Innovative Projects Realized

The Assessment and Evaluation of Physical and Biochemical Measurements for Leading Indicators to Injury and Illness for Canadian Association of Petroleum Producing workers

The goal of this research project is to explore the current definition of obesity along with the association of body fat distribution and biochemical markers with serious health conditions. Our investigation will employ the utilization of the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (the current gold standard to measure body fat percentage, subcutaneous body fat and visceral body fat) to more accurately define obesity and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors. We will also explore the functional interaction of cardiometabolic risk factors and adipose tissue derived cytokines with adiposity and insulin resistance to improve the assessment of worker in isolated work environments. Lastly, from the physical and biochemical measurements we will create a health risk matrix to be implement as a tool to assess the improvement and/or deterioration in health status of the oil and gas workforce of Newfoundland and Labrador. This research project will look to improve upon the current definition/assessment of obesity and demonstrate the importance of body fat distribution regarding cardiovascular metabolic risk for oil and gas workers of Newfoundland and Labrador

Waste diversion becomes art inspiring education

Working with Sunnybrook hospital’s Green Task Force, we will be collecting information on their reduction of material and textile waste, innovative technologies as to the process of change, and then creating an interactive art piece in the central lobby to showcase the advancements and celebrations that these new processes have helped the hospital, the diversion from waste, and the planet but irradiating single use waste in the medical system

Influence of plant chemical diversity on the insect herbivore

Aphids are one of the most destructive pests of agricultural and horticultural crops, damaging plants through their feeding and also by vectoring plant pathogens. In Canada, crop losses due to aphids and the pathogens they vector are significant and forecast to increase as global warming progresses and new aphid species become established with more generations expected during longer summers and lower mortality predicted due to milder winters. This research focuses on understanding how host plant chemical diversity affects two aphid species, the green peach aphid and the black bean aphid, and addresses important agricultural and ecological questions such as whether aphids preferentially feed on host ecotypes that are less chemically diverse, how this affects their performance and if aphids are able to sequester plant-derived compounds. This collaborative research project draws on expertise from both McGill University and the University of Bielefeld in plant chemical ecology, aphid biology and plant-insect interactions to understand how intraspecific chemodiversity shapes plant-insect interactions to provide fundamental insights into plant chemical ecology as well as critical information that may be applied in agriculture to optimize sustainable management practices.

Micro-compounding Techniques for Optimizing ecoFibre-Polymer Composites

FibeCycle is committed to advancing the recycling of EOL composite materials into high-value, sustainable products. By sourcing EOL wind turbine blades and other composite materials, FibeCycle’s ecoFibre offers a sustainable alternative to virgin glass fibers. However, the variability in the chemical and physical properties of these recycled fibers necessitates careful consideration of their compatibility with different polymers.
Rapid micro-compounding tests provide a powerful tool for efficiently exploring a wide range of formulations. These tests enable the evaluation of small batches of polymer composites, allowing for relatively rapid iteration and optimization. This approach not only reduces the time and cost associated with traditional compounding methods but also accelerates the identification of optimal formulations that maximize the mechanical properties of the resulting composite materials.

Investigating the role of probiotics in cell death and intestinalbarrier integrity

Our gastro-intestinal tract is colonized by billions of microorganisms that constitute the intestinal flora or microbiota. These microorganisms, primarily bacteria, are required for our development and physiology; however, changes in the “normal” composition of the microbiota, referred to as dysbiosis, have been linked to chronic inflammatory diseases in humans. Currently, a major research effort is to understand what these commensal bacteria are, how they maintain health, and how their dysregulation causes disease. Probiotic bacteria supplementation constitutes an attractive therapeutic strategy for inflammatory diseases and are investigated in this project to understand how they interact with intestinal epithelial cells to regulate barrier integrity. Our specific aim is to interrogate whether a probiotic combination, consisting of three commensal bacterial strains, maintains intestinal barrier function by modulation programmed cell death, specifically, an inflammatory form termed necroptosis. We aim to understand the triggers of intestinal epithelial cell death, how the probiotics regulate its induction and the consequences on inflammation and disease.

L’intention d’entreprendre en collectif chez les jeunes au Québec : Valeurs, motivations et dynamiques de l’économie sociale

Ce projet de recherche s’intéresse aux jeunes Québécois de 18 à 35 ans et à leur intérêt pour l’entrepreneuriat en économie sociale. Il vise à mieux comprendre leurs motivations, leurs valeurs et la dynamique collective qui les anime, tout en mettant en lumière ce qui distingue cette approche des modèles entrepreneuriaux plus individualistes.
L’entrepreneuriat collectif, fondé sur la solidarité et la participation, répond à des défis sociaux majeurs, notamment en région où son impact est structurant. Pourtant, il demeure peu représenté dans les politiques publiques et encore mal compris. Ce projet comblera ce manque en apportant des connaissances essentielles sur les aspirations des jeunes et en aidant le Chantier de l’économie sociale à développer des outils et programmes adaptés.
Les résultats attendus permettront de mieux soutenir les jeunes entrepreneurs collectifs et de valoriser ce modèle auprès des décideurs publics. À terme, cette initiative contribuera à renforcer l’économie sociale et à générer des retombées positives pour les jeunes, leurs communautés et l’ensemble du Canada

The R&D project focusing on ingredient extraction and subsequent product formulation

This project focuses on developing a natural ingredient from fruit waste to be used in an agricultural product called a biostimulant, which helps plants grow better. The intern(s) will first work on extracting this ingredient using a special process that ensures it has the right properties for the final product. Then, they will mix and test the biostimulant to check how well it dissolves and flows, which are important factors for its use in farming. The goal is to create a high-quality, easy-to-use product that can be applied to crops effectively.

The partner organization will benefit from this research by gaining a reliable and efficient method for making their biostimulant. This will help them bring a new, eco-friendly agricultural product to market, supporting sustainable farming practices. If successful, the project could lead to further development, commercialization, and wider adoption of the product, benefiting both the company and the farming industry.

PRISM Development/Enhancements

PRISM is a proprietary LAMP stack-based platform developed by Levis Tech, a software development consultancy headquartered in Saskatoon. Serving as the backbone for approximately 90% of the company’s projects, PRISM represents over 15 years of accumulated intellectual property and technological advancements.

This project focuses on enhancing key components of PRISM to ensure continued innovation and usability. The planned improvements include:

1. E-commerce Module Enhancements: Refining cart functionality to improve user experience and streamline the checkout process.
2. Modular Extension Improvements: Optimizing module extension capabilities to accelerate the development of new applications by leveraging existing features and modules.
3. Code Modernization: Adapting the platform to align with new industry standards, improving the quality, security, and maintainability of the generated applications.
These upgrades aim to strengthen PRISM’s core functionality, maintain its competitive edge, and support the delivery of high-quality, secure solutions for clients.

Surface modification of Petcoke Activated Carbon for Removal of Recalcitrant Naphthenic Acids from Oil Sands Process Effected Waters

The oil sands industry in Alberta, Canada, generates large amounts of wastewater, known as oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), which contains high levels of toxic naphthenic acids (NAs). NAs, which can reach concentrations of up to 120 mg/L, are the main contributors to the water’s toxicity, posing significant risks to nearby ecosystems like the Athabasca River. This research seeks to develop a cost-effective remediation solution by using adsorbent activated carbon materials made from petroleum coke (petcoke), a waste by-product of oil sands extraction. While traditional petcoke-based activated carbon can absorb many contaminants, certain complex NAs are difficult to remove. The study aims to enhance these activated carbon adsorbents by chemically modifying them with amines, nitrogen-containing compounds that improve the capture of stubborn NAs. Various chemical methods will be explored to attach these amines to the carbon surface, and the modified materials will be tested to measure their effectiveness in removing NAs from OSPW. The goal is to create an affordable and scalable treatment process that can significantly reduce the environmental impact of OSPW, offering a sustainable solution to wastewater management in the oil sands industry.

Researching strategic and business opportunities: using AI to foster animal (pet) health

Empawerpet (empawerpet.com) is pioneering the field of canine mental health diagnostics through their veterinary clinic-based biomarker testing platform. While they have established a foundation in biochemical analysis, they recognize the need to expand their diagnostic capabilities through a new AI non-invasive, accessible methods. The company is therefore interested in expanding their current clinic-based biomarker testing platform techniques by adding an AI-powered video analysis platform that can evaluate dogs’ behavioral patterns to assess their mental well-being, complementing their existing biomarker testing.

Expanding virtual learning and teaching resources at VanDusen Botanical Gardens for formal and non-formal learning spaces.

The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) is a non-profit organization that collaborates with the Vancouver Park Board to manage both the Bloedel Conservatory and VanDusen Botanical Garden. Their goal is to help people of all ages understand the importance of biodiversity and to inspire a lasting love for plants and gardens through various programs and services. The VBGA offers educational programs, volunteer opportunities, memberships, and fundraising initiatives to support their mission. In response to the growing interest in environmental education, they provide engaging field trips for students and teachers. Building on a successful project support by Mitacs that created virtual field trips for the Bloedel Conservatory, the VBGA is now working with our returning intern, Poh Tan, to make VanDusen Botanical Garden more accessible to students and teachers, especially those from rural and remote areas who may face challenges such as travel costs and availability of chaperones. Together with the educational team, Poh plans to develop virtual and blended field trips aligned with school curricula for kindergarten to grade 12 students across British Columbia. By partnering with international botanical gardens and environmental organizations, the VBGA aims to create enriching learning experiences that deepen understanding and connection to plants and the environment. This initiative aligns with VBGA’s strategic goals and involves collaboration with educational teams and community stakeholders to offer virtual field trips that explore topics like British Columbia’s coastal temperate rainforest and the effects of climate change on biodiversity. Through these efforts, the VBGA seeks to provide free virtual access to the gardens for classrooms beyond the Lower Mainland, fostering environmental awareness and education among a broader audience.

Business Model Innovation with the Cansbridge Fellowship

The Cansbridge Fellowship, a leading Canadian non-profit dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial leadership, seeks to modernize its operations and programs to better serve students and ensure long-term sustainability. This project will bring in specialized interns to tackle key challenges, including redesigning the business model for financial stability, optimizing programs to meet the evolving needs of students post-pandemic, and improving marketing strategies to boost visibility and engagement. By leveraging expertise in areas like financial modeling, design thinking, and digital marketing, the project aims to create innovative solutions that strengthen the Fellowship’s impact and solidify its role in developing Canada’s next generation of innovators.