Innovative Projects Realized

Advanced Image-guided Therapy Software for Image-guided Focused Ultrasound Research with Integrated Data Curation for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Focused Ultrasound (FUS) is a therapeutic modality that can concentrate mechanical energy far from its source in just a few cubic millimetres. There is a significant number of studies investigating the use of FUS as a therapeutic option for multiples diseases, with an emphasis on oncology and brain disorders. While machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming compelling research tools in many areas, the use of ML+AI has remained elusive for FUS research. In collaboration with the company FUS Instruments (Toronto, ON), the goal of this research is to expand the capabilities of our software platform for the control of FUS devices to integrate highly curated data collection, which is fundamental for an effective ML+AI processing, and also to improve the quality of FUS based experimentation. We will also adapt our Proteus platform to drive the RK300 Magnetic Resonance image (MRI)-guided FUS (MRgFUS) system from FUS Instruments.

Developing a new onsite wastewater treatment certification program for training and assessing competent practitioners during COVID-19 pandemic

Onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) are the integral part of wastewater management in Canadian rural and sub-urban communities. Sporadic reports indicate that these systems fail or underperform frequently and as such, they are among the most important sources of nutrient pollution in ground- and surface waters, which we frequently use as drinking water resources. The OWTS failures are generally not due to inherent flaws in the system technology but rather due to inappropriate development (poor design and/or installation). This study ensures Canadian public and environment health and safety, by improving the quality of training/certification program of OWTS practitioners. This research program aims to identify the issues in the current program through a systematic approach. A new program is to be developed which can be clearly understood by diverse audience among the participants and the key concepts can be remembered months later when they are actively engaged in the field.

Effets de la gelée royale dans l’activation de la route de signalisation dépendent de FSH pendant la maturation in vitro d’ovocytes de vache

L’objectif c’est de décrire les effets qu’a la gelée royale sur le processus de maturation artificiel des ovocytes au niveau moléculaire. L’hypothèse c’est que la gelée royale a des compounds qui agissent similairement à l’hormone FSH. Ce projet va explorer l’utilisation de la gelée royale dans le milieu de culture utilisé en IVM, et résultera en des données originales d’importance pour l’industrie agricole. Une augmentation du taux de production d’embryons apportera des nouvelles solutions pour l’industrie et des nouvelles approches ‘biologiques’ pour l’amélioration des techniques de reproduction assistée.

Geochemical habitability potential of magmatic vs impact induced heat hydrothermal environment on early Earth and Mars

Throughout Earth’s geological history, hydrothermal systems have provided habitats for primordial forms of life by creating a warm fluid environment that reacts with the local rocks to release nutrients that can support microbial life. The predominant heat supply for these environments on Earth comes from magmatic sources, however, on extraterrestrial bodies such as Mars, impacts are the main source of heat. Here, the different chemical potential of free energy released from the water-rock interaction from the Haughton impact crater in the high Arctic, Canada, will be compared to magmatic intrusions from the San Raphael Swell, Utah, USA. This will be done by fieldwork sample collection and thermodynamics chemical modelling. The calculated estimation of free energy released from each set of reactions will be used to evaluate the potential of each environment to support microbial life
through time and space.

Thermal Enhancement Packaging

Continuing progress in microelectronics today relies to a great extent on the ability of industrials to tightly integrate together different types of devices and integrated circuits, a practice known as heterogeneous packaging integration. These packages are used many everyday applications such as smart phone and social media. The increase performance of these packages come at a cost of increase power consumption and thus heat management to dissipate the energy that was not used for the actual calculation and communication. The proposed project proposed to investigate better thermal solutions. In order to do so, a better understanding of the temperature within the package is required. To achieve this goal, metallic heat dissipation element will be instrumented using thermal sensors to evaluate the thermal performance of the different package structure.

Novel image processing techniques of standard DXA scans to better predict hip fracture risk

Osteoporosis is a generalized skeletal disorder common in older adults, in which a reduction in Bone Mineral Density (BMD) decreases bone’s strength and can result in an increased risk of fragility fractures. One of the sites commonly affected by osteoporosis is the proximal femur (“hip”), the fracture of which greatly decreases mobility and function, as well as being responsible for high health care costs for society (estimated at $619M annually)1,2.

We have developed novel image processing techniques to extract much more information from each clinical DXA scan than simply a BMD measure. This approach uses statistical modeling techniques to characterize the shape and distribution of mineral through the proximal femur, as well as the trabecular quality through texture analysis. A template model is established from a training set of images with patient fracture history data, after which any new scan may be mathematically represented by its differences from the template shape through scaling factors applied to the main modes of variation. The large complement of DXA scans in longitudinal databases presents an untapped opportunity for further investigation of our fracture-predicting algorithms and characterization of how different factors (such as medication use) contribute to fracture risk.

Optimization of task sequencing and allocation

Nowadays, software projects are no longer isolated but drive the business process of many non-IT companies. With the rise of AI applied in many industries, the problem of optimally scheduling tasks and allocating proper resources has significantly increased the challenge because of the diversity of tasks and stakeholders in the project. Due to the large volume and dynamic nature of the required information, manual optimization is typically error-prone and inefficient. Computer-aided techniques can overcome these issues but require a strict representation of the information often of an informal nature. In this project, we aim to deliver a computer-aided optimization solution. We formalize the underlying information and develop a simulation-based optimization technique. The results will elevate the project/resource planning maturity of the partner organization and, as a consequence, directly impact the time, cost, and quality of their projects.

Identification et caractérisation du complexe de pores nucléaires dans différents types de cellules spécifiques chez Arabidopsis thaliana

L’un des organites les plus importants dans les cellules de tous les organismes eucaryotes est le noyau, qui contient l’ADN qui est stocké dans le nucléoplasme. Ce nucléoplasme est entouré d’un système à double membrane appelé enveloppe nucléaire (EN). Ce EN contient des pores aqueux, dans lesquels sont insérés les complexes de pores nucléaires (CPNs). Les CPNs sont de groupes de protéines responsables de l’importation et de l’exportation sélectives de toutes les molécules passant par le NE. Chacun des CPNs est composé de multiples répétitions d’environ 30 protéines différentes connues comme de nucléoporines (NUPs). Actuellement, bien qu’il soit possible de trouver des informations sur la composition des CPNs dans les plantes, ceci est principalement basé sur les preuves obtenues de l’étude dans les levures et les organismes vertébrés. Malheureusement, l’étude de cette structure a été retardée dans les plantes. Il est crucial d’entreprendre des études sur le CNP et ses fonctions afin que plus d’information sur sa spécificité puisse servir à mieux déterminer comment ses variations structurelles contribuent à l’organisation fonctionnelle chez la plante.

Growth and Engagement Specialist

At Curatio, we’re on a mission to ensure no patient is alone on their health journey; a mission that has never been more stressed than ever before during the pandemic.
We believe everyone should have the support, information, and online tools they need to achieve their best health outcomes. Our mobile platform helps match patients to other patients that understand what they’re going through, all in private, secure environments.
From curated information, tracking tools, evidence-based programs and fun rewards…Curatio’s mobile platform is personalized to make ones living with a health condition a better one. Due to COVID-19, we have focused on some new project initiatives to help deliver our app to people that have been physically, mentally and emotionally impacted by COVID-19 which this intern would gain experience and contribute toward the success of such initiatives.
We would like the successful candidate/intern (titled Growth & Engagement Specialist) to take on tactical execution of user growth initiatives to help raise awareness of our COVID-19 online communities to those who would greatly benefit from them. These initiatives would range from social media posts, content (digital marketing) creation such as white papers, blogs, infographics, videos, etc as well as participating in forums and group discussions

Lucion

En coordination avec l’équipe de Lucion, le stagiaire aura pour fonction de développer l’image digitale Lucion et de lancer une grande campagne de prospection vers les clients actifs et les nouveaux.

Laridae’s Community of Practice

Laridae’s The Pier will be a learning-based community platform for non-profit leaders. By choosing from a variety of subscription offerings, leaders can take advantage of Laridae’s vast learning resources online and on demand. There, they will connect via live webinar with industry professionals such as lawyers, human resource consultants, fundraising experts and other influential leaders in the non-profit space. In addition to these live sessions, leaders will also have access to community forums to further connect with their peers and expand their learning.

The Pier is Laridae’s plan to transition its consulting and training products to an easily accessible platform. Its intention is to build stronger engagement with clients with an automated sales cycle. This will allow the company to productize past single-use projects so they may be used to support any organization at any time. By building this new capacity, Laridae will have more time to focus on attaining larger clients while still being able to serve smaller, less-funded non profits.

Marketing Coordinator

The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce has seen a 37.5% drop in revenue due to COVID-19. I will be working with the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce to research the needs of their business community and membership, develop a marketing plan, and assist in redeveloping their website. As a Marketing Coordinator, I will be responsible for the website development project, ensuring the project is launched on time and hits the expected goals. Redeveloping the website will better serve the business community as the new website will act as a business resource centre for all Tri-Cities businesses.