Innovative Projects Realized

Unveiling the Structure of Science: An Information-Theoretic Approach to Co-citation Analysis

The project “Unveiling the Structure of Science: An Information-Theoretic Approach to Co-citation Analysis” aims to advance our understanding of the interconnected landscape of scientific research by applying principles of information theory to co-citation networks. By identifying significant intellectual linkages across disciplines, countries, and institutions, this research seeks to illuminate the underlying patterns and dynamics that shape the evolution of scientific knowledge.

How spatial organization can promote the formation of complex objects

This research project, to be undertaken during a 4-month internship at Arizona State University, aims to develop an artificial chemistry system to investigate the influence of pore system topology on molecular complexity, using Assembly Theory as a measure. The project’s significance lies in its potential to enhance our understanding of Assembly Theory, with implications for various industrial sectors, including pharmaceuticals, materials science, synthetic biology, and environmental science. By linking the research to the origin of life, the project could provide insights into new methods of carbon fixation/sequestration, crucial for addressing climate change. The project will also strengthen Canada’s innovation capacity by fostering expertise in the Origin of Life and Assembly Theory, areas currently underrepresented in Canadian research. Furthermore, it will create collaboration opportunities within Canada, linking research conducted in Canadian organizations with the origin of life research at ASU, and benefiting public and private sector partnerships in fields such as artificial intelligence and drug discovery.

Evaluating an Anti-Racism Training for Healthcare Workers

Racism permeates and is upheld by institutions such as healthcare, with deleterious impacts for patients and
healthcare workers. Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)–a regional health authority—has more than 29,000 workers
providing services to over 1.25 million people. They will be piloting an anti-racism training they created for workers
as part of their larger Anti-Racism Action Plan. Prior research has highlighted the importance of evaluating anti-racism
trainings. This project seeks to evaluate whether participating in an anti-racism training increases
participants’ knowledge and awareness of institutional racism, integration of skills (e.g., confidence to intervene
when witnessing racism), and feelings of workplace psychological safety immediately after the training and 8 weeks
later. Additionally, do participant characteristics such as race and baseline concerns about racism impact the
effectiveness? Results of this study will inform future iterations of the anti-racism training that will be used in the full
rollout. An effective anti-racism training has the potential to improve VCH’s workplace climate, increase retention
and promotion of racialized minorities, and better health outcomes for patients.

Planification de la production hydroélectrique à court terme à l’aide de l’apprentissage par renforcement

Ce projet vise à développer différents modèles d’algorithmes d’apprentissage automatique afin de planifier la production hydroélectrique à court terme. La résolution de ce problème permet d’obtenir les débits, les volumes et les turbines en marche pour toutes les centrales d’un système de production hydroélectrique. Ayant accès à plusieurs années de données historiques, celles-ci seront exploitées afin de développer un modèle d’apprentissage par renforcement afin de l’intégrer aux modèles d’optimisation couramment utilisés afin de résoudre le problème de planification à court terme. Le Canada produit 63% de son énergie par l’hydroélectricité tandis que cette valeur est de 99% au Québec. Le développement de nouvelles méthodologies permet de gérer les systèmes de production plus efficacement afin de produire le plus d’énergie possible avec la quantité d’eau disponible.

Response of moose forage to disturbances in central British Columbia

Moose are often assumed to benefit from disturbances because of the flush in plants they eat (forage) occurring shortly after. However, the response of moose to disturbances is complex, with moose numbers documented as increasing or decreasing as disturbances increase. Disturbances can alter the quantity and nutritional quality of forage available to moose. The change in forage following disturbances is not well understood but is important because forage is a key driver in how moose use their habitat and how many moose a landscape can support.
This research investigates summer forage quantity and quality across three disturbance types through time: (1) clearcuts, (2) forests that were burned and planted with trees, (3) forests that were burned and have natural tree growth. We will also investigate how moose are using these disturbances. This knowledge will be used to better understand the mechanisms contributing to moose population change (increases or declines).

EMG Driven Human-Humanoid Robot Interaction

The electromyography (EMG) signals are biological signals, which are related to the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. To measure and analyze EMG signals, we will use noninvasive EMG surface electrodes. The EMG signals allow knowing the intention of the movement before that the movement happens; this is because of the electromechanical delay of the muscle. The proposed project would exploit this property to generate humanoid robot movements in order to interact properly with a human being. We are planning to develop a unified framework for EMG signals processing and controlling a humanoid robot. The developed system will help generating cooperative tasks between an experimental humanoid robot (Nao robot) and a human being.

Creating a genome-wide CRISPR interference functional genomic library in Candida albicans to study fungal gastrointestinal colonization

Candida albicans is an important human fungal pathogen and commensal member of the microbiota. It colonizes the skin, gut, and reproductive tract of most healthy individuals without complications – a state known as commensalism. However under conditions that weaken the immune system, antibiotic use, and damage to the lining of the gut, C. albicans can cause life-threatening systemic infections. These infections often originate from the gut whereby C. albicans translocates into the bloodstream and causes damage to its host, as a pathogen. Recent research has focused on understanding C. albicans as a pathogen and less so on its commensalism. This proposed research project aims to understand how different genetic factors may play a role in C. albicans colonization of the gut, using a gene editing tool, called CRISPR interference (CRISPRi). We will also use a murine model of gastrointestinal colonization developed and optimized by the host laboratory (Dr. Ilse Jacobsen) to screen >35,000 mutant strains and determine which genes in the C. albicans genome are important for colonization and survival in the gut. This research holds potential for understanding C. albicans commensal lifestyle, inform us of possible strategies to prevent infection, and deepen our understanding of C. albicans biology altogether.

Community Outreach Support

Established in 1984 and located in Winnipeg’s inner city, the North End Women’s Centre is a drop-in resource centre focused on providing support and services to women and gender diverse individuals in need. The NEWC’s mission is to promote a safe space for healing and recovery through community support and engagement in team-building activities that target enjoyment and foster both individual and communal empowerment. The centre offers transitional housing, health education and resources, holistic counselling, outreach, community activities, and affordable items through their associated thrift shop.
Like many non-profits, the North End Women’s Centre is struggling with a lack of resources and capacity to effectively connect with community members and carry out their mandate to support women and gender-diverse individuals in the North End. The Community Outreach Support project aims to support the North End Women’s Centre in planning and organizing community events to engage and empower North End community members, acting as a first point of contact for vulnerable individuals to engage with the centre and access the life-changing resources they provide. The intern will increase the capacity of NEWC to develop, execute and improve their programming while gaining valuable experience.

PaceZero BSI 2024

PaceZero Capital Partners Ltd. (“PaceZero”) is a sustainability-focused private credit firm investing in established growth-stage technology companies that are generating quantifiable positive social and environmental outcomes. The project will consider innovative ways to further incorporate technology into loan origination, due diligence and underwriting processes.

Project Oulu

This project aims to advocate for the expansion of bicycle infrastructure along all major roadways such as Main Street and Portage Avenue, allowing all areas of Winnipeg to enjoy cycling safely. The Bicycle advocacy group the WRENCH will aim to promote the expansion of Winnipeg’s cycling network. Winnipeg’s growing cycling community is composed of individuals from all walks of life who choose to cycle for various reasons. However, Winnipeg’s cycling infrastructure remains critically lacking in neighbourhoods where cycling is growing the most. The vast majority of Winnipeg’s cycling infrastructure remains confined to the downtown area with bike lanes scattered on minor roads, leaving the infrastructure inaccessible or unhelpful for most riders.

Amélioration de la Plateforme de Collecte et d’Analyse de Données DEI

Élance est une entreprise dont la mission est de créer des environnements de travail inclusifs. Élance offre une plateforme intelligente SaaS (Software as a Service) qui accompagne les entreprises à bien gérer leur diversité, équité et inclusion (DEI) à l’interne. La plateforme offre un diagnostic démographique croisé aux données DEI, des formations personnalisées aux employé.es, des recommandations adaptées à leurs identités, tout en assurant la mesure en continu de la performance en DEI de l’entreprise.

Recevoir une stagiaire en AI nous permettra de commencer à développer des modèles intelligents derrières certaines automatisations récurrentes sur notre SaaS. La stagiaire nous aidera à développer notre IA d’une façon adéquate, mais surtout de relever le défi du développement éthique du modèle. En effet, les données qui touchent la DEI sont très sensibles et il est important de développer notre IA en considérant les biais inconscients et de possibles jugements qu’on doit absolument tenir en compte en DEI tout en respectant le processus d’anonymisation des données. Cela augmentera également certainement la vitesse à laquelle nous pourrons développer notre IA, ce qui est au cœur de notre développement d’affaires et le développement de notre produit.

Harvest Manitoba Voices

Interns will help the partnerning organization (Harvest Manitoba) to conduct their summer community garden and distribute gardening kids to clients. Interns will also work on the Harvest Voices report to gather information about who uses the food bank so that the organization can provide better resources and advocacy.