Innovative Projects Realized

Assessing regional controls on glacial bioavailable dissolved organic matter in the Canadian Arctic and the Canadian Rockies

We are investigating the source of dissolved organic matter (or DOM) – a class of nutrients known to fertilise aquatic ecosystems – in two glacial rivers in Canada (one in the Rockies and one in the Arctic). DOM is a very diverse group of different molecules, and some of these molecules are better food for bacteria (heterotrophs) than others. In our experiments, we will measure:
1) The molecular composition of DOM in water samples;
2) The age of carbon dioxide that is respired when bacteria consume DOM;
3) How much of this DOM is consumable by bacteria (a property known as ‘bioavailability’);
4) How the bacterial community changes when consuming different DOM samples (16s rRNA).
By comparing different water samples, we should be able to work out which groups of molecules (that tend to appear together) are most important to downstream ecosystems and where they come from.

Deep retrofit strategies for long-term care facilities and multi-unit residential buildings

Deep retrofits are a holistic approach to increasing a building’s capacity to be resilient to and adapt to climate events, such as: heat waves, flooding, air pollution, and earthquakes. Deep retrofits also help to lower a building’s energy use and operational and embodied carbon emissions. Operational carbon emissions are the greenhouse gas emissions associated with daily operation of the building, while embodied carbon emissions are associated with the materials and processes used in construction of the building. One of the most significant co-benefits of deep retrofits is the impact on occupant health, but there is a need for more research on these impacts, specifically in long-term care (LTC) facilities and multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs). This research project will aim to identify strategies for decreasing embodied carbon of LTC facilities while reducing operational carbon and enhancing resilience to climate change related events; highlighting the benefits of these strategies on occupant health.

Caracterisation experimentale et simulation numerique du comportementmecanique de matelas de reception utilises lors de performances acrobatiques

Le Cirque du Soleil dispose d’une expertise pratique importante pour la conception de matelas de
reception. Toutefois, due a I’absence de donnees approfondies, cette expertise repose sur peu
d’evidence scientifique, rendant difficile la conception de surfaces de reception optimale pour de
nouvelles performances acrobatiques. Le stage propose vise a caracteriser experimentalement et
simuler numeriquement Ie comportement mecanique des matelas de reception du Cirque. Les
donnees colligees permettront d’evaluer les matelas actuels et d’appuyer la conception de nouveaux
matelas sur une base quantitative, tout en supportant les activites de recherche prevue a la suite du
stage et axee sur I’interaction biomecanique entre I’artiste et Ie matelas. Les principaux resultats
seront exposes aux concepteurs d’equipements et de performances acrobatiques du Cirque dans Ie
cadre d’un seminaire de formation. Le projet de recherche permettra aussi au Cirque d’etablir ou de
maintenir des collaborations de recherche et/ou commerciales et de profiter d’une ressource
technique specialisee en biomecanique des chocs.

Exploring how climate change, gender, and tailored mental health services impact help-seeking and mental health outcomes among Canadian farmers – Year two

My doctoral research investigates mental health challenges of Canadian farmers, to more effectively address them. My research includes a nationwide epidemiological survey examining the prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and burnout. Additionally, I conducted 75 one-on-one qualitative interviews with farmers and others in the agricultural industry to provide an in-depth understanding of farmer mental health. Additionally, we developed an agriculture-based mental health literacy training, ‘In the Know’, which was piloted, formally evaluated, and determined effective.

To increase access to services and improve mental health outcomes for farmers, I will expand my current high research trajectory to increase our knowledge around factors (like gender and climate) impacting farmer mental health, and access to needed supports. Our team will work towards the sustainability of farmers and agriculture via research and outreach, while providing expertise to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. The objectives are to:

-Explore climate change impacts on farmer mental health;
-Explore farmer mental health through a gendered lens;
-Compare the effectiveness of the ‘In the Know’ program to Mental Health First Aid, a
general population program;
-Develop a knowledge-transfer intervention to improve service provider’s
knowledge of Canadian agriculture and the farmer-specific needs for mental health care.

Exploring how climate change, gender, and tailored mental health services impact help-seeking and mental health outcomes among Canadian farmers

My doctoral research investigates mental health challenges of Canadian farmers, to more effectively address them. My research includes a nationwide epidemiological survey examining the prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and burnout. Additionally, I conducted 75 one-on-one qualitative interviews with farmers and others in the agricultural industry to provide an in-depth understanding of farmer mental health. Additionally, we developed an agriculture-based mental health literacy training, ‘In the Know’, which was piloted, formally evaluated, and determined effective.

To increase access to services and improve mental health outcomes for farmers, I will expand my current high research trajectory to increase our knowledge around factors (like gender and climate) impacting farmer mental health, and access to needed supports. Our team will work towards the sustainability of farmers and agriculture via research and outreach, while providing expertise to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. The objectives are to:

-Explore climate change impacts on farmer mental health;
-Explore farmer mental health through a gendered lens;
-Compare the effectiveness of the ‘In the Know’ program to Mental Health First Aid, a
general population program;
-Develop a knowledge-transfer intervention to improve service provider’s
knowledge of Canadian agriculture and the farmer-specific needs for mental health care.

Farms of the Future – Evaluating the impacts of regenerative farming practices on soil biodiversity – Year two

Complex communities of bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates are known to be involved in the preservation and enhancement of soil fertility, nutrient cycling, crop productivity, and carbon sequestration, but the details have been lacking. This knowledge gap can now be addressed through new methods, such as DNA metabarcoding, which make it possible to monitor the diversity and dynamics of entire soil communities. McCain Foods Ltd., a global producer of potato products, launched its ‘Farms of the Future’ project in early 2020 to demonstrate the scalability and economic viability of regenerative farming practices that protect both soil health and biodiversity, factors key to the sustainability of potato production. A 400-acre farm in New Brunswick was acquired to test conventional farming practices against regenerative methods such as green manure, rotational livestock grazing, and strip cropping. By using metabarcoding to quantify the impacts of different agricultural practices on soil organisms, my research will identify practices that foster biological communities that enhance soil productivity. While my results will be important to McCain Foods, they will have broader impacts on the long-term vitality of Canada’s agricultural sector by advancing understanding of factors influencing soil biodiversity and the practices that regenerate and protect it.

Farms of the Future – Evaluating the impacts of regenerative farming practices on soil biodiversity

Complex communities of bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates are known to be involved in the preservation and enhancement of soil fertility, nutrient cycling, crop productivity, and carbon sequestration, but the details have been lacking. This knowledge gap can now be addressed through new methods, such as DNA metabarcoding, which make it possible to monitor the diversity and dynamics of entire soil communities. McCain Foods Ltd., a global producer of potato products, launched its ‘Farms of the Future’ project in early 2020 to demonstrate the scalability and economic viability of regenerative farming practices that protect both soil health and biodiversity, factors key to the sustainability of potato production. A 400-acre farm in New Brunswick was acquired to test conventional farming practices against regenerative methods such as green manure, rotational livestock grazing, and strip cropping. By using metabarcoding to quantify the impacts of different agricultural practices on soil organisms, my research will identify practices that foster biological communities that enhance soil productivity. While my results will be important to McCain Foods, they will have broader impacts on the long-term vitality of Canada’s agricultural sector by advancing understanding of factors influencing soil biodiversity and the practices that regenerate and protect it.

Improving the capability, precision, and durability of the Ignition Quality Tester (IQT™) in the renewable diesels Cetane number range

This proposal aims to improve the capability, precision, and durability of the Ignition Quality
Tester (IQT™). This project includes an experimental investigation of the following areas;
Testing of new primary reference fuels, PRFs, and Check fuels, CFs to expand the range of
ASTM D6890-11a standard from (33 to 65 DCN) to (15?100 DCN); Investigate experimentally
the impact of the oxygen concentration in the charge air on the response of a fuel sample in
the IQT™ system. The study also covers the characterization of renewable diesels (HDRDs)
and their petroleum diesel blends using the IQT™; Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of
the IQT™ fuel injection system performance under different test conditions with different fuels
will be conducted utilizing the IQT™ combustion visualization system (AVL-Visio-Scope
system). The ultimate goal of this project is to establish a world class research Centre at
Carleton University in renewable fuels and fuel atomization, exploring fundamental issues
and solving technical industrial problems.

Genomic studies for fertility, health, and efficiency traits in dairy cattle – Year two

The advent of genomic selection in the dairy industry has increased genetic progress; however, new challenges are emerging. Rapid population growth and associated demographic and economic changes are increasing global demand for dairy products. Moreover, the industry must address several societal and consumer issues such as human health, animal health and welfare, and the environmental footprint (e.g., greenhouse gases, antibiotic and hormone use). These new challenges require an animal that is capable of adapting to changing environmental conditions without compromising its productivity, health or fertility while becoming more resource-efficient and reducing its environmental burden.
Improvement in overall animal resilience will reduce costs for the Canadian dairy industry and provide wider benefits to society. This project aims to identify genomic markers (e.g., copy number variants) and perform genetic association analyses with traits related to resilience such as health, fertility and efficiency traits. The results will assist Lactanet (our industry partner) with the implementation of novel genomic tools for a selection index to increase dairy cow resilience in Canadian herds.

Genomic studies for fertility, health, and efficiency traits in dairy cattle

The advent of genomic selection in the dairy industry has increased genetic progress; however, new challenges are emerging. Rapid population growth and associated demographic and economic changes are increasing global demand for dairy products. Moreover, the industry must address several societal and consumer issues such as human health, animal health and welfare, and the environmental footprint (e.g., greenhouse gases, antibiotic and hormone use). These new challenges require an animal that is capable of adapting to changing environmental conditions without compromising its productivity, health or fertility while becoming more resource-efficient and reducing its environmental burden.
Improvement in overall animal resilience will reduce costs for the Canadian dairy industry and provide wider benefits to society. This project aims to identify genomic markers (e.g., copy number variants) and perform genetic association analyses with traits related to resilience such as health, fertility and efficiency traits. The results will assist Lactanet (our industry partner) with the implementation of novel genomic tools for a selection index to increase dairy cow resilience in Canadian herds.

Evaluating the Impact of Cannabis Legalization in Canada on Risk-Taking Behaviours – Year two

The proposed research will focus on changes in cannabis use patterns and sources of supply following cannabis legalization, and on how these changes produce and/or reduce cannabis-related harm. The research will involve statistical analyses of Statistic Canada’s National Cannabis Survey (NCS). Some key areas of consideration will be: cannabis-impaired driving, cannabis dependence, and youth cannabis use. The partner organization (the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction [CCSA]) will benefit by having a researcher with expertise in the substance use and addiction field who can conduct analyses on cannabis trends and patterns before and after legalization, and who can write reports for the organization and update the organization’s resources based on these findings. Some examples of resources I will update include: the Cannabis Drug Summary (see, for example, CCSA 2018) and the Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis series (see, for example, Beirness and Porath 2017). The research findings will also be used by CCSA knowledge brokers to create resources such as infographics to help disseminate the findings and by policy analysts to incorporate into policy briefs with the goal of influencing future program and policy development and implementation.

Evaluating the Impact of Cannabis Legalization in Canada on Risk-Taking Behaviours

The proposed research will focus on changes in cannabis use patterns and sources of supply following cannabis legalization, and on how these changes produce and/or reduce cannabis-related harm. The research will involve statistical analyses of Statistic Canada’s National Cannabis Survey (NCS). Some key areas of consideration will be: cannabis-impaired driving, cannabis dependence, and youth cannabis use. The partner organization (the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction [CCSA]) will benefit by having a researcher with expertise in the substance use and addiction field who can conduct analyses on cannabis trends and patterns before and after legalization, and who can write reports for the organization and update the organization’s resources based on these findings. Some examples of resources I will update include: the Cannabis Drug Summary (see, for example, CCSA 2018) and the Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis series (see, for example, Beirness and Porath 2017). The research findings will also be used by CCSA knowledge brokers to create resources such as infographics to help disseminate the findings and by policy analysts to incorporate into policy briefs with the goal of influencing future program and policy development and implementation.