Innovative Projects Realized

L2M – JOYfuel

The project background for JOYfuel stems from the pervasive issue of current social media platforms, whose default algorithms often prioritize engagement over user well-being, leading to passive consumption, digital distraction, and a significant ‘time tax’ on individuals’ productivity and mental health. Laroye AI’s core business idea is JOYfuel, an AI-powered mobile application that provides a critically needed alternative by empowering users to set personal intentions (e.g., learning goals, wellness practices, skill development). Our AI then curates personalized, distraction-free content feeds from diverse online sources, allowing users to transform their “doomscroll” into a “productive scroll.” The clear industry need is for tools that restore user agency and make online time genuinely supportive of individual aspirations.

L2M – Plant based adhesives for a greener future

The goal of this research is to employ protein derived from canola meal, a readily accessible agricultural byproduct generated in Canada, to create a biodegradable, non-toxic adhesive. This breakthrough contributes to Canada’s agriculture sector, lowers environmental and health concerns in the wood production industry, and promotes the country’s green economy goals by eliminating synthetic, petroleum based adhesives.

L2M – Patient Repositioning Device

Healthcare workers face increasing challenges in protecting themselves from injuries caused by physically demanding tasks. One of the most injury-prone activities is repositioning patients in bed, such as sliding them up or down the mattress or turning them onto their side for sling placement and backside care. These tasks often require significant manual effort and involve awkward postures that can lead to musculoskeletal injuries. Our team is developing a motorized patient repositioning device designed to assist caregivers in safely and easily turning or moving patients in bed. This device will significantly reduce physical strain on staff, lower the risk of injury for workers, and increase the quality of care.

L2M –SynapPlay

This project aims to help older adults and people with neurological conditions such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease stay independent longer by developing a tablet-based digital therapeutic tool called SynapPlay. The platform combines physical and cognitive tasks with real-time feedback to improve balance, thinking skills, and motor control, all from the comfort of home. Through interviews and co-design workshops with older adults, caregivers, and healthcare providers, the project will identify key features and accessibility needs. The goal is to create a simple and effective home-based rehabilitation solution that supports healthy aging, reduces the burden on clinics, and builds on Canadian research to improve lives and strengthen digital health innovation.

L2M – NutraMate

The NutraMate project aims to revolutionize prescription management in pharmacies by implementing an AI-driven automation system that replaces traditional manual processes. Our cutting-edge technology will significantly reduce the documentation and data entry time while also having high accuracy and improving patient safety through advanced verification processes. Our product is seamlessly integrated into existing pharmacy workflows requiring no special training and low technological barrier for adoption. Our products offer wide range of services including inventory management, reducing operational costs, and enabling pharmacies to deliver faster, safer, and more reliable services.

The core objective of the NutraMate project is to enhance pharmacy operations by automating manual data entry and prescription management, which currently consume substantial time and resources. This shift towards AI automation will empower pharmacy staff to operate more efficiently, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks, improving both workflow efficiency and patient outcomes. Additionally, NutraMate will provide actionable data analytics to streamline inventory management for enabling better decision-making related to inventory and patient management

L2M – BioinformHER

Bioinformatics is fundamental to modern medicine, driving breakthroughs in cancer, pandemics, and disease understanding, however, while demand for this field continues to grow, its workforce still does not reflect the people it serves. Fewer than 20% of bioinformaticians are women, and less than 5.7% are Black [1]. This homogeneity reflects and perpetuates systemic biases across science leading to significant lost of innovation and non-inclusive research. This talent gap also hinders the industry’s ability to meet growing demand for skilled professionals.
BioinformHER is an EdTech platform solving this dual challenge. We are making bioinformatics education accessible, inspiring, and achievable for women and underrepresented minorities. Unlike typical online courses, we combine hands-on learning and community mentorship with powerful storytelling from female scientists who have overcome systemic barriers in the field. This approach helps learners build both confidence and skill. With over 7,500 engaged traction and 40 past interns, we are creating a more inclusive generation of scientists who ensure that biomedical research reflects and serves the challenges and overlooked problems of all communities, not just a select few. Unlike conventional MOOCs, which focus solely on content delivery, BioinformHER creates a supportive ecosystem where users see themselves reflected in instructors and mentors, making career success feel both possible and attainable. Our freemium model ensures that cost is not a barrier to entry and guarantees access to a self-sustaining engaging community of learners, while premium features options for personalized mentorship to create individualized, clear career pathways to foster the transition from learning to professional and career success.

Toward Accurate Bond Breaking: Revising Natural Orbital Functionals in RDMFT

This project aims to improve computational methods in quantum chemistry by developing better ways to calculate molecular properties. The research focuses on enhancing existing mathematical tools (called functionals) to make them more accurate, especially for molecular fragmentation processes. The project will create user-friendly software that will be freely available to scientists worldwide. For the participating institutions, this collaboration will strengthen their research capabilities: The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) will expand its expertise in quantum chemistry methods, while McMaster University will benefit from new international partnerships and improved computational tools. This partnership sets the foundation for future joint research projects between these institutions.

Scalable Quantum-Enhanced Generative Models for Drug Discovery: Extending QCBM with NQS and CUDA Quantum for Multi-target Inhibitor Design

This project proposes a scalable quantum-enhanced generative model for drug discovery, targeting the design of KRAS inhibitors through the integration of Neural Quantum States (NQS), Quantum Circuit Born Machines (QCBMs), and CUDA Quantum acceleration. By replacing traditional quantum circuits with adaptive NQS representations and extending QCBM capacity to 32 qubits, the framework enables more expressive and efficient sampling of molecular space. Reinforcement-inspired optimization and virtual screening tools are incorporated to refine molecule generation toward biologically relevant candidates. The platform aims to overcome current limitations in scalability and generalizability of quantum models, offering a fast, adaptive, and physically grounded approach to multi-target drug design.

Automated Ichnofabric Analysis with Deep Learning for Marine Core Research

This project proposes a completely novel workflow to automate the detection and quantification of bioturbation (i.e., biological sediment mixing by infaunal organisms) in deep-ocean sediment cores using the proven capabilities of neural networks in complex image interpretation. The new technique will enable precise, objective, and efficient quantification and identification of bioturbation types caused by infaunal activity, overcoming current limitations that rely on expert interpretation and require highly specialized ichnological training. The student exchange will bring a talented PhD student from a leading UK university to Western University, creating a valuable new international collaboration. It will expose Dr. Shchepetkina at Western University to a cutting-edge partnership in Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a world expert (Dr. John) at a top UK institution. The student is a recipient of the prestigious HSS Principal’s Doctoral Research Studentship—a scholarship awarded only to top students—and will contribute their expertise to Western University’s ongoing research for four months. This collaboration benefits Western University by enhancing its capacity in AI-driven science and establishing direct ties with world-leading AI knowledge from the UK. For the UK institution, it provides a unique international experience for a top student and strengthens global academic cooperation to advance critical research.

3D-Printed Thermoelectric Metamaterials

Thermoelectric materials present a promising solution for sustainable energy generation, offering the potential to complement existing energy systems in everyday applications. However, the performance of conventional thermoelectric materials is largely constrained by the intrinsic properties of their bulk constituents. To overcome these limitations, reducing material weight while enhancing efficiency, adaptability, and multifunctionality is essential.
One emerging strategy involves engineering the micro- and meso-architectures of thermoelectric materials. By tailoring and optimizing their internal geometries, it becomes possible to significantly improve performance characteristics beyond what is achievable with bulk materials alone. Although the rational design of such complex micro- and macrostructures is increasingly feasible through computational methods, the fabrication of these architected materials—particularly those with intricate and precise geometries—remains a major technological challenge.
This project seeks to address this gap through a collaborative research effort between McGill University and the Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). The aim is to develop advanced manufacturing approaches and structural designs for next-generation thermoelectric metamaterials, enabling breakthroughs in both performance and practical deployment.

L2M – BIM-Enabled Multi-Criteria Decision-Making: Towards Efficient Building Element Selection

The project focuses on creating a new software tool that combines multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods with BIM, a 3D digital modeling system used in construction. This tool will assist architects, engineers, and builders in selecting materials and elements by evaluating multiple criteria, such as cost, durability, and their environmental impact. By addressing challenges like too much data and fragmented decision-making, the tool aims to streamline workflows and reduce errors.
For the partner organization, the tool is expected to enhance project efficiency, lower costs, and improve the ability to meet sustainability goals. This could lead to more successful projects that are also better for the environment, aligning with market demands for greener construction practices.

L2M – Link Between Worlds

Link Between Worlds is a project that combines play therapy techniques and teaching creative expression to Indigenous peoples and communities that typically are not given a voice. The objective of Link Between Worlds, through an intensive/retreat format, is to teach and provide a safe space for indigenous people to grow and learn skills in storytelling/filmmaking, creating an outlet for image discovery, cultural retention, career ownership, entrepreneurship and healing through storytelling. Delivery in a traditional “with the land” setting encourages familiarity and group participation. Participants will acquire many tools to embark on a refreshed perspective on life.
The challenges we are facing are rooted in the differences between each indigenous community from a presentation/facilitation perspective. Additional challenges include determining which market would be our best primary customer, Governments/Bands, Institutions/Treatment centers or individuals. Lastly, scalability is another challenge we seek to overcome.
Launch will provide insight into our marketing strategy, aid in constructing our pilot offering, and assisting in determining our primary targets.