Innovative Projects Realized

Development of an AI-based solutions to predict absenteeism

Employee absenteeism presents significant challenges for organizations, affecting productivity, team morale, and operational efficiency. Accurately predicting absenteeism enables businesses to proactively address its underlying causes, optimize workforce planning, and minimize disruptions. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) provide robust methods for analyzing complex datasets to uncover patterns associated with absentee behavior.
This project aims to develop an AI-based solution to efficiently predict absenteeism in organizational contexts. Leveraging a large dataset collected by an industrial partner with expertise in workforce and performance analytics, the project will focus on designing and evaluating ML/DL models. The primary goal is to create models capable of delivering high accuracy while generalizing effectively across datasets with similar attributes, ensuring broad applicability.

A Novel Drug for Treating Opioid Withdrawal

BC is experiencing an opioid crisis beset with an alarming number of overdoses and related deaths. Symptoms of withdrawal are a significant factor in perpetuating opioid addiction and a common cause of relapse. Therefore, treatments for withdrawal are highly desirable and commonly used in the first steps of opioid reduction strategies. Enkephalins are natural compounds in the body that have been previously identified to limit symptoms of withdrawal, but their instability has hindered their clinical application. In this study, a modified enkephalin analogue (KK-103) with improved stability will be evaluated in its ability to reduce withdrawal behaviors in mice models. The intern is expected to gain experience in the chemical synthesis of peptides, and the standard procedures, safety measures, and quality assurance standards pertaining to mice models, along with statistical analysis of the generated data. If successful, KK-103 could serve as a novel therapeutic treatment for opioid withdrawal by clinicians at VGH and contribute towards efforts combatting opioid-related deaths in BC.

Analyse de la cinématique des chutes en escalade de bloc et des conditions d’impact sur les matelas de protection

Ce projet de recherche vise à analyser les chutes en escalade de bloc et les conditions d’impact sur les matelas de protection. Après une première étude menée en France auprès d’un public généraliste, cette nouvelle phase se concentrera sur un panel de grimpeur.euses canadien.ne.s, comprenant des expert.es et jeunes expert.es. L’objectif est d’intégrer les spécificités des profils de haut niveau pour mieux comprendre les dynamiques des chutes et améliorer la sécurité.

Le protocole expérimental développé en France sera adapté à cette nouvelle population. Dans ce cadre, la bibliothèque Python open-source Pose2Sim sera utilisée pour obtenir la cinématique 3D des personnes filmées sans marqueurs. Le projet inclut des évolutions visant à automatiser davantage le traitement des vidéos et à affiner l’analyse des données obtenues, en s’appuyant sur les enseignements tirés de l’étude précédente.

Les résultats attendus permettront d’identifier des scénarios de chutes propres aux grimpeur.euses expert.es et de les comparer à ceux observés dans le public généraliste. Ces scénarios serviront ensuite à alimenter une simulation numérique pour modéliser les mécanismes de blessure lors d’accidents en escalade de bloc. Cette approche contribuera à mieux comprendre les facteurs de blessures et à développer des matelas de protection plus performants.

A New Method of Designing a Clock Multiplier

This project aims to develop a new method to design clock frequency multipliers. This game-changing technology can overcome the limitations of conventional clock frequency multipliers and can potentially introduce a new paradigm in high-speed circuit design. Such novel technology will position ESS Technology as the leading semiconductor company specializing in the design of future-generation high-speed electronic devices. ESS Technology is currently expanding its R&D activities, and plans to build a strong design team based in Kelowna. The company is keen to recruit multiple talented UBC graduate students as interns to participate the proposed research. These graduate students will potentially be employed full-time by ESS Technology. The creation of these hi-tech jobs will make positive economic impact on the high-tech, particularly the integrated circuit industry, in Western Canada and Okanagan Valley.

Comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis of Shellac: From Production to Environmental Impact

This project focuses on creating eco-friendly, recyclable transportation cards using shellac, a biodegradable and sustainable material. Traditional plastic cards contribute significantly to waste and CO2 emissions, while shellac offers a greener alternative that can be combined with recyclable paper substrates. By conducting a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of shellac materials, this research will evaluate their environmental benefits and potential for large-scale adoption in urban transit systems. The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of public infrastructure and promote sustainable practices in cities worldwide.

Canagliflozin to improve enzalutamide response and suppress resistance in hormone-sensitive and castrate resistant prostate cancer (PrCa).

In this study, researchers aim to investigate whether canagliflozin, an anti-diabetic agent, can enhance the effectiveness of enzalutamide in preclinical models of prostate cancer (PrCa). Prostate cancer often becomes resistant to current therapies, such as enzalutamide, due to various molecular pathways. Canagliflozin has shown promise in suppressing these pathways in prostate cancer cells and tumors, potentially inhibiting their growth and survival. Preliminary experiments suggest that canagliflozin could improve enzalutamide’s ability to suppress cancer cell proliferation and survival in both early and advanced stages of prostate cancer.
The study will test canagliflozin and enzalutamide combinations in vitro and in vivo using prostate cancer models. Researchers will assess if this combination therapy can effectively control prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and androgen receptor (AR) expression, crucial biomarkers in prostate cancer progression. Additionally, they aim to determine whether canagliflozin can prevent the development of resistance to enzalutamide.
Methods will include cell culture experiments, tumor growth studies, and molecular analyses to understand the mechanisms behind the drugs’ effects. Successful outcomes from this research could prompt clinical trials to explore this combination therapy further, potentially offering new treatment options for prostate cancer patients.

Nouveaux fluorophores organiques inspirés de la rhodamine pour le marquage cellulaire

Ce projet vise à optimiser de nouveaux marqueurs fluorescents non toxiques pour le marquage et l’imagerie de cellules vivantes par microscopie de fluorescence. Cette optimisation se fera sur la base des propriétés spectrales des molécules fluorescentes, mais aussi leurs propriétés biologiques. L’organisation partenaire, Saguaro Biosciences, commercialise ChromaLive et est pionnière dans le développement de marqueurs fluorescents non toxiques pour le suivi et l’imagerie dans le temps de cellules vivantes. Cette technologie est particulièrement pertinente dans le cadre de criblages phénotypiques, pour la découverte de nouvelles molécules thérapeutiques ainsi que le développement de traitements en médecine personnalisée.

Communication and control techniques to manage spraying under precision agriculture schemes

Spot application of pesticides is one aspect of precision agriculture technology that may have promising economic, environmental and social benefits. However, the practical application of this technology is faced by several challenges including accurate detection of pests, simultaneous control of multiple nozzles, and formulation of suitable droplets under continuous opening and closure of nozzles. This internship program, which is a part of an ongoing project on real-time spot application, aims to create an opportunity for highly qualified personnel (HQP) to exchange ideas on how to tackle these challenges. As such, the first focus point of this internship will be on nozzle control technology for sprayers of different numbers of nozzles. The goal in studying nozzle control is to understand the requirements associated with scaling up and down the size of the sprayer to fit different cropping systems in India and Canada. The second focus point will be on the efficacy of spraying at on-the-go conditions when deploying the technology at potato fields in Canada. For this, the internship will include actual deployment of a spot spraying system during which the HQPs will evaluate different performance parameters including timing of spraying, the ability to hit targets on-the-go, spray distribution, etc.

Role of PepStim products on plant growth and osmotic stress mitigation

Population growth and reductions in arable productive soils around the globe have triggered a range of efforts to improve plant yield and harvest quality, including the development of more low-cost, environmentally sustainable, and reasonable approaches. Most of the attempts made to increase crop production are dependent on the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers to reinforce the mineral nutrient requirements of plants. Karyotica Labs Inc. has created proprietary technology for producing a biostimulant (PepStim) that increases plant growth and yields while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. This project aims to examine how PepStim products can affect plant growth and tolerance to environmental stress. This project will help in understanding which mode of application is effective in enhancing plant growth. This will also help in making an appropriate recommendation to Canadian farmers on enhancing crop productivity and tolerance to salinity and drought stress with little chemical fertilizer use.

Développement d’outils de formation destinés aux producteurs agricoles sur les risques à la santé et les moyens de prévention des risques associés aux phénomènes climatiques extrêmes

Ce projet vise à développer des outils de formation sur les risques à la santé et les mesures de prévention prometteuses à l’intention des producteurs agricoles et des intervenants en santé au travail. Les risques à la santé considérés dans ce projet sont de diverses natures : physiques, chimiques, biologiques et psychosociaux. Pour la réalisation de ce projet de recherche, des outils seront développés à partir d’une recension des écrits scientifiques. L’exploitation des scénarios climatiques régionaux servira à identifier les risques les plus fréquents à survenir et la consultation des parties prenantes du milieu agricole permettra de valider les résultats et les outils développés.

L2M-Shipping rate forecasting using deep learning solutions

In the complex and ever-evolving realm of shipping investments and operations, informed decision-making stands
as a cornerstone of success. Within Soshianest Inc., the primary focus lies in providing precise and reliable
freight rate forecasts. Through the utilization of state-of-the-art AI models, the company aims to enhance
shipping strategies, enable data-driven decision-making, and adeptly maneuver through market variations with
assurance .

Our objective is to implement advanced Time Series Forecasting (TSF) methodologies to forecast shipping rates
within the dynamic shipping markets. Leveraging historical shipping feature datasets and supplementary
resources such as up-to-date economic news, our goal is to meticulously analyze the historical trends and
harness generative AI techniques to achieve precise and reliable predictions of shipping freight rates.

A critical gap in our project lies in the limited interaction with individuals employed in maritime-related enterprises.
This absence necessitates the formulation of various assumptions to address issues such as missing data.
Leveraging this invaluable wellspring of firsthand experience, rooted in human interactions with the available
data, has the potential to introduce significant value and enhancements to the framework’s design.

L2M-Sustainable Wastepaper Cushioning Foam and its Commercialization

We propose the development and commercialization of biodegradable wastepaper foam as a viable alternative to traditional synthetic materials. Our solution aims to address the environmental challenges posed by non-biodegradable packaging materials while providing effective cushioning protection for a wide range of products, spanning from lightweight to heavyweight products.