Innovative Projects Realized

Metabolic and biochemical characterization of terpenoid profiles in the high-value plants hop (Humulus lupulus), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), and cannabis (Cannabis sativa)

Despite advances in biotechnology and organic synthesis, plants remain the main source of many of high-value bioactive compounds used in the medical, fragrance and food industries. Increasing demand for bioactive plants (e.g., cannabis and extracts thereof) require robust authentication approaches to verify feedstock, identify product adulteration and ensure product safety for consumers. This research aims to develop such robust testing methods for a wide range of high-value plant materials and related products including tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil and hops (Humulus lupulus), as well as cannabis (Cannabis sativa) and edible cannabis products. Our work will focus on terpenoids with conventional and enantiomeric profiling approaches, as enantiomeric terpenoids may exert distinct biological effects separate from and/or in combination with other compounds. We will use state-of-the-art gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with various sampling methods (e.g., high-temperature headspace and vacuum-assisted sample extraction) for phytochemical profiling of commercial hops, tea tree essential oils, and cannabis varieties with a focus on mono- and sesqui-terpenes. High-throughput comparative genomics/transcriptomics, biochemical characterization and synthetic biology will follow to elucidate the biochemical pathways behind any distinct terpene enantiomer profiles, and potentially produce these valuable stereoisomers on scales appropriate for further research and development.

Health care delivery readiness for non-communicable diseases in areas of humanitarian crisis

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death around the world. Most of these deaths take place in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). In the event of a humanitarian emergency, people are often forced to flee their homes. These emergencies can last over a long-duration with people needing aid and assistance. When individuals with NCDs are forcibly displaced from their homes, it becomes difficult for them to access the resources they need to manage their condition. This project will look at how prepared LMICs are to deal with NCDs in crisis situations. It will identify what is needed to ensure the continuity of care, what guidelines are already present, and what the ethical issues are in providing such care. This will lead to a more informed approach to managing NCDs in the event of a humanitarian emergency.

La politique et les intérêts du Japon dans l’Arctique

L’objectif général de mon projet est d’étudier et de définir les dynamiques d’interactions entre les acteurs gouvernementaux, académiques et économiques au Japon par rapport à leurs différents intérêts présent dans l’Arctique. Mais également d’étudier le processus d’élaboration de la politique Arctique japonaise nationale, des initiatives mises en place par le gouvernement pour soutenir de possibles investissements des entreprises japonaises dans cette région. Et enfin d’analyser les initiatives régionales mises en œuvre concernant l’Arctique avec par exemple la préfecture de Hokkaido et le port de Tomakomai qui souhaitent valoriser son emplacement comme porte maritime entre l’Asie et l’Arctique. Cette bourse me permettra de me rendre au Japon afin de mener des entretiens avec des entreprises ou conglomérats japonais potentiellement intéressés par la région Arctique, des membres du gouvernement Japonais ainsi que des chercheurs impliqués dans la recherche polaire. TO BE CONT’D

To Investigate the Role of Prohibitin-1 (PHB1) In the Functional Plasticity of Macrophage

Macrophages are a highly diverse cell type that plays crucial roles in the body such as fighting pathogens, maintaining self-tolerance, surveillancing early cancer cells and tissue repair, whereas dysregulation of these functions are often associated with diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancers and autoimmune diseases. Up to date, factors that regulate the metabolic switches between macrophage phenotypes are largely unexplored. My PhD focuses on one potential factor named prohibitin-1 in the regulation of macrophage plasticity and functions. I will use a combination of in vivo and in vitro experimental approaches along with molecular biology techniques and proteomics tools. Research findings will give us a better understanding of the integration of cell signaling events with metabolic pathways within macrophages in both normal body physiology and disease states, which may provide potential therapeutic benefits.

Addressing Energy Poverty in British Columbia’s Rural and Indigenous Communities

Rural and indigenous communities in Canada experience energy poverty due to poor quality housing, lower incomes, high fuel costs, limited access to natural gas, and in some cases no access to grid electricity. Ecotrust Canada’s Community Energy Initiative seeks to address Energy Poverty by improving access to affordable heat in rural and indigenous communities across Canada. Residential heating constitutes majority of energy costs for Canadian households, and so, heating system retrofits are a compelling opportunity to address high energy costs. We will assess opportunities for rural indigenous communities in British Columbia to reduce heating costs by analyzing a range of alternatives including pellet stoves, high-efficiency heat pumps, building envelop retrofits, and natural gas connections close to existing pipeline. Through this, we attempt to design policy recommendations and pricing structures to better support delivery of affordable heat in rural and indigenous communities across British Columbia.

Characterization of heterogeneous strain fields by digital image correlation

Structural components, such as turbine parts, are often subjected to severe mechanical and

environmental conditions. In order to extend their in-service life and thus reduce the costs associated

to their maintenance and replacement, it is of importance to understand the factors that impact their

behavior. The development of deformation heterogeneities figures among the main factors. This

project aims at providing a tool for studying the damaging and failure of materials by means of

evaluating strains at the micrometer scale. The tool consists in a code based on the technique of

digital image correlation which compares pairs of images of the same specimen before and after

applied deformation. Typically, these can be optical images, but more sophisticated observation

instruments can also be used. The code evaluates the global necessary deformation to transform the

first image into the second one, hence giving access to the real, mechanical deformation undergone

by the specimen. The final goal is then to investigate relationships between the……..

From Camps to Campus: English Literacy Development Programs for Refugee Students with Emerging Literacy

The majority of refugee children have limited opportunities to develop first language (L1) literacy skills due to interrupted formal education. Upon resettlement to a country with a different language, refugee children must learn the language of instruction (L2) and develop L2 literacy to fill academic knowledge gaps. With limited L1 literacy and L2 oral competence upon which to build L2 literacy, and limited time to bridge linguistic and content gaps, students of refugee backgrounds with emerging literacy (REL students) require literacy support.
Currently, the majority of references cited in major policy resources relating to refugee education in Canada come from Australian research. This project will deepen understanding of secondary-aged REL students’ literacy development by addressing the questions: 1) What is the current status of research on the literacy learning and education of REL students? 2) What are the current policies, practices, and resources used in literacy programs for REL students in Australia? 3) How do these policies, practices, and resources align with those in Canada?
The project will comprise two phases: first, a scoping review of empirical and gray literature; second, a case study of a literacy program in Melbourne, Australia […]

Pan-Canadian Survey of Education Funding Structures and Processes

Across Canadian provinces, there is little standardization or coordination in terms of public education financing. As such, there is no coordination or standardization in public education across Canada. The IPE/BC is interested in producing a report that outlines the diverse funding models used across Canadian provinces and territories. The aim of this project is to be easily understood and accessible to educators, researchers, policy analysts and citizens. The intern will utilize secondary data analysis to gather and analyze information on education funding allocation across Canada. The intern will then compile the information in a report, and deliver a presentation to key stakeholders. As the IPE/BC is committed to independent research focusing on strengthening the public education system, this project sparks greater dialogue and presents an opportunity to learn from and engage with other jurisdictions.

Temporally consistent employee group labels

Analytical applications in large organizations across even intermediate time ranges are often made complex, costly or even impractical due to temporal inconsistencies in the available data. The ever-changing nature of organizations causes categorical labels in data to change over time. This is particularly true for HR data, as the organization adjusts to changes in skillsets, market and operations. This project aims at establishing automated methods of defining consistent employee group labelling across time. Such consistent labels will allow organizations to make better organizational decisions as more historical data becomes available for analysis.

Arsenic solubility and its mechanism from DST glass arsenic product; an arsenic solubility study and comparison with other stable arsenic minerals (scorodite, encapsulated scorodite, and calcium arsenate)

The project focuses on the evaluation of the arsenic-containing glass material that the new Dundee Sustainable Technologies (DST) process produces. The idea is to evaluate the stability of arsenic in the material, and through a feedback process to DST improve the quality of the process for the production of arsenical materials.

Optimization of a calibration procedure for Mecademic’s Meca500 robot arm

Mecademic manufactures the smallest and most precise six-axis robot arm. The repeatability of this robot is better than 0.005 mm, but like any industrial robot, the robot’s accuracy is far worse. The only practical way of improving the robot’s accuracy is to calibrate each individual robot. While various methods for the calibration of six-axis robot arms have already been developed in the past, the proposed research project is different since the robot will be installed directly on the CMM and the full pose (position and orientation) will be measured by touch probing the datum cube attached to the robot’s flange. Moreover, since the applicant will have full access to all physical characteristics of the robot, an attempt will be made to develop a simpler mathematical model, so that the model can be used in real time.

Energy management and optimization of airport terminals with the focus on green and net-zero energy solutions

This project is a collaboration between Vantage Airport Group Ltd. and Dr. Krishna Vijayaraghavan research group at SFU to identify best current sustainable practices in the airport industry. The focus of this project is on the economic and environmental aspect of sustainability, and this research aims to identify the best terminal and hub design practices that can minimize the energy consumption with the focus on green and net-zero energy solutions. The ultimate goal of this project is to contribute to Vantage’s long-term efforts to develop and operate airport terminals with a minimum total cost of ownership and environmental impact by identifying existing best practices in airport terminals design and operations. Since 1994 Vancouver-based Vantage Airport Group has developed or operated 31 airports around the world and currently manages ten assets in Canada, the US, and overseas. For development projects, Vantage typically teams up with investors, architects, and builders and contributes to the project as an experienced airport operator and owner representative.