Innovative Projects Realized

Quantification of climate change impacts of selected construction material supply chains

Research the existing stock of Environmental Product Declarations and underlying Product Category Rules in selected material categories including wood, steel, and glass. Evaluate the accuracy and comparability of the population, identify top sources of embodied carbon impact variation in the supply chain, and provide estimates of the sensitivity of the embodied carbon impact of those supply chain factors. Document these differences in formats that can be published and, incorporated into BuildingTransparency.org’s free EC3 software service, for which C Change Labs is the primary developer. BuildingTransparency.org is a Washington State 501c(3) not-for-profit focused on climate change impacts in construction.

Leveraging machine learning to improve trauma-related health outcomes

Severe and multiple traumas can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which causes distress and difficulty in many areas of life. Military members, veterans, and public safety personnel such as police officers, firefighters, and rescue workers are often exposed to traumatic events on-the-job (seeing natural disasters, human violence, or death). One severe subtype of PTSD is PTSD with dissociation, where the person feels as if one’s body is not their own, or as if the outside world is not real. Currently, we have limited knowledge about PTSD with dissociation and whether other subtypes exist. Advanced computer models will be used to analyze data from over 800 patients (military members, veterans, public safety personnel, civilians) who received treatment for PTSD. Findings may uncover additional PTSD subtypes, refine what we know about dissociation, and predict what factors lead to better functioning and recovery. These models will then be used to predict which subtype of PTSD an individual has and identify which type of treatment will most likely lead to recovery.

Long-term rattlesnake population trends in response to land management regime changes

Monitoring of wildlife populations is essential for identifying declines or changes, especially in response to habitat changes or disturbance. By comparing historical and modern populations, we can quantify long-term trends. In this study we are comparing historical data from the mid-1980’s to modern to identify trends within a population of Western rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus). During the previous study, the landscape was managed as cattle grazing land with negligible human presence. Immediately following the study in 1985, management of the landscape changed so that half of the rattlesnake population remained on grazing lands, and the other half are now within the boundaries of a provincial park dedicated to recreation. This allows for a comparison of how the population has changed over 35 years, and how these different land management styles may have affected these changes. Working with Coldstream Ranch as part of this research, we will create a best management plan that helps educated rangeland employees on rattlesnakes and promotes stewardship and safe working environments for humans and wildlife. We also will develop a seasonal habitat use map to identify areas of high importance to rattlesnakes to inform future grazing plans to protect both livestock and threatened rattlesnakes.

Monitoring Interactions of Southern Resident Killer Whales with Recreational Boats and Commercial Vessels in Boundary Pass

Boundary Pass is located off the south coast of Saturna Island and is an important foraging spot for the endangered Southern Resident Killer whales (SRKW). This region is also used by fishing, recreational and ecotourism boats and by large commercial vessels transiting through the shipping lanes to Vancouver Ports. Starting in June, the ECHO Program is initiating a commercial vessel Slowdown Trial that includes the Boundary Pass region off Saturna Island. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a substantial reduction in tourism affecting recreational boating and commercial whale-watching. This natural reduction in boat presence in conjunction with a commercial vessel Slowdown Trial gives an unprecedented opportunity to collect baseline data. The results of this study will contribute observations and analyses to the larger goal of helping SMRU Canada Ltd understanding impacts of boat and vessel traffic to support the recovery of SRKW in the Salish Sea.

Development of an AI-controlled closed-loop neuromodulation system form chronic conditions

The treatment of chronic conditions accounted for 58% of the annual healthcare spend in Canada in 2012, primarily through the use of pharmaceuticals. However, these are generally best suited to treat acute diseases, as with chronic use, side effects can accumulate over time while therapeutic effects diminish. Neuromodulation of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) represents a promising and adaptable treatment alternative to pharmaceuticals in many cases. Such treatments are still in their infancy and are currently dominated (>99.5%) by devices utilizing open-loop stimulation with clinician-led, manual adjustment. A closed-loop system that responds to peripheral nerve activity and other biomarkers in real time would enable dose-sensitive and targeted therapies. However, closed-loop neuromodulation systems face a significant challenge; smart adaptation requires an understanding of how particular nerves encode information to govern the behavior of tissues or organs. New methods must therefore be developed to decode and harness the large volumes of highly complex information transmitted through the PNS. This project will employ the latest findings in machine learning to extract biomarkers from neural data. Semi-supervised training methods will determine how these biomarkers drive physiological responses.

A novel water-based air filtration technology using cryogel biomaterials

We have a new technology at the Heart Valve Performance Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, which can be used for the new generation of the facial mask. This biomaterial which is highly hydrophilic will be utilized for the construction of a water-based air-filter mask because it is practically 99% water and 1% polymer, i.e., solid state water. Through the process of filtration, all small and large particles along with viruses and bacteria are trapped by the proposed mask and then can be properly disposed.

Spread and impact of an eruptive herbivore in a novel habitat: consequences of climate change – induced range expansion

In BC, the mountain pine beetle (MPB) has significantly expanded its range to more northerly
latitudes and higher elevations due to climate change. Within newly invaded habitats, it has
been shown that the productivity of the beetle is several times greater than that associated
with its historic range, prompting speculation that unusually high rates of tree mortality and
population expansion in the northern portions of the recent epidemic were a consequence of
the beetle’s occupation of new habitats.
Using forest inventory data and GIS/remote sensing techniques this project will (i) compare
the rate of spread and impact by mountain pine beetle populations in historically climatically
suitable and unsuitable habitats, (ii) quantify the relationship between stand mensurational
characteristics and resultant tree mortality within recently invaded habitats, and (iii) construct
an index of stand susceptibility relevant to novel pine forests to facilitate projections of future
mountain pine beetle spread.

A computer-aided decision-making tool for Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing (PBF-AM) process selection using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)

Precision ADM is a global engineering and manufacturing solutions provider who uses Additive Manufacturing as a core technology, complemented by multi-axis machining to manufacture high value components and devices for the medical, aerospace, energy, and industrial sectors. Precision ADM specializes in PBF based additive manufacturing. For that reason, Precision ADM wants to design and develop a cost-effective and customized computer-aided decision-making tool for the AM process selection, particularly for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (PBF-AM) processes. The tool would consider the manufacturability of parts by additive manufacturing, and the selection of an optimal method based on capabilities of PBF-AM processes.

Understanding Toronto’s Historical Watercourses

Today almost 3 million people live in Toronto (almost 6 million in the Greater Toronto Area). As the city’s population continues to grow, people are increasingly seeking connection to the natural landscape within the city limits. This project will illuminate and re-invigorate understanding and appreciation of the natural history of the area and the importance of connected waterways. It will inform future planning related to the connection between natural and engineered water resources in an urban environment.

Business Development Intern

With the economic slowdown due to COVID-19, the construction industry which is Deformance Design Lab’s main clientele has shifted. As a result, Deformance Design Labs Inc. will need pivot their business strategy to address these changes. As an intern with a focus on business technology and experience in business strategy, I would bring the skills and experience to perform a thorough market analysis and build on Deformance Design Lab’s current market research. I will be assessing their current strategy and business plan in light of the information gathered in the market analysis of the current business environment affected by COVID-19. Together with the leadership team, I will be developing a new strategy and business model for Deformance Design Labs. This internship will help to provide a clear picture of the conditions businesses face in COVID-10, and will result in a plan of action that directly addresses the current issues and opportunities faced in launching and growing a company in a pandemic.

Mi5 Print & Digital Summer Intern

As part of the Mitacs / Ivey Business School Internship Program Mi5 is looking for an energetic and passionate problem-solver to lead an important transition for our business – this will be an opportunity to drive change and make a real difference for the business.

Mi5 is planning a business transition to advance production and financial processes with the objective of enhancing the data and information captured.
• For production, Mi5 utilizes Avanti’s Slingshot – this has been rolled out to the Mi5 team, however, we need to improve and expand the adoption of this tool across Mi5
• For finance and accounting, Mi5 is moving to the MS Dynamics GP platform – this will modernize our financial processes at Mi5 leading to important efficiencies

Strategy Intern – Waterstone Human Capital

The intern will help complete the strategy and business planning for Waterstone Culture Institute by working with Waterstone’s chief executive officer, marketing leader and a third party consultant to help refine the proprietary process, assess the technology required (through off the shelf learning management system and digital analytics tools) and help define the marketing strategy, pricing and competitive landscape to support this new business (and leader/executive director) towards an expected launch in the fall of 2020.