Innovative Projects Realized

PROVINCIAL FOOD NETWORK CO-OP INTERNSHIP

Our Mitacs intern, Paula Renee Boldut will be assisting with the launch of a new Co-op and carrying out research for her Master’s degree into challenges and strategies to achieve food sovereignty in rural and urban communities

The project sponsor, the provincial non-profit group Food Producers Forum (www.foodproducersforum.com), is a six-year old non-profit group developing community-based solutions to food insecurity. At a Gathering in Cormack NL during the fall of 2024, more than 30 NL food-system stakeholders at different levels and scales, with a direct interest in food production and harvesting attended. This group included ten out of the fifteen member sites making up the Provincial Food Network, a two-year funded project of Food Producers Forum. Over several days this diverse group discussed food-related challenges affecting them and their communities, as well as actions that could be taken to address them.

The event provided an opportunity for a ‘SWOT analysis’ (strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats) during which the strengths and weaknesses of the current NL food system were assessed and varied opportunities and threats were explored. The key outcome from the event was a decision by attendees to move forward with forming a new co-op entity that could support food system stakeholders to work together on the issues and actions the Gathering had identified. A steering committee was formed to investigate options and report back to those involved.

At this gathering the PFN network sites agreed to move forward to form the PFN Co-op. Articles of incorporation, bylaws, and this draft business plan were developed and approved. The PFN Co-op is now officially registered with the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is now time to launch the organization, recruit members and develop services. This broadly based group of food producers, processors and distributors will work together to rebuild local food security and community health.

Sustainable and Durable Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composite for Concrete Infrastructure

The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions, making its decarbonization essential to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). This project aims to develop a sustainable and durable fiber-reinforced cementitious (FRC) composite by synergistic utilization of recycled fibers and carbon-based quantum dots (CQDs). The proposed study will utilize four types of recycled fibers in concrete, namely steel fibers recovered from scrap tires, synthetic fibers derived from plastic waste, carbon fibers from composite waste, and glass fibers from decommissioned wind turbine blades, replacing carbon- and energy-intensive steel rebar and manufactured steel fibers. Additionally, the sustainable synthesis methods for CQDs using biomass and natural waste will be explored, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional, chemical-intensive methods. The outcome of this research will provide the construction industry with practical guidelines on selecting suitable recycled fibers and their optimal dosages for specific applications, enabling cost-effective and low-carbon construction practices.

Anticipating Adversary Tactics: A Proactive Approach to Threat Hunting

Cyber threats are becoming increasingly complex, with attackers constantly changing their strategies to stay ahead of security defenses. Traditional detection approaches often focus on reacting after an attack has already occurred, leaving organizations vulnerable during critical early stages.
This research project focuses on four main areas: (1) it uses patterns from past attacks to forecast future steps in an attack chain, giving defenders more time to respond; (2) it applies threat actor attribution, comparing suspicious activities against known attacker profiles to spot early warning signs; (3) it combines multiple sources of information to create a comprehensive view of the threat landscape; and (4) it ensures that these models can adapt over time, staying effective against new and emerging threats.
By combining these elements, the project aims to help organizations move from reactive responses to proactive threat hunting, enabling earlier detection, faster response, and stronger resilience. The outcomes will support both academic research and industry practices, strengthening our collective ability to safeguard digital environments.

Moderniser l’évaluation foncière commerciale : modélisation des attributs, régressions quantiles spatio-temporelles et approche de nowcasting

Le projet cherche à moderniser la façon dont on évalue la valeur des immeubles commerciaux au Québec. Aujourd’hui, ces évaluations sont souvent basées sur des méthodes anciennes ou adaptées du marché résidentiel, ce qui ne reflète pas bien la réalité plus complexe du secteur commercial. L’équipe de recherche développera donc de nouveaux outils d’analyse capables de traiter automatiquement de grandes quantités de données — comme la localisation, le taux d’occupation ou la qualité des bâtiments — pour obtenir des estimations plus justes et plus réactives aux conditions du marché.

Ce projet est réalisé en partenariat avec CMSD, une entreprise québécoise spécialisée en évaluation immobilière. En combinant leur vaste base de données et des méthodes statistiques avancées, l’objectif est d’améliorer la précision, la rapidité et la fiabilité des évaluations. Ces innovations permettront à CMSD et à ses clients de mieux comprendre les dynamiques du marché et de soutenir des décisions plus éclairées en matière d’investissement et de planification urbaine.

Medventions Atlantic – NL – Winter 2026 – Anesthesiology

The Medventions Atlantic – NL program is based on the proven model from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre which enables high-performing students and recent graduates from diverse academic backgrounds to engage directly with frontline clinical and innovation challenges. The interns are embedded within clinical environments to identify unmet needs, apply early-stage innovation thinking, and co-develop solutions with clinicians, patients, and administrators.

Quantum Machine Learning for Time Series Anomaly Detection

This project explores the potential of quantum machine learning (QML) algorithms for time series anomaly detection (TAD), a crucial task in areas such as healthcare, finance, and cloud systems. While classical approaches have achieved notable success, challenges remain in capturing complex temporal dependencies, modeling high-dimensional correlations, and ensuring timely detection of anomalies. By leveraging QML-based algorithms, the project aims to develop more accurate and efficient solutions for detecting unusual patterns in time series data from complex systems. The research will be jointly conducted by the Gran Sasso Science Institute in Italy and Toronto Metropolitan University in Canada, fostering collaboration in quantum computing and AI-driven anomaly detection. Both institutions will benefit from shared expertise, joint publications, and knowledge exchange, which will strengthen their international partnerships and contribute to Canada’s leadership in quantum innovation.

DC3: Viral Menace

1) S-Qubed Entertainment (SQE) was established to share stories in all three facets of entertainment – video games, books, and visual media. SQE values research and data-driven improvements to create projects that reflect the tastes of our contemporary audience. We strive to address the lack of diversity by crafting worlds that explore untold narratives.
2) Each area of development for this project aims to solve their respective challenges and goals in a game development pipeline. Some of these challenges are: a fully functional and cohesive User Interface; fully modeled, textured, rigged and animated game assets that the player interacts with; and game systems that will be tested and integrated into a demo.
3) This project will provide training and employment opportunities recent graduates, which in turn helps grow the video game development sector in Canada. The game’s narrative aims to spark conversations on topics of losing one’s hero; the connection between physical and psychological health, and the trauma of losing a loved one. The finished demo will be showcased at the Steam Next Fest event. Lessons learned from this project will enable SQE studio to plan and execute game development at a sustainable and efficient rate.

Plateforme de découverte de médicaments sur puce à hydrogel 3D

L’intestin joue un rôle central dans l’absorption des médicaments et des nanoparticules, et constitue donc une cible clé pour le développement de systèmes d’administration orale. Cependant, afin d’optimiser ces approches, de réduire les coûts et de limiter les expérimentations animales, un modèle in vitro biomimétique du tractus gastro-intestinal humain est nécessaire. Or, les modèles actuels demeurent trop simplistes, manquant souvent de structures extracellulaires réalistes. Dans ce contexte, les technologies microfluidiques offrent une solution prometteuse, car elles permettent de recréer un environnement tridimensionnel tout en assurant un suivi en temps réel de la libération, de l’absorption et de la distribution des médicaments.

Par ailleurs, des nanotransporteurs à base d’acides gras polyinsaturés seront conçus afin de faciliter l’administration intestinale et, selon leur structure, de traverser ou non la barrière épithéliale.

Sur le plan expérimental, le projet se concentrera sur l’optimisation des conditions d’impression d’hydrogels 3D, en utilisant à la fois une bioprinteuse et des modules propriétaires. Ces constructions imprimées intégreront des lignées cellulaires selon différentes architectures (mousse et multicouches), suivies d’une caractérisation approfondie et d’une évaluation de la viabilité à long terme. De plus, des bactéries seront encapsulées dans des liposomes à l’aide d’un système microfluidique innovant, permettant d’introduire une composante microbiome afin de renforcer le modèle d’intestin sur puce (gut-on-a-chip). Enfin, l’accès à des outils de caractérisation avancés (à l’échelle nanométrique) sera essentiel pour valider la robustesse et la reproductibilité du système.

Dans l’ensemble, ces avancées visent à établir une plateforme unique d’administration de médicaments mimant l’intestin humain.

Transforming R.I.S.E. Arts & Community Services Into A Social Enterprise

This project will support R.I.S.E. Arts and Community Services (RISE), a Greater Toronto-based youth-led arts organization that fosters self-expression and healing through the arts and develops pathways to artistic achievement and professionalization for emerging Black and racialized artists. RISE is affiliated with a for-profit entity called R.I.S.E. Edutainment; however, its operations are still overwhelmingly tied to a not-for-profit funding model, limiting its growth and capacity. This project will benefit RISE by developing a new business model in response to market research, restructuring to implement a robust social enterprise initiative, and allowing RISE to achieve financial sustainability while expanding its means of support for emerging artists and performers.

Computer Vision and Generative Machine Learning for Dynamic Gamified User Navigation

We will develop a gamified AI simulator to transform static maps into interactive games for training and navigation purposes, helping users improve their spatial skills and learn how to move through unfamiliar environments. The simulator will dynamically generate new game rules on maps to simulate real-world navigation scenarios and create games with varying levels of difficulty. This innovative project aims to revolutionize indoor navigation by enabling individuals to easily navigate complex indoor environments. The goal is to advance safety, accessibility, education, and training in Canada by facilitating pathfinding and strengthening spatial abilities.

Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Measuring Impact

Building on the success of Phase 1 of our research on Neurodiversity in the Workplace, which engaged HR professionals and neurodivergent individuals and produced a practical toolkit that generated strong interest and positive feedback, we are now entering Phase 2. This stage will focus on the real-world implementation of the toolkit, capturing case studies and success stories from organizations applying it or other resources to advance neurodiversity initiatives. In direct response to feedback from HR professionals, Phase 2 will highlight what successful adoption looks like, while also exploring barriers and developing measurable frameworks to assess impact. By shifting from awareness to evidence-based, practical application, this phase aims to provide organizations with tools to track progress, strengthen inclusion strategies, and support neurodivergent employees- aligning with CPHR Alberta’s mission to uphold high HR standards and ensure organizations remain competitive in attracting and retaining top talent.

FendrAI: Building an AI-Driven Risk Assurance Engine with Insights

Enterprise organizations are increasingly facing significant financial risks caused by hidden vendor overspend, billing errors, and non-compliance with contractual agreements. Traditional enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems often lack the intelligence and automation necessary to detect such discrepancies in real time. As a result, many organizations approve payments without properly validating invoice accuracy, leading to revenue leakage, prolonged disputes with vendors, and operational inefficiencies. This research project seeks to address these challenges by developing an AI-native model(s) designed to detect invoice anomalies and mitigate vendor overspending before payment approvals are processed. The proposed models integrate advanced natural language processing (NLP) techniques, machine learning (ML) models, and document intelligence technologies to build a robust solution capable of parsing complex invoices, analyzing contractual agreements, and detecting potential anomalies in real time. By doing so, the project aims to advance the state of the art in financial automation and risk management for large enterprises.