��ݮ��Ƶ News - Global Impact

Advancing X-ray technology around the world

Darren Mc Almont — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 21:21:52 +0000

��ݮ��Ƶ spinoff, KA Imaging has developed a portable, cost-effective alternative to conventional medical imaging

Since its founding in 2015, KA Imaging, a ��ݮ��Ƶ spinoff, has been revolutionizing X-ray technology in Canada and around the world.

The company was founded by three visionary ��ݮ��Ƶ alumni: Amol Karnick (BASc ’95), Sina Ghanbarzadeh (MASc ’14, in memoriam) and Dr. Karim Karim (BASc ’99, PhD ’03) who all had a goal to create significant social impact by advancing X-ray imaging technology.

Today, KA Imaging has grown to more than 50 employees, with its innovative products being utilized in 10 countries across three continents.

“The idea behind KA Imaging is to integrate X-ray innovations into existing markets and industries,” says Karim, an electrical and computer engineering professor at ��ݮ��Ƶ and chief technology officer at KA Imaging.

In 2020, the company received a medical device license and FDA clearance for its Reveal 35C, a dual-energy X-ray detector, which has allowed KA Imaging to expand its portable, cost-effective, and high-quality alternative to traditional X-rays into more hospitals and communities that need them.

Karim explains that the Reveal 35C differs from conventional X-rays by utilizing spectral X-ray information inherent in the X-ray beam, where the advantage is that it separates materials such as water and calcium, going above and beyond what regular X-ray can do.

This enables medical practitioners to identify calcium and view bones or any calcium-containing structures clearly. It also allows for the isolation of soft tissues, such as the lungs, without the interference of bones.

“This technology is particularly useful because, in some cases, it has potential to eliminate the need for CT scans,” Karim says. “Traditionally, if something isn’t visible on an X-ray, a CT scan is required. However, with the Reveal 35C’s spectral technology, lesions can become more visible and patients can potentially avoid CT scans, which is crucial in areas where access is limited.”

Recently, KA Imaging partnered with Kenya Kids Foundation Canada and Hope International to introduce the Reveal 35C in Kenya at Village of Hope Hospital, seven hours away from Nairobi.

The Reveal 35C detector, recently installed at Village of Hope Hospital in Kenya, is already being used in community outreach initiatives to provide medical services to those in need.

Through this partnership, KA Imaging helped patients get a diagnosis with an X-ray alone, without having to travel long distances or spend more money for further imaging.

During the one week he was in Kenya, Karim shares that KA Imaging’s technology helped doctors diagnose six cases of tuberculosis, and because of its portability, the Reveal 35C was shared by different clinics and rural hospitals.

Dr. Karim and his daughter Hana, a ��ݮ��Ƶ student, during their visit to Kenya.

The Reveal 35C was also used to detect fractures in wrists, ankles, hips and spines, as well as diagnose pneumonia.

Looking forward, Karim highlights that the Reveal 35C is the first portable detector using spectral X-ray technology.

The technology has the potential to significantly benefit the future of health care, by reducing the number of CT scans enabling a hospital to save money, while simultaneously providing better service for critical patients since they don't have to be moved around.

“The future for KA Imaging lies in enhancing imaging in a portable form, bringing better patient care directly to the bedside,” Karim concludes.

Banner image: Installation of the Reveal 35C at Village of Hope Hospital

Technological Futures

Global Impact

Health Technology Innovation

Growing innovation in the agriculture sector

Stephanie Longeway — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:39:41 +0000

Ceragen is helping farmers engineer the plant microbiome to increase crop yields

Danielle Rose weighs leafy greens in Velocity’s development lab while her colleague prepares samples for whole genome sequencing. It’s an unusual sight in the buzzing space amongst fellow tech founders.

Danielle Rose
> Founder of Ceragen
> Velocity Resident

Rose is currently growing several plant crops that her startup, Ceragen, is trying to improve. What makes her plants unique is a microbial technology that promotes growth and helps to increase crop yields.

Ceragen is a biotech company that is innovating Canadian agriculture and has the potential to transform the global agriculture sector. One of their first products for lettuce crops only just launched in September 2021, but Rose and her co-founder have already drawn the attention of Forbes, recognizing their scientific breakthrough on the 2023 North American 30 under 30 Science list. They are now focusing their attention on eight additional crops, including kale.

"Our primary focus is developing products for hydroponic fruit and vegetable production,” Rose says. “Greenhouses and vertical farms that use hydroponic systems can grow over 10 times more food per acre and use up to 90 per cent less water than conventional farming techniques. Our goal is to help further increase the sustainability of hydroponic production by increasing the amount of food the farmers can produce with the same resources.”

Combining engineering with traditional science

The Velocity startup is based on fundamental research conducted by their technical advisor Dr. Bernie Glick, who is a professor emeritus at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ. During her time as a grad student at ��ݮ��Ƶ, Rose conducted market research on the industrial potential of using plant growth promoting microbes to develop probiotics for plants. These probiotics are applied to the roots of the plant and help improve both plant growth and food production. After forming Ceragen, she began to further research how different combinations of microbes designed for specific crops could help the plant grow better. These products work by improving nutrient uptake and regulating plant stress.

Rose knew that this solution could solve a critical problem in the agriculture sector as more operations look to scale their crop productions to meet increasing consumer demand.

The preliminary research that was done at ��ݮ��Ƶ laid the foundation for the technology,” Rose says. “In order for us to take it out into industry, we needed to incorporate engineering principles to help us scale it up.” She enlisted help from her brother, Matthew Rose (BASc ’21), who had just completed his undergrad in Mechatronics Engineering at ��ݮ��Ƶ. He became Ceragen’s Chief Technology Officer and co-founder. Together, they implemented a bioinformatic pipeline that incorporates machine learning to bring automation into their science lab.

Partnering with big agriculture for R&D

Ceragen was incorporated in April 2021 and already has two products, ACCelerate and FerraGrow, on the market for use with hydroponic tomatoes and lettuce.

Ceragen has achieved fast success in part because they’ve integrated growers throughout the research and development (R&D).

“We welcomed several growers to be part of our R&D to make sure that our products provide value and meet their needs. We wanted to know what the most commercially relevant plant traits to growers were, and what improvements provide the most economic value to them,” Rose says.

They have several ongoing commercial pilots for their two existing products and are already seeing great success.

“Our ACCelerate product has shown 10 per cent average yield increases in commercial hydroponic tomato production, and our FerraGrow product has shown on average 20 per cent yield increases in hydroponic lettuce,” Rose says.

“In the end, we have a tailor-made solution to a problem the growers are facing. And for me, that’s the best way to do science.”

Rose working inside her pop-up grow tent located in Velocity’s main incubator workspace

Turning science into a business solution

Ever since Rose was a child, she knew she wanted to start her own company. “I have also always been environmentally conscious, and I want to make a positive impact on the world and leave it better than I came into it,” she says.

Combining her love for biology and microbes with her business passion is what led her to pursue her grad studies at ��ݮ��Ƶ.

“The school I did my undergrad at doesn’t have the same startup infrastructure as ��ݮ��Ƶ has. Hearing about the community and resources available at ��ݮ��Ƶ, I knew I needed to come here for my masters.”

Rose began attending Wednesday night workshops at Concept — Velocity’s innovation hub at ��ݮ��Ƶ that helps turn ideas into businesses.

“I learned how to evaluate the commercial viability of an idea and how it plays inside an ecosystem. It’s great to have a cool science idea but until you understand the business side of it you can’t make a real-world impact with it,” she says. “We need to teach the business side of things to scientists. I think that is what ��ݮ��Ƶ does well.”

The other big draw for Rose was ��ݮ��Ƶ’s creator-own intellectual property policy that allows researchers to commercialize their discoveries.

In 2021, Ceragen became a resident member of Velocity — where Rose and here team are currently working to develop new microbial products. But Velocity is more than a space for her lab, it has been a network of support and her first investor. Velocity is Canada’s most productive incubator and has helped scaleup more than 400 companies.

“Velocity has provided me with world class mentorship and advice that has been fundamental to pushing Ceragen forward. They have given us a fantastic space and early investment. The lab facilities and equipment that we have access to would cost us a significant amount of money as a deep-tech biology company. Velocity has allowed us to scale and realize the impact I know we can make in this sector.”

The future ahead

With two products launched and several more on the horizon, Rose is looking forward to expanding sales in Canada and the U.S.A. and developing new products for additional crop types. As Ceragen continues to scale up, Rose cites two key elements that are critical to their success.

“You need product market fit and a great team. Product market fit is what drives the rapid growth of a company from a sales point of view. A great team full of people you can count on is how the company continues to drive growth beyond what founders could achieve on their own.”

Funding is also a critical factor, but one that is often difficult to secure. “It can be challenging in Canada to get initial funding for technology development when you are just starting out. Matching funding programs are amazing, but only if you have some initial funds to start with,” Rose says.

Continued investment is therefore essential if Canada wants to see continued growth within its innovation ecosystem. “I think additional grants in the $250K to $500K range for initial commercial development would go a long way to getting more startups to a point where they are ready for institutional investment.”

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A three-pronged approach to helping Indonesia cope with climate change

Rebecca Elming — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 16:31:10 +0000

Trudeau announces $15M for ��ݮ��Ƶ researchers doing climate change adaptation work

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today announced $15 million in funding for the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Faculties of Mathematics and Environment to work with Indonesian partners on climate-change adaptation and mitigation strategies in the country.

The funding, provided by Global Affairs Canada, will support the Flood Impacts, Carbon Pricing, and Ecosystem Sustainability (FINCAPES) project. FINCAPES is led by Professor Stefan Steiner in collaboration with Professor David Landriault and Professor Brent Doberstein.

“The world is facing a race against time to reduce atmospheric carbon emissions and to slow down and reverse destructive global warming trends,” said FINCAPES project director Jean Lowry. “It is imperative that all nations urgently undertake both climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts and we are thrilled to be supporting this crucial work in Indonesia.”

FINCAPES has three components designed to enhance and accelerate the capacity of Indonesia to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Under the first component, U��ݮ��Ƶ researchers and Indonesian partners will develop innovative new financial risk models to help local government, industries and vulnerable communities forecast and prepare for the socioeconomic costs associated with climate change exacerbated flooding.

The second component of the project will focus on bolstering Indonesia’s ambitious efforts to restore carbon sinks by helping to protect and rehabilitate critical peatland and mangrove ecosystems. This part of the project will develop a number of living laboratories for scientists to develop and test new methods for undertaking this important work and will also focus on promoting and replicating proven solutions on a much larger scale.

The third FINCAPES component will support the development of policies on carbon taxes, and carbon cap and trade programs, which will be a key part of Indonesia’s greenhouse gas reduction efforts and help finance the country’s transition to low carbon energy.

“Effective and sustainable responses to carbon emission threats are crucial to the survival of vulnerable communities in Indonesia and around the world,” said Steiner. “By focusing on improved carbon pricing and trading, and nature-based solutions, FINCAPES will help Indonesia transition to a low-carbon economy and become a more sustainable, and healthier place to live. This work is in line with the theme of adaptation to climate-change that was on display at this year’s COP conference in Egypt and also with the United Nations’ increased emphasis on helping countries to adapt to the growing impacts of climate change.”

More information about the FINCAPES project can be found on the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Statistics and Actuarial Science website.

The future of specialist care in Africa

Victoria Lumax — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000

MedAtlas is creating a digital solution to make fertility care in Africa more accessible

Margaret Mutumba
PhD candidate, Faculty of Health
> Founder, MedAtlas
> Concept

Infertility is a health issue for many people around the world that can also lead to broader social and economic consequences. However, access to treatment can be difficult or nearly impossible in many regions.

“Millions of people on the African continent are impacted by infertility,” says Margaret Mutumba, a PhD candidate in Public Health and Health Systems. “But access to health care can be challenging, and even more challenging when you need to see a specialist.”

Mutumba was born and raised in Uganda, and after completing her master’s degree in England, she returned home to work in health care. She has overseen fertility clinics in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Zambia, and has witnessed firsthand the barriers patients face. Accessing care is difficult because there are generally too few specialists and clinics to serve this vast geographical region.

“Only 21 countries out of 53 have fertility clinics. It’s not enough,” Mutumba says. This has led to major delays in patients being able to seek the treatment they need. Many couples are also required to travel far distances to larger urban centres to access in-person care, adding to the cost of an already expensive service.

Thinking outside traditional health systems

Mutumba knew a solution to create more accessible care was needed. She founded MedAtlas, an affordable telemedicine healthcare platform that connects patients to a specialist from anywhere in Africa. But becoming an entrepreneur was not her original goal when she began her journey to better support patients. 

“I never saw myself as an entrepreneur. Coming from a public health background, I have always been used to working in established traditional systems,” says Mutumba, who had been working for eight years in traditional clinic settings. “It wasn’t until I attended a Concept pitch competition that I thought, ‘I could do this.’” 

The Concept $5K pitch competition gives ��ݮ��Ƶ students with innovative solutions and high-potential business ideas the opportunity to showcase their work and compete for grant funding. Participants receive valuable feedback, pitching experience and idea validation from a network of entrepreneurs and coaches. 

In spring 2021, MedAtlas won the Concept $5K competition, enabling the startup to use the funding to expand into West African nations and to add 20 doctors to their team. This past July, they were one of six early-stage startups to progress into Velocity where they will receive support to further refine their business model and proof of concept.

“Being at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, and having access to this entrepreneurship ecosystem, has given me the technical expertise and coaching to guide me through the process of building a startup,” Mutumba says.  

The future of health care in Africa

MedAtlas is focused on building a digital network of licensed specialists to offer accessible and affordable care. The startup launched with 10 doctors serving four countries: Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania and Rwanda.

In the beginning, the technology focused on holistic fertility care that treated patients’ physical health as well as offering mental health supports and counselling.  

“There is a lot of social stigmas around infertility and there is a huge psychological component when going through this journey,” Mutumba says. Along with the emotional and economic strain infertility can have, there is often devastating social and cultural stigma, particularly for women. 

MedAtlas also allows for the added comfort of seeking treatment from a patient’s own home. “Using digital technology means patients don’t have to travel to consult with a doctor, so there is an added element of privacy.” 

The startup has now expanded their offerings to include a range of specialties including cardiology, neurology, oncology and mental health – making it easier for patients to access a range of licensed clinicians. “I want MedAtlas to create the future of specialist health care in Africa,” she says. 

Leveraging Africa’s digital explosion

Africa is the fastest digital adopter in the world. Over the past two decades, it has seen the highest rate of increase in internet usage and connectivity compared to other regions. This is due in part to the widespread adoption of mobile phones and investments in internet infrastructure. Africa is also experiencing the youngest and fastest population growth globally.

Many businesses and startups are beginning to see the potential in this market, and Mutumba sees huge potential not only for the growth of telehealth but also for addressing inequitable access to care in Africa.

While internet quality and affordability are still a challenge for parts of the continent, more than 90 per cent of Africans now have mobile phones. MedAtlas is currently prioritizing nations that have infrastructure in place to support their online platform, and Mutumba is optimistic that innovation happening in the region will support further reach to expand MedAtlas’ services.

“As a PhD student, I’m very evidence-based, and I’m also impact-oriented. The connections I’m making through ��ݮ��Ƶ and Velocity will allow me to make an impact internationally. It’s exciting to be on the ground — especially in the place where I’m from — and see those changes taking place.”

Health

Global Impact

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Flying the environmentally friendly skies

Melanie Scott — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 19:43:10 +0000

Researcher Suzanne Kearns pioneers the ��ݮ��Ƶ Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics

Suzanne Kearns
Professor, Faculty of Environment
> Director, ��ݮ��Ƶ Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics

For as long as she can remember University of ��ݮ��Ƶ Aviation professor Suzanne Kearns dreamed of flying, and at the age of 15, she began training for a career as a pilot. On her 16th birthday — the first day she could legally drive a car — she flew solo for the first time.

If it could fly, Kearns was determined to master it.

At 17 she slept for months in a Toronto hangar just to get her helicopter license, becoming a wunderkind in her hometown of Wiarton, Ontario. The local paper joked, “Imagine that, flying helicopters and still wearing braces,” she says. 

Back then Kearns could never have imagined doubting her dream job. But as she, and the world, woke up to the fact that air transport is a key contributor to climate change, an unsettling truth began to sink in.  

“Given that relatively few people on Earth have the opportunity to fly, aviation’s outsized impact on the planet is unacceptable,” she says. “But, despite its drawbacks, I truly believe that aeronautics is a force for good. So, I have a new dream, and that’s to support aviation's movement towards sustainability.” 

In fall 2021 that new dream came one step closer with the launch of the ��ݮ��Ƶ Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA), making ��ݮ��Ƶ, and Canada, a pioneer in reforming an industry currently accounting for more than 2 per cent of global carbon emissions.  

“Unlike the auto-industry, research being done around the globe on how we can reform the sustainability of the aeronautics sector is still an emerging area,” Kearns says.  

But what exactly is sustainable aeronautics?  

Watch video on YouTube

Social Sustainability

“Sustainability goes beyond environmental considerations to include social and economic factors,” says Kearns, who first began exploring how sustainability-related to aviation several years ago when she created an Aviation Sustainability course in ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Faculty of Environment. 

Social sustainability is possible when the aviation industry has a competent and efficient workforce – a challenge pre-pandemic as the sector was facing global shortages of pilots, air traffic controllers, and maintenance engineers. This shortage was exacerbated by the lack of diversity in the sector, with only about five per cent of pilots being female and fewer People-of-Colour. 

“I remember what it feels like to be the only woman in the classroom, and to feel like your dream profession doesn’t have a place for you,” Kearns says. “Supporting equity, diversity and a sense of belonging in the industry is a critical sustainability consideration, supporting the viability of the future workforce.” 

For Kearns, interdisciplinary collaboration is key to WISA “I have been continually inspired by the passion and talent of my academic colleagues, uniting across disciplines to identify impactful research.”  WISA-affiliated researchers include social scientists and psychologists working in tandem with its engineers, technologists and environmentalists. 

“Social sustainability also includes professional competency which supports safe and efficient operations,” she says. “Today, 70-80 per cent of aviation accidents are caused by human error. WISA’s psychologists, vision scientists and kinesiologists examine factors, such as eyesight, fatigue and decision-making to build a comprehensive foundation of interdisciplinary research with the goal of passenger safety.” 

WISA brings together close to 75 researchers from all six University faculties. Its advisory committee includes Chris Hadfield, decorated astronaut, author, and pilot and industry experts from organizations including Transport Canada, NAVBLUE, an Airbus company, and the National Research Council among others. 

WISA researchers are targeting outcomes that apply the latest technology and social science in ways that will have an impact on policy, manufacturing, and training. 

Economic Sustainability

Kearns went into teaching at the age of 24 when her career prospects as a commercial pilot evaporated following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  

“I know first-hand, a more financially resilient aeronautics sector is better for workers, and better for stabilizing global markets,” says Kearns, who points out that the air transport sector is responsible for close to $6 trillion in international trade. 

Economic sustainability is more than solvency and job security.   

“Additive manufacturing, better known as 3D printing, can create new custom-designed plane parts made one at a time, any time and just in time,” she says. “This saves both time and resources. This kind of work is already being done at ��ݮ��Ƶ. What WISA does is mobilize that research towards aeronautical challenges.” 

Environmental Sustainability

“I understand people feeling guilty about flying because of the climate impact,” Kearns says. “But the truth is, it’s a challenging sector to decarbonize and often there just isn’t a substitute to flying. Our delicate COVID-19 vaccines arrived by plane, as do trillions of dollars of goods. And in our now globalized world, air travel is the only feasible way to connect with our loved ones living overseas.” 

With environmental interventions occurring in the auto, housing and manufacturing industries, aviation’s relative share of global emissions will only grow.  

��ݮ��Ƶ’s Faculty of Environment, where WISA is housed, is Canada’s largest faculty devoted exclusively to sustainability. Its experts work at the intersection of nature, human behavior and technology.  

“Environmental sustainability is where WISA’s transdisciplinary DNA really shines,” Kearns says. “We have applied mathematicians using algorithms to improve logistics, engineers improving aerodynamics, and chemists innovating batteries and renewable fuels. All of this adds up to lower carbon emissions, which is a central goal of ours.” 

Future focused

Just before the COVID-19 pandemic the global aviation industry was surging — accounting for 87.7 million jobs worldwide, with $3.5 trillion in economic impact, and supporting 4.1 per cent of global GDP. As the pandemic spread across the globe, the aviation industry ground to a halt.  

“As we emerge from closed borders and lockdowns, aviation is playing a critical role in reigniting the global economy by transporting goods, humanitarian aid and connecting us in person once again,” Kearns says. Additionally, the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Assembly recently committed to a new aspirational goal for international aviation of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

Achieving this will require technologies, innovative practices and future leadership to drive environmental, economic and social prosperity. WISA is uniquely positioned to work in partnership with industry and government to address these global challenges.

Since launching, the WISA team has taken many steps towards this mission. They’ve developed a new approach to master’s and doctoral studies with the launch of the Collaborative Aeronautics Program that enables students to add a focus in air transportation research to their studies. They’ve also brought Canada’s first commercially available type-certified electric aircraft to ��ݮ��Ƶ and hosted more than 200 industry, government, faculty and student attendees at the inaugural one-day Sustainable Aeronautics Summit to discuss sustainability innovations in aviation, aerospace and space.

“The big challenges facing the future of air transportation will require collaborative solutions. No single institution or field of study can address these issues alone. We must equip future leaders as experts in their chosen academic field with aeronautical training to catalyze innovative research – and foster industry and government partnerships towards impactful solutions.”

Meet Kearns at the ��ݮ��Ƶ Innovation Summit

On April 21, the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, in partnership with MaRS Discovery District, will bring together some of the world’s leading experts on sustainable aeronautics, electric and autonomous vehicles, clean energy and urban planning to reimagine the future of local and global transportation.

Environment

Sustainable Futures

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��ݮ��Ƶ startup testing nanotechnology to reach better postoperative patient outcomes

Uswa Zafar — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 15:11:47 +0000

Smart monitoring system is designed to help caregivers identify leaks, bleeds or potential infections early

Youssef Helwa (MASc'17)
Alumni, Faculty of Engineering
> Co-founder and CEO, FluidAI
> Velocity Alumni

Growing up, Youssef Helwa was fascinated by his mother’s stories about the patients she cared for as a surgeon. Those conversations became the inspiration behind his company, FluidAI. FluidAI, formerly NERv Technology Inc., is currently developing a smart monitoring system that will examine biological data and alert health-care providers to possible complications following abdominal surgery.

The current standard of care sees an average of eight per cent of all abdominal surgeries developing serious post-operative complications. The complications are typically clinically silent, presenting no symptoms until the issue becomes serious and life threatening. By the point of symptom onset, the complications can carry an average mortality rate of 12 per cent.

“The best way to comprehend the problem is to think about the operative care journey for patients,” says Helwa. “Patients come out of surgery, and unfortunately, a subset of these patients ends up developing some sort of complication. They start becoming sick with symptoms, and doctors must start playing the game of investigating why these patients are feeling sick.”

FluidAI’s smart monitoring system removes some of that guesswork by helping caregivers identify leaks, bleeds or potential infections much earlier than the current standard of care. Detecting these clinically silent issues before the onset of detectable symptoms allows the health care provider to intervene before the complication becomes critical. This reduces both mortality and the length of stay at the hospital in recovery.

“Right now, the timeline between investigation of the root cause and treatment is a problem. If you can pick up on the complication from the point it manifests and intervene or change how you're administering care to the patient, you could end up with drastically different results.”

Support through their university career and beyond

Helwa’s path to founding FluidAI started at the age of 15. Helwa was living in Saudi Arabia when he learned about the Nanotechnology Engineering program at ��ݮ��Ƶ. The following year, he began his studies and soon discovered the potential impact engineering could have on medical care. “I started to wonder if I could bridge engineering with current problems in medicine to come up with a way to have better results for how patients recover.”

Helwa soon became friends with Amr Abdelgawad, and the two began to build a vision of how they would disrupt the field of medicine.

“Both of us come from families who are in medicine. Together we aligned our vision and our objectives to make something happen. We worked on our ideas throughout our undergrad program, and then during my masters, I had a supportive supervisor who empowered us to continue to work on the company. That gave us access to state-of-the-art research facilities and great minds who helped us tackle one challenge after another.”

The growth of a biomedical ecosystem at ��ݮ��Ƶ

When Helwa and Abdelgawad founded FluidAI, the ecosystem for medical devices was new in the ��ݮ��Ƶ region.

“When we got started, there was a lot of knowledge and a lot of past experiences from software and hardware companies, but there weren’t many medical device companies. The ecosystem advanced dramatically over the last five to seven years. The number of medical companies increased exponentially. ��ݮ��Ƶ has been behind that change with the University’s biomedical engineering program and places like Velocity and Medical Innovation Xchange helping health-care startups.”

He credits the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ with preparing him to build FluidAI and embarking on the life of an entrepreneur.

“My time [at ��ݮ��Ƶ] was a valuable transformational experience for me. It's not like I come from a family of entrepreneurs. ��ݮ��Ƶ provided that strong entrepreneurial mindset and mentality.”

The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ is building out a pipeline for health innovation in Southwestern Ontario thanks to a $10-million investment from FedDev Ontario.

The investment will support a new partnership between Velocity, Western University, the City of Kitchener and Medical Innovation Xchange (MIX) to build a Southwestern Ontario Health Innovation network. This partnership will strengthen the Canadian tech ecosystem, specifically in the health and medtech sector by supporting innovators and entrepreneurs from start to scale.

Clinical trials and beyond

Today, Helwa is the Chief Executive Officer of FluidAI and he continues to focus on scaling his startup to a leading medical company. Abdelgawad is the Chief Operating Officer while other ��ݮ��Ƶ grads include Abdallah El-Falou, FluidAI’s Chief Technology Officer, who works on the development of the organization’s technology and Mohamed Okasha, FluidAI's Research & Development Scientist who has contributed to the development of the sensor technology.

FluidAI is in the process of conducting clinical studies at several sites across North America, including the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, and the company has recently raised more than $7 million in funding. They received Health Canada approval in early 2022 and expect to have a global reach with their ground-breaking device.

“Very recently, we reached the point where our devices are functioning every minute of every day on patients somewhere in the world. The feedback has been incredible. We went into the clinical studies with certain expectations, and so far, it’s been a blessing where we are surpassing every one of our expectations.”

Engineering

Entrepreneurship

Global Impact

Health Technology Innovation

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Engineering for change

Charlotte Danby — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 13:09:21 +0000

��ݮ��Ƶ Engineering hosts first IBET conference to boost academic diversity

��ݮ��Ƶ Engineering proudly hosted the inaugural conference this week for a fellowship program that was created to boost representation of Black and Indigenous scholars in engineering and technology disciplines.

The two-day event brought together IBET Momentum fellows and faculty members from partner universities across Canada to meet in-person, present research and chart next steps

Launched in January 2021, the Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology (IBET) PhD Project aims to address the urgent need to increase the number of Indigenous and Black academics in engineering and related fields.

Although it was initiated by the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, Dean Mary Wells of ��ݮ��Ƶ Engineering highlighted collaboration as crucial to the project’s success.

“Today, 16 Canadian universities are confirmed IBET partners with more in the pipeline,” said Wells. “We don’t have time to slowly grow our efforts for greater diversity and inclusion. We need to disrupt the academic status quo now and we’re doing that by working together to effect meaningful change.”

A busy path ahead

The IBET PhD Project includes the Momentum fellowship program, which provides recipients with $30,000 a year for four years while they pursue their doctoral degrees and specialized research in engineering, design and technology.

There are currently 30 IBET Momentum Fellowship recipients. Of that number, three are Indigenous, 27 are Black, seven are female and 23 are male.

“This journey is off to a great start, but we still have a busy path ahead,” said Dr. Tizazu Mekonnen, the IBET PhD Project director and a ��ݮ��Ƶ chemical engineering professor. “Our focus going forward is on increasing Indigenous recruitment, expanding our partner universities and building relationships with the private sector and government agencies.”

On top of receiving funding, recipients belong to a strong community of support with access to mentors in both academia and industry. The IBET project’s partnership with Mitacs, for example, allows fellows to gain valuable experience through industry, government and community internships. The partnership also strengthens the project’s relationship with the private sector and non-profit organizations, which is vital to its growth and success.

“Our partnerships are crucial in helping us build a well-supported and robust team of young researchers from underrepresented groups,” said Mekonnen. “Many of our IBET fellows will become role models for other Indigenous and Black people, empowering them to imagine careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) thanks to a more diverse representation in these fields.”

��ݮ��Ƶ Engineering IBET fellows

There are currently five fellows at ��ݮ��Ƶ Engineering. The first three, Biniyam Deressa, Debela Tesfaye and Stephen Robinson-Enebeli, began their research work in fall 2021. Iris Samputu and Joseph Tafese joined this year.

Iris Samputu IBET Momentum Fellow ��ݮ��Ƶ, PhD student in electrical and computer engineering

Samputu is an IBET fellow in chemical engineering. She has a BASc in chemical engineering and a BSc in biochemistry. Upon graduation, she started her MASc at the University of Ottawa, where she worked on the development of membranes for carbon capture.

Samputu's current PhD research work is on the development of air dehumidification membranes for application in renewable energy solutions.

“My career is off to a stronger start thanks to the IBET Momentum Fellowship,” said Samputu. “The financial and mentorship support is invaluable – and I’m part of a project that is doing important, game-changing work. We need more diversity in academia now.”

Jospeh Tafese IBET Momentum Fellow ��ݮ��Ƶ, PhD student in electrical and computer engineering

Tafese is an IBET fellow in electrical and computer engineering. He has an honour’s degree in software engineering (BSE) from ��ݮ��Ƶ, with a minor in cognitive sciences and an option in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Tafese’s PhD research focuses on automated reasoning and the formal verification of software.

“For me, the IBET Momentum Fellowship embodies the African proverb: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” Tafese said. “I am excited to belong to a strong community of mentors and partners across academia and industry who are all committed to realizing a better, stronger and more diverse tomorrow.”

Watch this video to learn more about the IBET PhD Project.

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Advancing the talent evolution

Claire Mastrangelo — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 16:56:29 +0000

��ݮ��Ƶ’s chancellor commits $1 million to support community-focused Indigenous students, aspiring leaders in global business and next-generation entrepreneurs

Dominic Barton, the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ's 11th chancellor, has committed $1 million to support the next generation of talent at ��ݮ��Ƶ.

Barton is a well-known leader in global business and a philanthropist, as well as a key supporter of the University.

“Dominic has created valuable opportunities for our researchers and students during his tenure as chancellor,” says Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor. “I’m deeply grateful for his ongoing support, and I’m delighted that he has built on his leadership with this meaningful gift.”

Barton’s gift will fund several initiatives including a new award for Indigenous students, an international travel program in the School of Accounting and Finance and the growth of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s entrepreneurship program, Velocity, at its new home in the Innovation Arena.

“Global forces, including rapid changes in technology, are redefining how we develop talent,” Barton says. “��ݮ��Ƶ excels at training the leaders of tomorrow. I’m proud to support this critical work as an ambassador of the University and as a donor.”

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Members of the University community thank Dominic Barton for his support.

Preparing future leaders to thrive

The chancellor’s investment will support the three pillars of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s strategic plan, Connecting Imagination with Impact:

Pillar #1: Strengthening sustainable and diverse communities

The gift will create an award for Indigenous students, reducing barriers to education and infusing the University with a range of new ideas and perspectives.

The Kiinomaagawin Zhoonia Award (which means “wealth of learning or teaching”) will be open to Indigenous students entering any full-time undergraduate program at ��ݮ��Ƶ. Recipients will demonstrate a combination of academic achievement and connection or contributions to Indigenous communities. Valued at up to $40,000 each, the first awards will be available in 2023.

A portion of the chancellor’s gift will also grow the Indigenous Opportunities Fund, which supports a broad range of programs, resources and outreach for Indigenous students at ��ݮ��Ƶ.

Dominic Barton receives a gift from Indigenous students and community members at ��ݮ��Ƶ.

Pillar #2: Developing talent for a complex future

Helping to shape the business leaders of tomorrow, the chancellor’s gift will expand a highly successful travel program in the School of Accounting and Finance. The International Study Trip introduces students to the business operations of multinational firms, offering students the chance to meet directly with leaders at global corporations. The gift will fund new trips to South Asia, allowing more students to participate in the program and develop intercultural skills for the future of work.

Pillar #3: Advancing research for global impact

Barton’s gift will also play a part in building the new home of the Velocity entrepreneurship program — known as the Innovation Arena — which will create more opportunities for entrepreneurs to combine research skills with business expertise and solve challenges in industry and society.

The Innovation Arena will provide business founders with access to high-tech labs, manufacturing equipment and sought-after collaboration space. These resources will equip founders to develop their products and companies, propelling economic growth in ��ݮ��Ƶ region and Canada.

“With this gift, Dominic is opening avenues for future game changers to pursue their highest aspirations,” says President Goel. “Our University community is deeply grateful for his generosity. It will have a profound impact on students’ lives and communities worldwide.”

Strengthening ��ݮ��Ƶ’s global collaborations

Sam Charles — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:54:45 +0000

As world travel opens up again, President Goel reflects on the importance of international partnerships

The challenges facing humanity are increasingly global in scale and require a more interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to uncovering solutions. It is why we work hard to build and foster international collaborations with institutions around the world. Recently, I travelled to Europe with Professor Ian Rowlands, Associate Vice-President, International, to deepen and expand connections with key partners.

After more than two years communicating with our partners abroad through various online platforms, it was inspiring to exchange ideas and perspective in person. Our travels took us to Germany and the Netherlands for meetings with leaders and researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Tech, the University of Twente, and Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). We discussed education, research, entrepreneurship, impact, and engagement and how to continue our engagements between researchers and students at our institutions. Our complementary strengths will serve as a strong foundation for impactful results in many areas including AI, robotics, automation, energy, health technology, pedagogy and commercializing deep tech.

The conversations and interactions that we had during our visits were richer and much more productive than what could have been accomplished online alone. Being able to engage with researchers in their facilities provided us with a deeper understanding of where we could all benefit moving forward. This isn’t to say that advancements in online collaborative technologies aren’t worthwhile. In fact, they must continue to play an essential role in how academia interacts. Strategically sequencing virtual and in-person engagement going forward will be critical to building impactful partnerships while reducing our carbon footprint.

These conversations were also a reminder that although our contexts vary, there are many similarities and opportunities for collaboration. Together, we are also focused on wanting our students to thrive, supporting researchers and working with our communities both locally and globally. Despite a pandemic and conflicts that continue to impact our world, post-secondary institutions continue to play an integral role in bolstering bilateral relationships.

I was proud to represent the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ community internationally. Our institution’s reputation continues to grow, and we see increasing numbers of institutions and industries around the world wanting to partner with us. This international interest is a reflection of the work that our faculty, students and staff undertake every day.

The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ was founded by local community leaders to meet the many challenges of the day and to propel the region, and our nation, forward. Since then, the scope has grown further to reflect a truly global context, and I am proud to see existing and new global collaborations that are pushing innovation forward.

In order to build upon our reputation and develop new international collaborations, we need to continue to connect with partners around the world and to engage in person at key points. We need to be innovative in the way we approach the challenges that continue to impact humanity, and we need to take the time to listen, learn and share ideas.

St. Paul’s University College announces Michaëlle Jean Scholars in International Development

Ryon Jones — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 17:10:20 +0000

The program will equip students to create positive change

St. Paul’s University College at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ announced the creation of the Michaëlle Jean Scholars in International Development.

“I was sincerely moved by the announcement of the scholarship program created under my name,” said Madame Jean after the announcement. “I am very proud to be associated with a major award in support of the International Development program, which has special meaning for me.”

The International Development program provides students with the right knowledge and intercultural skills to create positive change in overseas communities where there are issues of economic inequality, social justice, and environmental degradation. The Michaëlle Jean scholars who choose to complete the 8-month overseas field placement will be matched with an international organization best suited to develop their particular passion for furthering sustainable development within selected geographical areas or communities.

“The students who choose to study at St. Paul’s share the same duty to make Canada and the world a more just place as the former governor general,” said St. Paul’s principal Richard Myers. “This award will help put them in a position to succeed, especially the unique eight-month field placement for fourth-year students.”

The program is a partnership between St. Paul’s and ��ݮ��Ƶ’s School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED). In it, SEED delivers two-thirds of the academic programming through its undergraduate degree in International Development (INDEV). St. Paul’s delivers the remainder, including the experiential learning placement or thesis project.

Madame Michaëlle Jean served as Canada’s Governor-General from 2005 to 2010 and joined St. Paul’s to serve as its chancellor from 2020 to 2024.

Beginning in 2023, St. Paul’s will designate three incoming International Development students as Michaëlle Jean scholars per year. They will hold the title for the duration of their enrollment in the program.

There will be a continuous cohort of 12 Michaëlle Jean scholars studying at any given time. Recipients will be provided with a bursary of $7,000 toward the cost of residence at St. Paul’s in their first year and an annual book allowance of $1,000 in each of the remaining years of their program. The Michaëlle Jean scholars will be expected to show leadership in the student INDEV community.

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