Innovative Projects Realized

The importance of Adiponectin signaling during cardiac remodeling

Many reports have established a correlation between obesity and diabetes with cardiovascular complications such as heart failure. This occurs due to changes in the structure and function of the heart, yet the precise mechanisms responsible for regulating these changes in diabetes remain to be determined. This project will focus on the role played by a substance (adiponectin) which is released from fat cells. Upon release, adiponectin can travel in the bloodstream to have effects in the heart. Interestingly, the amount of adiponectin circulating in the blood decreases in obese and diabetic individuals. We intend to determine how too much or too little adiponectin alters the structure and function of the heart. By conducting experiments on heart cells grown in the laboratory and in mice which have been genetically engineered to not produce adiponectin, the effect of adiponectin on survival or death of heart cells and the composition of the structural matrix (primarily made of collagen) which supports the normal funtion of the heart will be investigated. Research has shown cardioprotective effects of adiponectin and this has generated tremendous interest in recent years about its therapeutic potential.

Lancement d’une application en fintech – Comment les universités peuvent permettre de réaliser un bon “go-to market”

Dans le cadre de ce projet, le stagiaire accompagnera Bounce, une jeune fintech montréalaise, dans le développement et la mise en marché de son application financière destinée aux étudiants. Plus précisément, le projet vise à concevoir un plan de lancement ciblé pour le milieu universitaire. Le stagiaire analysera les meilleures pratiques de mise en marché, identifiera les leviers d’adoption chez les étudiants et proposera une stratégie concrète pour bâtir une communauté d’utilisateurs. L’objectif est de construire un plan structuré, adaptable à d’autres établissements, afin d’appuyer la croissance de Bounce. Le projet permettra à l’entreprise de maximiser l’impact de son lancement, d’accélérer son développement et de renforcer son positionnement auprès des communautés étudiantes.

G-FIT Wellness App

This project will be led by one intern and aims to enhance the GFIT Wellness app by developing and integrating two main features: (1) a Workout Logging System, and (2) a Smart Workout Generator powered by wearable device data. The intern will manage all aspects of the project—from backend development to front-end integration—while applying Agile Scrum methodology to ensure iterative progress, client collaboration, and responsiveness to feedback.

Development of an individualized objective-testing app that can establish and analyze cognitive key performance indicators by leveraging artificial intelligence

Cognitive Check is an organization committed to improving diagnosis, management and outcomes of mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) such as concussions through an innovative health technology app. The purpose of Cognitive Check aligns with Centennial College and WIMTACHS business strategy and ethos of digital health technology innovation and applied research in healthcare technology. The goal of the partnership is to create an individualized objective-testing app that can establish and analyze cognitive key performance indicators by leveraging artificial intelligence.

Construction of a dataset for deep learning for pulmonary embolism in 3D V/Q SPECT

This summer internship aims to build an annotated dataset for pulmonary embolism (PE) detection on ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) SPECT scans using diverse and multicenter imaging studies. This involves data cleaning, data categorization, and annotation of perfusion defects consistent with the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, and then use these data to train and validate diagnostic AI models for automatic segmentation of V/Q SPECT mismatches and classification of PE. The intern will contribute to analysis and results dissemination through a final report and publication.

Mahseer on the move: Exploring the post-release behaviour and movement of mahseer (Tor spp.) after catch-and-release angling using biotelemetry

Recreational fishing is a popular activity worldwide that contributes an estimated $190B USD in expenditures to the global economy each year. Contrasting the economic benefits of the activity is an array of ecological and biological impacts. Catch-and-release fishing, the act of returning a fish to water (presumably unharmed) after landing, has become an increasingly popular strategy to mitigate these impacts. Yet, different species respond differently to catch-and-release practices. Our proposed study intends to evaluate the impacts of catch-and-release fishing on the Deccan mahseer, an endangered species from southern India that is highly popular with recreational anglers. Using biotelemetry to track the angled fish, we will learn about the role catch-and-release plays in their survival, movements and habitat use. As this project represents the first effort to describe mahseer habitat use and movements, we expect that the results of this study will provide managers and decision-makers with much-needed baseline information that will aid them in making informed decisions for managing fisheries and other activities that impact these species and in developing sound conservation strategies for the species.

TRLUP – Smart Vibration Sensing for Appliance Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance

This project will advance a classroom prototype called Laundri-Buddi toward a market-ready product. Laundri-Buddi is a smart, battery-powered sensor that uses vibration sensing to monitor the activity of appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and small industrial equipment. The device detects when a machine’s operational cycle starts and ends, and wirelessly sends that information to a nearby gateway—helping users avoid unnecessary wait times and enabling operators to track machine usage. It also collects vibration data that can be used to predict maintenance needs before breakdowns occur. Unlike traditional systems that require constant power and Wi-Fi setup, this sensor is designed to run for up to a year on a coin cell battery and can be installed in seconds. With support from Springboard Atlantic, this work will help bring a Canadian-made predictive maintenance solution closer to commercial use, benefiting both operators and end users.

TRLUP-NeuroScope – wearable, AI-integrated, portable EEG device

Current EEG (electroencephalogram) systems used in clinical and diagnostic settings are often bulky, expensive, and require patients to remain in a controlled environment for extended periods. This limits their accessibility and practicality, especially for patients suffering from neurological conditions such as epilepsy who require continuous, long-term brain monitoring to detect abnormal brain activity and predict seizures. This project aims to develop a wearable, AI-integrated, portable EEG device that is compact, affordable, and capable of real-time brainwave monitoring with automated alerts.

Enhancing Community Engagement and Digital Marketing Strategies for Co-Working Innovation

This project aims to help Sunnyholme Real Estate, which operates The Connect Hub co-working space in Guelph, improve how it connects with its members and grows its community. The intern will design and implement new digital marketing and event management tools to attract more tenants, increase event participation, and provide better service. By creating automated systems for outreach, feedback, and engagement, the project will help Sunnyholme operate more efficiently, support local entrepreneurs, and serve as a model for other co-working spaces in Canada.

Development of a Multimodal AI System for Analyzing Canine Behavior and Emotions Using Smart Collar Data and Video Data

This project aims to help humans better understand their dogs by using artificial intelligence. Over four months, interns will develop AI models that can recognize dog behaviors—such as sitting, lying down, or showing signs of pain—by analyzing video, sound, and movement data collected from cameras or wearable devices. The research also includes developing tools to understand how people talk to their dogs, including commands and emotional tone.

By combining these technologies, the project will support the creation of a smart dog collar that can detect behaviors, alert owners to potential emergencies, and promote better care. The partner organization, BeroAI, will use the results to build next-generation pet technology that strengthens the bond between pets and their owners while improving animal health and well-being.

Cytokine profile in women with cervical insufficiency

Cervical insufficiency (CI) is a condition in which the cervix prematurely shortens and dilates during pregnancy, typically resulting in mid-trimester pregnancy loss or premature labour. The causes of CI are currently unknown. However, recent studies have associated abnormalities in immune system regulation with pregnancy complications such as spontaneous abortion and premature birth. Since the immune system is regulated by circulating molecules known as cytokines, abnormal cytokine regulation could be associated with these pregnancy complications and with cervical insufficiency. Our goal is to detect and measure cytokine levels in samples of blood and cervical fluid from normal women and women with CI. By comparing normal samples versus CI samples, we expect to detect significant differences in the cytokine levels that could be used as a footprint to trace and further investigate the biological processes that are involved in the development of CI.

Performance de l’ADN environnemental pour l’identification des sites de fraie de l’éperlan arc-en-ciel et du gaspareau sur la côte du Nouveau Brunswick

Ce projet vise à évaluer la performance de l’ADN environnemental comme technique de détection des sites de fraie de l’éperlan arc-en-ciel et de gaspareau dans les rivières côtières du Nouveau-Brunswick à partir d’un large échantillonnage réalisé par notre partenaire (Vision H2O) dans les dernières années. Ces informations représentant une information critique dans la gestion de ces espèces de poissons exploitées par la pêche commerciale et récréative. Les données de présence des espèces seront utilisées afin de paramétrer un modèle de niche numérique prédisant l’utilisation potentielle des rivières non échantillonnées. Ces modèles permettront aussi d’établir les facteurs les plus importants dans la détermination de la présence des espèces dans les rivières côtières de la province.