Innovative Projects Realized

A causal framework for the interaction between antenatal corticosteroids and gestational age

Antenatal corticosteroids are life-saving drugs administered to pregnant people at risk of imminent preterm birth. As the usage of these drugs continues to expand, select studies have raised concerns about potential longer-term consequences among infants born many weeks after treatment. Yet, because the exact timing of birth is unpredictable when treatment is administered, the causal interpretation of such studies remains uncertain. We will propose a causal framework for the design and interpretation of such studies, to guide researchers investigating the potential longer-term harms of antenatal corticosteroids and clinicians weighing the potential benefits and harms.

The Rise of Fishes: A Comprehensive Analysis of Fossil Evidence for the Origin and Early Evolution of Vertebrates

The origin and early evolution of vertebrates — fishes and their descendants — represents a poorly understood phase in the deep-time ancestry of the human lineage. A series of transitions occurred between 500 and 400 million years ago from a worm-like ancestor to a bony predatory
fish with a jaw. Using Europe’s largest fossil collections at Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, I plan to reveal these elusive transitions. First, I will test two hypotheses: a) vertebrae (backbones) were acquired and then lost in primitive fishes; and b) a jaw joint evolved from a blood sinus. Then I will test alternatives to the current vertebrate classification: the presence of previously unknown radiation of poorly skeletonized fishes and the hypothetical interpretation of jawed vertebrates as highly modified members of spatula-like looking armored fishes (osteostracans). This project will provide key insights to answer why the fossil record of vertebrates contradict a simple and direct progression from primitive to advanced.

My Heartcoach for women

Our research team has worked with the Northern Alberta Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (NACRP) to develop an online, home-based cardiac rehabilitation program (“My Heart Coach”). This program provides exercises and educational activities consistent with current clinical practice guidelines.

A potential opportunity for improvement in this program and others is the development of a woman-focused cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program with the addition of mind-body wellness programming to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. The proposed project will use a multi-methods approach to include patient-prioritized and women-centered content in My Heart Coach.

Using a qualitative descriptive approach, we will explore their needs and preferences regarding mind-body wellness programming that improves anxiety and depression while attending to the objectives of CR. We will conduct semi-structured interviews with women undergoing CR. Interviews will be recorded and transcribed verbatim, with reflexive thematic analysis to identify themes. In future work, the results from this study can be used to inform the development of a women-specific online CR program that will enhance the mental well-being of women following a significant heart event.

Market research intern

The project aims to enhance understanding of customer perspectives on traditional IP legaltech and AI innovations within IP law firms in Canada. Interns will engage in primary market research by contacting and conducting interviews with IP law firms in Canada. Their goal is to gain insight into the firms’ views on product propositions tailored to this sector.Through these interviews, interns will delve into the intricacies of how conventional IP legaltech and AI advancements are perceived and utilized within Canadian IP law firms. By gathering firsthand insights from industry professionals, the project seeks to uncover nuances in the market, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately contribute to the evolution of tailored solutions that better serve the needs of these firms.

Rostock-Ottawa

The project focuses on developing machine learning (ML) techniques to improve quantum tomography and control, specifically addressing scalability issues in large quantum systems. By collaborating with experts in photonics and quantum machine learning from both the University of Ottawa and the University of Rostock, the project aims to create more efficient quantum state reconstruction methods, which will enhance quantum technologies such as quantum computing. The collaboration is expected to advance research capabilities at both institutions, leading to the development of scalable quantum information processing techniques that will benefit global efforts in quantum technology. The exchange of knowledge and expertise between these institutions will also help train the next generation of quantum scientists.

Building a Business Case for New MNP Applications

20/20 OptimEyes Technologies has developed a nanoparticle technology that can improve treatments for patients. We are moving forward into clinical trials for glaucoma, but we know we can improve other disease treatments with our technology. During this internship, our intern will evaluate other potential therapies where we could use our platform technology and build a business case for the top 5 diseases so we can create prototypes for these and test them in the lab.

Software and website platform integration

Express Voice Studio is developing an online portal to streamline payment processes through an internal system, we aim to either create a custom software or integrate an existing platform into our website for optimal efficiency.

Our commitment to customer satisfaction drives us to continually improve our services and operations, our vision is to streamline payment processes and enhance operational efficiency through a robust online portal. Which reflects on our main objective to reduce manual payment processing, minimize errors, and improve transaction times. Offering a seamless and efficient payment experience to our customers.

L2M – Disaster Management and Community Support Platform

The Disaster Management and Community Support Platform is designed to enhance disaster preparedness and response in Canadian communities by providing real-time risk assessments and fostering a robust community support network. The platform integrates features such as real-time communication, volunteer matching, resource management, and mental health support to help local governments, NGOs, and residents respond more effectively to natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and storms. Over the course of this 4-month program, the project will focus on validating market demand, identifying key stakeholder needs, and conducting a SWOT analysis to assess the platform’s potential for commercialization. Through interviews with community members, emergency responders, and local authorities, the project aims to gather essential insights that will guide its go-to-market strategy and determine the most appropriate path forward.

Development of Neurotherapeutics from Lead Candidates

There is a critical need to develop new therapeutics for the treatment of chronic pain. In this partnership between Zymedyne Therapeutics and the Derksen Research lab at the University of Calgary, we will work to develop lead hit compounds to leads that can be put forward as clinical candidates. As many existing pain therapeutics, such as opioids, have serious side effects over extended use, this program aims to target Cav3.2 receptors with novel inhibitors. Although an established target for pain therapeutics, no inhibitors of these calcium channels have yet been approved for clinical use. This research partnership is based on advancing hit compounds and understanding their function so that they can be moved closer to the clinic. This work includes the development of scalable synthetic routes to drug candidates using modern organic chemistry methods, and the completion of structure-activity relationship studies to fully understand how the lead molecules work after they are administered.

Greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and remediation approaches during wastewater treatment using partial denitrification anammox process

Wastewater treatment plants contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through the release of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), which are produced during various treatment processes. During biological nutrient removal in wastewater treatment, processes such as activated sludge can generate N2O (a potent greenhouse gas) during total nitrogen removal processes. Further energy consumption in wastewater treatment plants, including electricity for aeration and pumping, also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The use of fossil fuels for energy generation further intensifies these emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants underscore the importance of adopting energy-efficient technologies, optimizing treatment processes, and implementing remedial strategies. The proposed project will evaluate greenhouse gas emissions in a BioCord pilot using an advanced total nitrogen removal process called partial denitrification anammox and demonstrate remediation approaches under different conditions in the biological nutrient removal process. The pilot project will demonstrate the contribution of BioCord to climate change mitigation by lowering emission generation through the metabolic activities of the microorganisms within the biofilm, as well as energy and carbon footprint minimization. Moreover, biofilms have demonstrated resilience to various environmental stressors, including temperature fluctuations and changes in nutrient availability. By reducing emissions and promoting sustainable practices, wastewater treatment plants can contribute to Ontario’s efforts to mitigate climate change and achieve environmental sustainability.

Rural Food Production with Passive Solar Greenhouses

This project will explore how a rural community’s focus on a local/regional food system can augment their economy and outline the feasibility for a passive solar greenhouse for food production in the northern, rural town of Athabasca, Alberta. Using a community economic development model, the project will incorporate resident input in determining design elements as well as business planning options, and working with Athabasca University’s Centre for Architecture, share a viable prototype for a sustainable social enterprise.

NutraForge Product development Acceleration

The proposed project focuses on developing advanced AI technologies to enhance the partner organization’s platform. The intern will work on integrating and optimizing AI-driven solutions, such as personalized nutrition analysis and professional-client data sharing, using tools like OpenAI’s models and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG). By strengthening the AI workflows, including speech recognition and data processing, the project will enable more accurate and scalable analysis. This development will benefit the organization by improving the platform’s ability to deliver personalized recommendations and insights, making it a more powerful tool for both users and professionals.