Innovative Projects Realized

Virtual Agent Emotion Modeling for Interactive Human Training Bots

Computer Generated Solutions (CGS) is developing a chatbot to train health-related customer support human
agents. In this research, an intelligent sentiment-based chat bot is to be modeled and designed to act as a client
to train the client-facing representatives who would be able to help clients more effectively. The main objectives
of this internship are to (1) conduct literature review on virtual agents emotion modeling (2) design a novel
framework and emotion model using fuzzy systems, (3) to design and develop a trainer bot using language
understanding and emotional modeling, (4) to integrate the solution with the current CGS virtual agent avatar and
(5) to document the process and develop manuals for non technical experts in CGS to design intelligent bots.
Research outcomes of these studies provides the community with a systemic comparison of different ways that a
virtual agent could perceive and express emotions to act more naturally in a training setting.

Fire resistance behavior of FRP reinforced concrete slabs

Pultrall produces FRP bars for several applications in the construction industry. Although the
advantage of using advanced materials in civil engineering is outstanding, the company
needs more information regarding the performance of its product in fire. Material tests will be
conducted on FRP bars at high temperature and full-scale fire tests on FRP reinforced
concrete slabs will be conducted. Results of the research will improve the procedure of
designing and constructing FRP reinforced structures.

Co-op Marketing Intern

Prostar faces project postponements and a temporary lull in business. As Prostar shifts marketing strategies from pre to post Covid, the intern would assist in overcoming interrupted growth plans and help modify advertising practices. The intern would focus on working with new CRM software, updating the websites, and practicing continual improvement of customer service practices. The intern would also be responsible for market research into the construction/trades industry and how it has been affected by the pandemic. The intern will also manage Prostar’s social media and complete tasks as needed.

Marketing Assistant

Reliance Foundry is a company that specializes in quality outdoor products and metal casting. Because it is an online-based business, the marketing department plays a large role in the growth and sales of the company. During my internship, I will take part in conducting various marketing research as well as working on different marketing campaigns.

Market Research and Operations Intern

CassaV Foods Corp is a social business developing food products derived from cassava that are healthy, rich in fiber, and gluten-free while also making an impact on vulnerable communities. COVID-19 has affected and delayed our launch plans as sampling of food products and retailing has stopped.

This internship would research the market, analyze and compare scenarios/costs of the supply chain which will help uncertainties/unknowns and get our company close to launching. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to make much progress during 2020 or may try to launch and incur losses due to a lack of knowledge from the market and supply chain.

The Market Research and Operations Intern will be responsible for conducting a thorough market analysis of the healthy snacks market and the cassava food production supply chain.
1. Conduct Industry and Market Research:
a. Market Sizing and Potential
b. Competitive Analysis
c. Explore consumer preferences and habits through a survey and interviews

2. Sourcing/Logistic Research:
a. Research the cassava supply chain including potential suppliers and costs
b. Conduct cost/benefit analysis of supply chain alternatives
c. Make go to market strategy and sourcing (raw materials, packaging) recommendations

Financial Analyst

Our startup is a Seed Stage agtech company that produces smart indoor gardens and fully seeded, nutrient-loaded pod packs.
1) Implement, run, track and troubleshoot our B2C delivery
2) Compare and decide on the most optimal shipping rates and methods
3) Apply a data-centric approach to evaluate and set comprehensive goals for performance and growth
4) Upkeep financial cash flow forecasts to meet company goals
5) Assist in fundraising & grant applications and reporting
6) Identify issues and implement solutions to increase organizational effectiveness, systems, and processes
7) Support work with Operations Coordinator & CEO
8) Create and send out monthly reports to Operations Coordinator & CEO

Strategic Initiatives

The intern would be key to help us develop a plan to reach more students by tutoring online worldwide and diversify our offerings by adding more exams to our portfolio, enabling us to grow despite the downturn in the industry, by gaining more market share.
As we move to the implementation phase of our 2-year growth plan, we need an intern to conduct market research, data analysis and documentation for management. This will help us confirm we have a compelling message and effective marketing. More specifically, the intern would develop a target profile of our client, create a plan to reach influencers (school counsellors, educational consultants), determine other exams that would be key to the company’s growth, and hone our sales process for online tutoring.

Clinic@Joe’s Associate

We would like to hire one MBA student for their business knowledge and skills to support market analysis, intellectual property research, competitive and regulatory landscape analysis, as well as funding opportunities for early stage drug and technology development within Research St Joseph’s Hamilton (RSJH). The MBA student will work on diverse projects and get familiar with early stage drug and technology development. Under the mentorship of our team, the MBA student will work in multidisciplinary groups composed of scientists, clinicians, engineers, and business development individuals.

Improved data driven sgRNA design for use in bacteria

CRISPR/Cas9 is a promising tool for genome engineering in bacteria, but it’s limited by inconsistent accuracy. Though some studies have been conducted to understand why this inconsistency occurs, many important biological features have not been explored. Moreover, computer based attempts to predict accuracy have suffered from these knowledge gaps. This is due mainly to the fact that the mathematical equations that these predictions are based on, do not take these biological features into account. This project will use new laboratory data to develop new mathematical equations and ultimately improve the reliability of these CRISPR/Cas9 systems.

Sales Development Role

GrantMe is an online ed-tech company where students and educators can access our platform from the comfort of their own homes. Although we have seen a decline in revenue of 15%, we are still able to operate and hope to recover from the economic impact of COVID. We believe that ed-tech is going to become a critical industry for education as educators, students, and institutions are all required to use technology to offer online solutions for learning. As an online education platform, we believe that there has never been a more critical time for students to be able to access financial resources to support them in funding their education. We see the widespread adoption of technology in the education sector as a large opportunity for our business.

A cognitive approach to intelligent gaming:Analysis of eye movement

Le projet vise a mesurer de fac;on objective I’etat physiologique et affectif dans lequel se
trouvent les joueurs de jeux videos, et ce, en temps reel. Pour se faire, Ie suivi des mouvements
oculaires des joueurs sera enregistre lors de sessions de jeu. L’analyse du mouvement des yeux
mise en lien avec I’etat cognitif et affectif rapporte par les joueurs permettra ulterieurement d’adapter
Ie jeu en temps reel en fonction de I’etat affectif des joueurs et ainsi maximiser I’experience de jeu et
prevenir son abandon.
Ubisoft Quebec evalue actuellement Ie facteur amusement et la convivialite des jeux a I’aide
d’entrevues et de questionnaires qui peuvent etre influences par plusieurs biais. Ce projet permettra a
I’entreprise de non seulement de rendre plus objectif Ie processus d’evaluation de ces aspects, mais
egalement de devenir un pionner dans la creation de jeu « intelligent)} s’adaptant a I’etat cognitif et
affectif des joueurs.

Marketing Specialist Intern

Stoko is commercializing integrated apparel, which incorporates anatomical joint support into next-to-skin garments, with our first product focusing on the knee. Stoko is pre-revenue, and was projected to begin selling product in October 2020.

Marketing Specialist Intern will help to restore the timeline around Stoko’s digital marketing strategy, social media management and content creation, brand playbook, and product photography. S/he will be responsible for developing content for a variety of platforms, reaching out to retail and strategic accounts (physicians and benefits providers), developing and executing a successful digital marketing and SEO strategy to drive website traffic.