Innovative Projects Realized

Causal drivers of post-bleaching coral reef regime shifts

Coral reef regime shifts occur when environmental stressors result in the benthic composition abruptly transitioning from a coral dominated reef to one dominated by macroalgae. These shifts are a key conservation concern and have led to substantial degradation of coral reefs worldwide. In particular, climate-induced coral bleaching is now a leading threat to coral reefs, and can result in coral-algal shifts that are often detrimental and difficult to reverse. Yet not all reefs shift towards algal domination after a bleaching event, and a causal understanding of the conditions under which reefs recover vs regime shift is currently unknown. The aim of this project is to create a causal model that determines how different environmental conditions (e.g. depth, structural complexity, herbivorous biomass) have influenced recovery vs regime shift trajectories after a widespread climate-induced bleaching event in Seychelles. By applying causal inference to a 17 year dataset collected across 21 reef sites in Seychelles, this project provides a unique opportunity to study causal mechanisms affecting post-bleaching recovery potential on coral reef ecosystems.

Effect of probiotics on reducing diet-induced inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque formation in APoE-knockout mice

Diets which reduce carbohydrate intake and increase protein intake, such as Atkins diet, are popular and effective for weight loss. However, such diets may negatively affect cardiovascular health by increasing atherosclerotic plaque formation, and overall lead to higher mortality. Vuckovic and Bergdahl previously used mouse model that mimics spontaneous formation of atherosclerotic plaques in humans to investigate the effect of a low carbohydrate-high protein (LCHP) diet on plaque formation. Their results identified the involvement of inflammatory pathways in adverse effects of LCHP diet in comparison to control and high-fat diets. We hypothesize that the administration of anti-inflammatory probiotic supplements can regulate the levels of inflammation and thus reduce the plaque formation in this animal model. Our findings will play an important role to better understand if the risks of LCHP diets can be minimized using probiotics and to understand more generally what effect this probiotic formulation has on diet-induced chronic inflammation.

Modification de surface de la cellulose nanocristalline

La cellulose nanocristalline (CNC) possède une résistance mécanique importante, comparable au Kevlar ou à l’acier. De nature biosourcée, c’est donc un excellent candidat pour renforcer une matrice polymère. Mais sa nature polaire la rend incompatible avec une matrice apolaire : une modification de surface est nécessaire. Pour cela, une méthode aux conditions douces et en accord avec le caractère biosourcé de la CNC sera utilisé. L’objectif est d’obtenir des nanoparticules qui permettront de renforcer des polymères de commodité tels que le polyéthylène pour notamment diminuer l’impact environnemental de matériaux pétrosourcés. Ainsi, avec l’ajout de la CNC modifiée, une plus faible quantité de polymère pétrosourcé serait nécessaire pour des propriétés équivalentes. D’autre part, la CNC modifiée peut également être intégrée dans des matrices polymères obtenues de ressources renouvelables comme le polyamide afin d’obtenir un nanocomposite entièrement biosourcé avec des propriétés mécaniques compétitives par rapport aux polymères de commodité pétrosourcés.

Smart Dashboard for Sustainable Destination Decision Making

Destinations have quickly become victims of their own success. Destination Management Organisations (DMO’s) worldwide are making a much needed shift towards the inclusion of management alongside their marketing priorities for destination management, but are often ill equipped. There is a current gap in the marketplace for useful, comprehensive and user-friendly tools to assist them. This project will create a tool to access the information Ottawa Tourism needs, creating a tool that will be the first data driven tool to combat overtourism, improve resident sentiment, improve efficiency of resources and planning, increase destination revenue and overhead and improve overall destination health.

The role of historical Indigenous burning patterns in reducing risk to mountain communities

For thousands of years before European arrival, the Indigenous people of the Rocky Mountains regularly used low-intensity surface fires to keep forests clear of debris and fuel to mitigate the risk of high-intensity wildfire. The proposed project will investigate the historical extent of landscape management by Indigenous burning methods and explore the incorporation of Indigenous burning practices into modern forest management programs to cope with recent extreme wildfire seasons. The project will analyze historical photos taken from early mountain surveys in the late 19th century to quantify the extent of the landscape that was regularly burned before fire exclusion policies were passed in the early 20th century. Utilizing image analysis software and other data from tree ring analysis and traditional knowledge, traditional forest management through Indigenous burning can be quantified in a way that is useful to modern forest management.

Solar Based Energy Solution for Zero-Carbon Transportation

Electrocatalytically converting CO2 into value-added transportation fuels, driven by solar derived electricity, can not only tackle global warming by reducing the green-house gases and utilizing the renewable energy, but also bring a great economic benefit. However, the current electrocatalytic technology suffers from an unsatisfied productivity of multi-carbon chemicals, as building blocks for large fuel molecules, and hence weakens its large-scale commercialization potential. The Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) spearheads, designs, and launches technology and commercialization projects that advance next-generation mobility and transportation technologies across Canada. They team with the Waterloo Engineering researchers in developing novel catalysts and flow reactors to increase the production rates of C1 and C2+ chemicals, with the ultimate goal of producing solar derived fuels for transportation. Three interns are supported by this project and will perform specified tasks in development of a novel photo-augmented electrocatalytic CO2 reduction technology, design of a large-scale catalytic flow reactor, and studies of the combustion and emission properties of the derived fuel.

Traceability of IoT Data using Blockchain-Based Distributed Ledger Technologies for the Energy Sector

In this project, we propose the use of blockchains to provide reliability, security, and transparency for collecting and querying IoT data in the energy sector. In particular, we will implement and evaluate our blockchain solution for enabling transactions in local energy markets, where homeowners have the capacity to generate energy (through renewables), stock energy (through electrical vehicle batteries), and consume energy. We will investigate various energy-related use cases and assess their relevance for Hydro-Quebec, as well as determine the added value of using a blockchain solution. We will then build a prototype, using open source blockchain software, to realize a studied use case using smart contracts. Finally, we will evaluate our prototype using a combination of public and cloud networks, in order to assess the challenge gaps surrounding the current systems, and further identify further research opportunities to improve the applicability and reliability of blockchain technology.

Examining Water Quality Parameter Testing Processes at Ontario Public Pools and Spas: Opportunities and Barriers

This research project aims to explore the experiences of public pool and spa staff in meeting the regulatory requirements for water parameter testing and understand user behaviours, needs, and attitudes towards pool and spa water testing equipment. Two groups of interest are Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) who are mandated to conduct inspections at public pools and spas and public pool and spa staff. The regulatory changes made in 2018 require pool and spa operators to test water chemistry parameters on a more frequent basis. Knowledge and user comfort when utilizing the water testing equipment are vital in maintaining the pool and spa in a sanitary manner. The research project utilizes a mixed-methods approach using surveys and focus group discussions with PHIs and pool and spa staff in southwestern Ontario.

Steroid biosynthesis in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH): Effectof Degarelix and relationship to cell growth

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive condition in the aging male characterized

by increased abnormal prostate growth leading to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). BPH affects

from 25% of men in their fifties to over 50% of men over 80 years. While surgical intervention

remains the main treatment of BPH, it poses the risk of serious side effects. New compounds under

investigation for BPH treatment include GnRH antagonists used for the treatment of prostate cancer

(PCa). These drugs at low doses induce a transient and moderate reduction of testosterone (T) levels

resulting in reduced LUTS. The studies proposed will elucidate the potential mechanism of action for

this class of drugs as well as critical differences in metabolism between BPH and PCa. The GnRH

antagonist Degarelix developed by the sponsor Ferring has been approved for use in prostate cancer

though a lot of mechanistic effects are to be elucidated. Currently, alternative usage of this drug is…tobecontinued

Preclinical development of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of AL cardiac amyloidosis

Amyloid cardiomyopathy is an under-recognized cause of heart failure and is caused by normal proteins in the bloodstream going bad (known as amyloid) and accumulating in the heart. This accumulation of amyloid in the heart tissue causes the wall of the heart to become rigid and ineffective at pumping blood to the rest of the body, causing heart failure. We are studying a form of amyloid cardiomyopathy called immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis, caused by the accumulation of light chain proteins. AL amyloidosis can also affect organs other than the heart and cause life-threatening multi-organ failure. We have designed a drug to potentially treat AL amyloidosis. The drug works by tagging these amyloid and harness the power of the immune system to recruit the body’s own immune cells to clear these amyloid from the organs, restoring organ function. This project involves screening our drugs for safety and effectiveness in mice. as well as drug characterization before it can be used in humans.

Probiotics to prevent the Progression of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis to Cirrhosis

As a result of increasing obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common chronic liver disease. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the pathogenic form of NAFLD and can progress to cirrhosis and need for liver transplantation. There is currently no Health Canada-approved therapy for the treatment of NASH. The intestinal microbiome has been shown to contribute to the development of NASH. This project aims to understand the impact of alterations in the intestinal microbiome on the development and progression of NASH development, and how probiotics (Lacidofil, Lallemand health solutions Inc.) can inhibit progression to significant scarring of the liver. These results will help to expand the current knowledge on probiotics as a preventive and therapeutic option for NASH.

Applying design thinking to urban planning: A case study of the Red Deer environmental master planning process

Cities are facing amplified change and uncertainty. As a result, the contemporary urban planner is confronted with increasingly complex problems, which shape the need for planning approaches that are adaptable, participatory and responsive. This project will explore the opportunities for improving and expediting planning processes through a design thinking approach. Design thinking is a solution-oriented and human-centred approach used by designers to address complex problems. This mindset holds great potential to expedite the planning process and assist policymakers to create strategies and services that help solve complex problems and enhance public value. This research would help Intelligent Futures refine and update its processes, based on rigorous research and prototyped experiences, which would in turn allow us to further innovate to enhance its impact in communities.