions.
The project is a collaboration between researchers at the University of Manitoba (Canada) and the University of New South Wales (Australia), bringing together expertise in sensing technology, bearing modeling, wear analysis, and tribology. By advancing FBG-based contact force measurement and condition monitoring with temperature compensation, this work seeks to enhance the reliability and practicality of smart bearings for real-time condition monitoring in industrial applications.

Grenadier Pond Turtle Population Survey

Grenadier Pond in High Park, Toronto, is home to several turtle species, some of which are at risk due to habitat degradation, pollution and human interference. However, there is a lack of data on the pond’s turtle population, including species diversity, population size and nesting habits. We will conduct a population survey to establish baseline data that will guide conservation efforts, improve habitat management and support the protection of these highly endangered species.

Novel Vector Potentiators for AAV-mediated Surfactant B Deficiency correction

Surfactant Protein B (SPB) deficiency is a rare genetic disease where surfactant B is not produced in the lung, proper breathing fails and lungs collapse. The disease usually presents early in life, and unless lung transplantation is performed, no other approaches have provided long-term cure. Yet, lung transplantation is not an ideal approach either, as matching donors are limited, and the procedure is extremely invasive for a baby.
Gene therapy can be an alternative as it has been very successful in animal models. The approach consists of delivering the correct SPB gene into lung cells using an adeno-associated viral vector. This virus has shown to be very efficient at infecting lung cells without causing secondary effects. However, it requires to be dosed in high quantities, which could still have risks. In this project, we are aiming to use small molecules (termed VEPOs) developed by Virano Therapeutics that help the virus infect cells more easily, hence reducing the dose and making the therapy safer.
This project will help Virano Therapeutics advance its gene therapy program, exploring how VEPOs can overcome the challenges of this gene therapy, and potentially more. This will also help establish future partnerships, and pave ways to commercialization.

Le marché de la défense dans la région de Sherbrooke

Ce projet vise à mieux comprendre comment la région de Sherbrooke peut profiter de l’augmentation substantielle des dépenses militaires prévues au Canada. Concrètement, la stagiaire analysera les entreprises et les technologies déjà présentes à Sherbrooke pour voir si et comment elles peuvent participer au marché en pleine effervescence de la défense, par exemple dans les domaines de la cybersécurité, des matériaux avancés ou des équipements spécialisés. En rencontrant des entrepreneurs, des organismes de développement économique et des experts, elle dressera un portrait clair des forces et du potentiel de la région. Ce travail permettra à la Ville de Sherbrooke d’identifier des occasions concrètes de développement économique, de favoriser la création d’emplois de qualité et d’aider les entreprises locales à accéder à de nouveaux marchés. À terme, le projet contribuera à positionner Sherbrooke comme un pôle d’innovation dans un secteur stratégique et porteur pour l’avenir.

Mapping Cumulative Effects and Landscape Change in the Crowsnest Watershed

This research project will identify and quantify the cumulative impacts of human development and land use in Alberta’s Crowsnest Watershed using satellite imagery collected over time and geospatial change detection techniques. By analyzing how the landscape has changed over time as a result of human use, and incorporating relevant local and community-sourced data, the study will help to highlight areas of concern and to inform regional land use planning. Conducted in partnership with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Southern Alberta Chapter, the project addresses CPAWS’ need for accessible, spatially-informed assessments of cumulative effects in the region. The project outcomes will include report(s) to enable replication of the project in other areas, as well as public-facing maps and communication tools designed to support CPAWS’s outreach, policy advocacy, and conservation work across the eastern slopes region.