Innovative Projects Realized

Développement d’une solution intégrée de gestion des formulaires électroniques clients/fournisseurs dans un contexte de libre-service

Pour des raisons de sécurité, le département des applications d’affaires reçoit beaucoup de demandes provenant de différents départements pour mettre à jour l’information concernant les fournisseurs et les clients de Pharmascience. Cependant, chaque département soumet son formulaire sans respecter un standard. Régulièrement, ils sont envoyés contenant des erreurs tels une fausse information, un champ non remplit ou même un conflit entre plusieurs formulaires. Le stagiaire sera chargé de proposer une solution qui encadrera tous les départements de Pharmascience et leur permettre de mettre à jour eux-mêmes l’information associée aux fournisseurs et aux clients dans la base de données tout en respectant les politiques de sécurité. Ainsi, ce projet supervisé permettra au département responsable des applications d’affaires d’affecter moins de temps à des tâches sans valeurs ajoutées en éliminant complètement le besoin d’assigner quotidiennement un spécialiste pour effectuer la mise à jour des informations concernées dans le progiciel de gestion (SAP) de l’entreprise. De plus, la solution développée pour Pharmascience permettra de baisser le taux erreur dans la base de données et maintenir l’information à jour.

Internship studying quantum gases for the realization of new quantum materials and new quantum sensors

The aim of this research internship is to contribute to our group’s research program using laser­ cooled gases to explore fundamental phenomena of quantum materials and to use them to realize new quantum sensors. This research program has two main objectives – the use of ultra-cold atomic and molecular gases to (1) realize new quantum sensors with scientific, industrial and/or commercial applications and to (2) investigate fundamental questions concerning few and many-body quantum phenomena relevant for quantum materials development and research. Both objectives have both short and long term goals (that extend beyond this grant). The short term goal for the quantum sensor research theme is to establish cold atoms as the international, primary pressure standard for UHV. The long term goal is to investigate the applications of this new sensor to flux measurements relevant for semi-conductor fabrication processes. The short term goal for the quantum materials research theme is to observe many-body fermi-fermi and bose-fermi pairing phenomenon in ultra-cold atomic gases relevant to quantum materials and related to electron-electron pairing in superconductors. The plan is to study the modification of pairing due to impurities, mass imbalances, and the effects of quantum statistics.

Making Meaning of International Intercultural Reciprocal Learning in Pre-service Teacher Education: Narratives of Canadian Novice Teachers

This proposed project aims to inquire into Canadian novice teachers’ induction by exploring the long-term impact of international intercultural learning experiences they had during their pre-service teacher education. More specifically, my study expects to answer the three key questions: 1) What are the professional experiences of the Canadian participants in the Reciprocal Learning Program as novice teachers in China? 2) What are the challenges and opportunities they have encountered as novice teachers? 3) How have their 3-month international internships in China influenced their personal and professional development? This proposed study will adopt Xu and Connelly’s (2019) concept of reciprocal learning as the theoretical framework to guide me in analyzing how Canadian novice teachers make meaning as they engage in learning and teaching activities in different contexts. The field texts will primarily be gathered from participant observation, field notes, and interviews. The findings are expected to offer a window into a more comprehensive understanding of how novice teachers develop professionally during the transitional stage in different cultural contexts as well as the value of international intercultural learning components in Ontario’s pre-service teacher education programs.

Foundation Investment Transparency

The financial investment practices of Canadian foundations impacts Canada’s economy and the social wellbeing of its citizens. However, reporting measures for investment portfolios are not regulated or required by the Canadian Federal Government and the lack of data means a lack of transparency for organizations serving the public good. This research aims to document and uncover the state of investment transparency in the Canadian charitable sector with a focus on foundations. The research also aims to understand perceptions of key stakeholders on investment transparency to understand the barriers and limitations of foundations in Canada publicly listing their investments as part of our efforts to create a more equitable charitable sector.

Characterization of the interface between biomaterials and proteins/cells in the presence of nanotopography

While most of the literature focuses directly on cellular response to biomaterials, cell attachment and behaviour is mediated by the proteins attached to the material. The composition and characteristics of such proteins is dependent on the substrates’ properties, both chemical, physical and mechanical. However, how surface characteristics control protein-material interactions still requires further investigation.

The goal of the project is to characterize protein interactions and resulting change in bacterial adhesion at the interface with biomaterials, in presence of controlled nanotopography.

After the creation of organized arrays of nanoparticles with gradients in interdistance, the substrates will be used to probe protein interactions, in terms of protein quantification and structural changes. These observations will be complemented by real-time monitoring of bacterial adhesion in an ad-hoc flow cell. The aggregation of such studies will shed further light on the role of surface characteristics in the response to biomaterials.

Advancing Brain Tumor Segmentation through Deep Learning based Approaches

We propose a semi-automated brain lesions segmentation method utilizing deep learning techniques and point prompting such as foundation models (SAM).
This developed approach aims to assist physicians in the follow-up of multiple sclerosis disease at different stages, enhancing the likelihood of successful treatment for patients. The key contribution of this research lies in the advancement and implementation of a brain lesion segmentation method, ultimately improving the quality of life for individuals who suffer from multiple sclerosis.
Our project employs image processing techniques and Deep Neural Networks (DNN) to achieve this goal. Should the developed project prove as valuable as we hope, it has the potential to better assess the pathology evolution of patients, signifying its substantial impact on patient well-being which is beneficial for both participating institutions. Furthermore, we are proposing cutting-edge research, which has significant benefits for both participating institutions, enhancing their academic reputation and fostering innovation that can lead to practical applications.

Broker Factors as Predictors of Mortgage Deal Success

Home Trust is a mid-size bank that provides innovative solutions to its customers. Home Trust provides mortgages for different property purchases including single-family dwellings, condominiums, duplexes, triplexes, store and apartment and rental properties. The process of funding a mortgage involves several interactions between Home Trust, brokers, underwriters, and the customer. We are committed to make sure that the mortgage process is as stress-free as possible for our customers and stakeholders. We evaluate each application individually to determine the appropriate pricing.

This project would focus on exploring factors (broker and client) and how they contribute to mortgage outcomes. Different data points would be explored as part of this project (for example: demographics, loan to value ratio, broker tenure and activity levels, brokerage size, average customer bureau scores, etc.). The goal is to understand how these different factors impact mortgage funding and predict the likelihood of mortgage deal success, utilizing machine learning to create a predictive model. Home Trust would leverage this predictive model to better understand our broker base, find efficiencies in our broker base to optimize our marketing opportunities as well as optimize service.

Interns working on this project would leverage SQL and Python to prepare the data, conduct relevant analyses and develop predictive model(s), such as Logistic Regression, XGBoost, Neural Network, Random Forest, and/or other relevant algorithms. The model(s) would be fine-tuned, evaluated, and presented, along with relevant findings and conclusions to Home Trust.

Sherry Shu: Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Innovate in the Canadian Fintech Landscape

This project aims to identify new technological approaches to personal finance to bring into the Canadian market. Managing personal finance is critically important for Canadians, especially in a post-pandemic era of economic difficulty and high prices. The project will use customer research related to fintech and artificial intelligence in Malaysia to investigate potential areas for innovation for fintech in Canada.

Comparative Insights of Cultural Influence on Classroom Management in Grades 4 to 8: Exploring Chinese and Canadian Educational Philosophies, Practices, and Intercultural Exchanges

The objectives of this Globalink research project are to study in China and compare it to that of Canada, more specifically the philosophy behind teachers, classrooms, and schools. One sub- objective includes comparing the difference between China and Canada’s teaching philosophies. For example, what specifically do these countries do differently in the grades 4 – 8 classroom and for assessment tools, and how does this affect the students, teachers, schools, parents, relationships between the forementioned, and student success etc. Elizabeth Dalla Bona will conduct research on this sub-objective primarily via observation and casual conversation with teachers in the placement schools in China. Another sub-objective will include comparing the difference between China and Canada’s morals and culture, and how it affects grades 4 – 8 classroom management. For example, how does Chinese culture, and morals affect classroom management? How does Canadian culture and morals affect classroom management? How can the classroom management strategies change or reinforce certain morals and culture? This sub-objective will be researched by Yuyang Hua via observation and casual conversation. Dalla Bona and Hua hope to gain insights on the nuanced interplay between cultural values, moral frameworks, and classroom management strategies in both countries, ultimately aiming to inform and enhance pedagogical practices that are both culturally responsive and effective in fostering positive learning environments for students. The benefit of broadened perspectives will help both Dalla Bona and Hua become more well-rounded, and empathetic educators, which will ultimately benefit their students.

Optimal data communications between a UAV and a network of ground control stations

(UAV) and a network of ground/aerial control stations for long range communications to connect various remote places of Northern Canada. The main goal of this project is to design, test and implement a robust communication subsystem for such a vehicle to maintain a long range communication with a required data throughput. Most of the civilian UAVs in use today have flight duration of about an hour. They UAVs use the IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n standard Wi-Fi technology to communicate with portable control stations. However, the range of these communication links are very short (70m for indoors and 300m for outdoors), and are not suitable for long-range flights. Thus, implementing and maintaining a reliable long-range communications link is very important. The research objectives of this project are to (i) Design and implement a communication subsystem to support a long-range operation of the UAV by employing multiple ground/aerial control stations with high-gain directional antenna and omni directional antenna, (ii) Design and implement a communications protocol that can predict link quality and provide high data rates, (iii) Design and implement a fuzzy inference system to regulate the transmission power against predicted link quality and distance to GCS, (iv)

L2M-Market validation of the 3D organoid culture plates for making the human-mimicked tissue models

Currently, over 95% of new anti-cancer drugs fail during clinical trials (1). Despite significant technological advances, drug development has become slower and more expensive. The root cause is that current preclinical cancer models, such as 2D cell layers and animal models, fail to accurately recreate human biology. This makes it very difficult to predict how humans will respond to a drug before it is administered (2). Apricell is changing the way new anti-cancer drugs are developed. These drugs range from chemotherapies to newer approaches that leverage the immune system to combat cancer. Using Apricell’s proprietary 3D tissue modelling platform, researchers and drug developers can now test drugs on patient-mimicking tumor models in a way that is faster, cheaper, and more predictive than existing approaches. As the current technology serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, the biggest obstacle to commercializing it is finding a target market with less regulation. Therefore, we need to conduct thorough market validation to confirm the overall feasibility of our business idea. The L2M program is an excellent opportunity to evaluate not only our product but also to gauge the market’s willingness to adopt our solution. It will also allow us to analyze our market in different customer segments and assess the broader business landscape.

Prosaris Partial Discharge Ultrasonic Detector Design

Development of an ultrasonic detector for detecting partial discharges (PD) across high voltage insulators or electrical connections