Innovative Projects Realized

Enhancing clinical documentations through LLM

The project focuses on transforming clinical documentation with advanced AI, specifically Large Language Models (LLMs), to alleviate the burden on healthcare professionals. Aimed at improving efficiency and accuracy, the strategy involves creating an AI-powered charting assistant that seamlessly turns clinician-patient interactions into standardized clinical documents, offered as a subscription-based SaaS platform. Initiatives include fine-tuning LLMs with anonymized data, integrating with EHR systems, upholding stringent data security standards, engaging in rigorous testing with healthcare practitioners, and piloting with institutional partners. It incorporates NLP, machine learning, and agile development to continually refine the AI, benefiting particularly small, rural, and indigenous clinics, with the ultimate goal of enhancing clinical quality and patient care.

Recyclage des plastiques flexibles

Dans ce projet, on propose de produire du mobilier urbain (pièces extérieures) à partir de matières 100% recyclées. Pour ce faire, des plastiques flexibles (films, pellicules, sacs, etc.) en fin de vie seront récupérés pour être utilisés ensemble (mélanges de résines) ou avec l’ajout d’autres résidus solides. Ces résidus seront sélectionnés parmi les matières disponibles sur le territoire de la RITMRG (Régie intermunicipal de traitement des matières résiduelles de la Gaspésie) qui est le partenaire du projet. Des formulations (avec ou sans additifs) seront produites par extrusion pour ensuite utiliser différents procédés de moulage (compression, extrusion, injection et rotomoulage) pour la fabrication de pièces à l’échelle réelle (bordures, chaises, pot de fleurs, pavés, tables, etc.). Ces pièces serviront comme démonstrateurs afin de développer de nouvelles gammes de produits.

Towards improved stability of early-age masonry walls using temporary bracing at the construction stage.

Despite significant development of various construction materials, masonry is still considered as one of the most cost-effective materials. However, they are often vulnerable to wind-induced lateral loads caused during construction stage (within 1 to 2 days of construction) when the masonry is yet to achieve full strength. Temporary bracing systems are often used to support these structures at construction site to avoid loss of materials and injury to workers. However, design of these temporary bracings is relatively subjective and tend to be very conservative to maintain safety at workplace. The industry partner, Canada Masonry Design Centre, has an immediate urgency for improved efficiency of bracing of walls under construction which require a better understanding of early-age properties of masonry. This proposal aims at accurate characterization of early-age masonry and development of stringent design guidelines for bracings of newly constructed wall systems to eliminate the current conservative and uneconomical design.

Advancing Cheque Fraud Detection and Localization: A Holistic Approach Integrating CNN and Grad-CAM

The primary objective of this research is to enhance fraud detection in cheques by implementing a comprehensive approach that addresses anomalies in formatting, signatures, and other critical elements. With a focus on fortifying bank applications against financial malpractices, our goal is to develop a robust fraud localization system. To achieve this, we will utilize a CNN implemented by Verafin for efficient fraud localization cheques. We aim to approximate and localize areas within the cheque that may be susceptible to fraud, leveraging techniques such as the Grad-CAM method. This involves analyzing important regions in cheque images to identify potential fraudulent elements, such as forged signatures or irregular formatting. By combining classification with detailed localization, our research aims to provide a comprehensive solution for enhancing the integrity and security of cheque processing systems.

Approaches to supporting people experiencing complex and overlapping vulnerabilities in Downtown East Toronto

The meaningful issues that are deeply-rooted in the Downtown East Toronto include poverty, homelessness, housing, community safety, mental health, substance use and the drug poisoning crisis. Challenges accessing formal systems for support and resources results from experiences with overlapping systems of exclusion and intersecting points of oppressions like stigma, racism or gender. The main question of this study is how can City of Toronto and community resources, programs, policy or partnership opportunities be leveraged to support people experiencing complex vulnerabilities in the Downtown East. The goal is to achieve this through leveraging the significant work that is already being done in the area and identifying the common elements that are shared between services providers, community members, clients and other stakeholders. It is focused on exploring strategies that can make a difference right now for those suffering in our communities in the Downtown East. This study uses a critical policy studies approach that has a big focus on social inequality and how this approach can be used to challenge existing inequality through policy work.

Drones Alpha et Bêta de VIMY Multi-Système: L’usage de la modélisation pour la conception et premiers tests en virtuel des drone multi-tâches (Brancard-ambulance et Support)!

Conception avancée d’un drone multi-tâches d’urgence pour les situations de désastres qui pour une prise en charge clinique du patient allant du monitoring, traitement et transport (i.e.: Drone Alpha de Vimy Multi-Système; Modélisation et prototype). Ce projet s’insère dans la R&D de moyens de prise en charge de blessés en situation de catastrophes dont la mécanique des fluides/Aéronautique s’avère une solution pour combler les divers GAPS Opérationnels/Cadre de prestation de soins existants (ex.: absences de technologies efficaces et optimal); La sciences de défense et de sécurité constitue un cadre de recherche pour la santé et protection civile.

The Collaborative Production of “The Hospital of Unhappy Surprises”

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic condition that leads to brittle bones and mild to severe bone deformities. People with OI often experience pain, discrimination, fear of breaking bones, and frequent hospitalizations. Because the condition is rare, the experiences of children with OI are not well understood by healthcare providers, who often lack guidelines and knowledge to provide OI care. At the same time, children and families with OI want better educational health resources related to OI. We have created a puppet theatre script called, “The Hospital of Unhappy Surprises” with 18 children with OI from Canada, the United States, and Europe. The play tells the story of their bad hospital experiences and vision for a good hospital. Now, we want to professionally animate the play with artists, OI healthcare providers, and scientists in London, UK, a leader in theatre and OI care and research. The play will become a free online educational resource for children with OI, families, healthcare providers, and healthcare institutions and showcase how we can improve care for children with OI. Most importantly, the project will strengthen partnerships between healthcare, arts, and community organizations, which can lead to new OI innovations down the line.

Implementing a Use Case Repository for Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)

Small companies which cannot afford a dedicated professional can leverage the services of MSSP [Managed Security Service Provider] to tackle such threats. Thus, MSSPs play a pivotal role in safeguarding their clients’ digital assets by offering comprehensive security solutions. Centralized repository for use cases, which serve as actionable scenarios for identifying and responding to security incidents, is essential for efficient knowledge sharing and collaboration among MSSP teams. This research aims to implement the Use Case Repository tailored to the needs of Glass House Systems to enhance their security posture, ultimately contributing to the broader field of cybersecurity. Implementation of Use case repository will be initiated by centralizing and organizing use cases, standardizing them and then analyzing the use cases.

Community Capitals and Asset Mapping for the City of Lethbridge

Municipalities of all sizes are increasingly being asked to take on a greater role in terms of citizen-based lives, and extending their policy and planning purview into domains such as community sustainability and resilience, community economic development, functional regional development, and addressing the diversity of needs and expectations coming from both new-comers to Canada, and newcomers to the City. As a result, building a conceptually informed structure from which to understand the assets that support all citizens of the City is very important – this structure extends beyond physical or economic assets, and (using the Community Capitals Framework) is a way to understand how a wide range of assets in any community can help support the resilience and adaptability of that community. Built as a partnership between the City and University of Lethbridge, this project is intended to provide a foundation for city-based planning and program development that takes into account not just what is “in” the community, but how it is used, perceived and asssessed by different members of the general public and user communities.

Summer Law Internship

Women-led startups are underrepresented in VC despite strong results in revenue generation, capital efficiency, ROI, and out-performance of peers.
Among the first all-woman GP funds in Canada, Sandpiper invests in Canadian women entrepreneurs who bring diverse perspectives and unique insights leading to more creative solutions to complex global and industry challenges and potential for superior financial returns. We support all women including non-binary and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.
Sandpiper’s Student Summer Intern will work closely with our Chief Legal Counsel. This internship offers an opportunity for a law student to gain hands-on experience in venture capital transactions, legal analysis, and business development within the fast-paced environment of a small VC firm. The intern will address productivity and streamlining opportunities for Sandpiper’s legal investor closing process.

Web Scraping Project

Student will help company achieve various IT work product solutions.

Évaluation des enjeux de cybersécurité pour les PME manufacturières de la région de Gaspésie

Le projet vise à réaliser une analyse approfondie des récents audits de cybersécurité menés par l’ERAC Gaspésie auprès d’une trentaine d’entreprises manufacturières de la région. L’objectif est de dresser un portrait clair de la situation actuelle en matière de cyber-risques et de mesures de protection dans ce secteur névralgique.
Les audits réalisés ont permis d’identifier plusieurs lacunes et vulnérabilités récurrentes chez les entreprises participantes, notamment :

– Failles de sécurité au niveau des réseaux et infrastructures
– Accès physiques et logiques non sécurisés aux systèmes critiques
– Gestion inadéquate des mots de passe et des accès
– Difficultés à se conformer aux exigences de la Loi 25 sur la sécurité des données
– Systèmes de production exposés aux cyber menaces (rançongiciels, virus, etc.)