Innovative Projects Realized

Beyond “Here” and “There”: The Complexity of Hmong Rural to Urban Migrants’ Livelihoods in Kunming, China

The ethnic minority classification of ‘Hmong’ has never been an officially recognized ‘minority nationality’ category in China, since it has long been subsumed under the broader category of ‘Miao’ with three other culturally and linguistically diverse groups for national census purposes. This means that understanding of Hmong migration patterns, ways of life, and livelihoods in China are not particularly well understood, despite a population estimated by overseas scholars at around 3 million in China, of a total of about 5 million worldwide (Michaud et al. 2016). In response, my research aim is to investigate the complexities and intricacies of Hmong rural-to-urban migration patterns to Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, including how Hmong migrants establish themselves as urban residents and access livelihood opportunities in the city. To achieve this aim, I will use a portfolio of qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews, mental mapping, and photovoice to capture Hmong migrants’ own understandings of their everyday experiences. My research project will contribute not only to expanding knowledge of how marginalized ethnic minority communities make a living in urban environments in a socialist state, but also hopefully to the development of practical policy recommendations to support rural-to-urban ethnic minority migrants in Yunnan Province.

Santé psychologique, fonctionnement scolaire et facteurs associés : portrait de la situation à l’école Charles-Lemoyne

Cette recherche vise à dresser un portrait de la santé psychologique et du fonctionnement scolaire des élèves du secondaire, ainsi que de la santé psychologique du personnel scolaire. Ce portrait se concentrera tant sur des indicateurs positifs, comme la satisfaction des besoins fondamentaux, que sur des indicateurs négatifs, comme les symptômes dépressifs et anxieux, de la santé psychologique. D’autres indicateurs, comme les stratégies d’adaptation utilisées par les élèves, leur rendement scolaire, l’engagement scolaire et le climat scolaire perçu, seront également examinés. Cette recherche, qui impliquera 2000 élèves du secondaire et environ 150 membres du personnel scolaire, se déroulera sur deux années scolaires. À la lumière de ce portrait, des recommandations pratiques seront transmises au milieu partenaire qui pourra développer des stratégies d’intervention et de soutien adaptées aux besoins des élèves du secondaire et du personnel scolaire, et ce, afin de favoriser une meilleure santé psychologique.

Validation of the Ganular flOes for Discrete Arctic Rheology (GoDAR) sea ice discrete element model with an ice tank

Deformations in the sea ice cover occur along narrow Linear Kinematic Features (LKFs) when the load on the ice from the surface wind or ocean current exceeds the mechanical strength of sea ice in shear, tension, or compression. Along these high deformation lines, sea ice floes can slide along one another (shear), ridge (convergence), or move apart creating leads (divergence). All these processes affect the sea ice mass balance in winter, and therefore salt fluxes in the upper ocean, and vertical heat and moisture fluxes between the ocean and the atmosphere. These physical processes, which are of importance for both the global climate system modeling and operational needs, must be adequately represented in sea ice models, whether their origin comes from their physics or parameterizations. I developed the Granular flOes for Discrete Arctic Rheology (GoDAR), a Discrete Element Model (DEM) of sea ice, which is modeled as thin disks. In this framework, opening of leads (where the atmosphere and ocean exchange energy) are explicitly resolved. The goal of this project is to compare idealized simulations from Godar against laboratory experiments in an ice tank. Once Godar is validated, a parameterization of contact normal angles in shearing events will be developed.

Development of Neurofeedback Algorithms Supporting Concentration and Subjective Well-Being

We live in an age of distraction and mind-wandering, which has been broadly linked to greater levels of unhappiness, suggesting that many of us might benefit from mindfulness training that allows us to better control our attention. Interaxon Inc. has developed a potentially breakthrough solution to this problem in a device that measures brain activity to facilitate mindfulness attentional training at home. However, there still remain major barriers toward the popularization of this new technology. I propose to partner with Interaxon in solving two of these key barriers: 1) the development of algorithms that adjust for individual differences in neural signatures; and 2) scientific validation of the attentional and emotional benefits of attentional training. Solving these problems will greatly improve the efficacy of this technology and its user-confidence, thus maximizing its social impact on emotional well-being

Assessment of novel density functionals for optical properties

Developing a reinforcement learning based approach for enabling self-recovery in production lines

Cryostratigraphic characterization of permafrost sediment cores using X-ray microtomographic imaging

Changes in habitat quality and biological soil properties through the use of field robots

Engineering and Design of the EPOS Stellarator

Reclamation of Mercury-Contaminated Tailings from Small Gold Mining

This Mitacs Acelerate proposal is the first of three-phase project of Adriana’s Goncalves master’s thesis. For this present MITACS proposal, it will be investigated routes to extract gold, mercury and other possible valuable minerals from a representative sample of AGM tailings from Costa Rica. The tailings belong to a small Canadian company, Newlox Gold that is starting an enterprise to reclaim Hg-contaminated tailings in different countries. For this, they need a simple method to extract Hg and value from the tailings in order to payback the reclamation activities. The case study for this research will take place in Canada at the laboratories of UBC Dept. of Mining. This conceptual study is critical to establish the basic parameters for the processing design, and flowsheet(s) required to develop the unit operations of the processing plants to be recommended for the Newlox Gold as a result of this research. The research is also part of a larger conceptual model of Small Mining Is Beautiful which defends that small gold plants can be cleaner and more sophisticated than the usual ones generating more environmental and social benefits in developing countries.

Wireless Charger System for e-bike/e-scooter

Light electric vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters are gaining popularity. However, due to lack of standardization each brand/manufacturer use different battery configurations. Consequently, designing a public charging station for light electric vehicles is a challenge. Moreover, wireless charging of light electric vehicles offers a more elegant and convenient solution. Thus, the goal of the proposed research is to create a universal wireless charging solution for a variety of e-bike and e-scooter brands, guaranteeing convenient and user-friendly options for the customers’ EV charging requirements.

Co-développement d’activités intergénérationnelles pour rompre avec l’âgisme et soutenir la participation sociale des personnes vivant avec les séquelles d‘un traumatisme craniocérébral

Cette recherche participative rassemblera des jeunes et des aînés vivant avec un traumatisme craniocérébral, un gestionnaire et des intervenants d’un organisme communautaire desservant les personnes vivant avec un TCC (Servio), un représentant d’Intergénération Québec, ainsi que des chercheurs en sciences de la santé, en sciences humaines et sociales, et en arts. Ces partenaires utiliseront une approche de design centré sur l’humain afin de codévelopper une initiative intergénérationnelle axée sur la création de récits de vie de la génération aînée TCC. Ces récits de vie prendront la forme de photoreportages. Les objectifs du projet sont : 1) Codévelopper et mettre en œuvre un ensemble de séances intergénérationnelles visant à créer des récits de vie des aînés TCC sous forme de photoreportage; 2) Diminuer la stigmatisation à l’égard des personnes qui vieillissent avec des incapacités grâce à une exposition ouverte au public mettant en valeur ces récits; et 3) Explorer les effets de cette initiative et sa faisabilité d‘implantation. Ce projet contribuera à combler les lacunes dans les connaissances concernant les interventions soutenant la participation sociale des individus vieillissant avec un TCC; tout en explorant le potentiel des activités intergénérationnelles auprès de cette population.