Poster Presentations
Examining the Impact of Memory Inhibitor Therapy on Seizure Length in an Epileptic Mouse Model
Emerging Technology: Genomics & Synthetic Biology
Description: How rapamycin is reducing epilepsy
Name: Daniel Choi
Email: danielchoi0315@gmail.com
Year: High School
Major: Neuroscience & Computer Science
Intersection between Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience
Emerging Technology: Robots, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Description: How artificial network is similar to biological neuron, which also has image recognition CNN demo.
Name: Daniel Choi
Email: danielchoi0315@gmail.com
Year: High School
Major: Neuroscience & Computer Science
Quantum Computing using IBM Simulator
Emerging Technology: Robots, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Description: Focused on quantum mechanics, my project deepened understanding of the shift from classical to quantum computation. I explored key concepts like superposition and entanglement, demonstrating quantum teleportation through an IBM-simulated circuit. This enriches quantum computing discourse and knowledge.
Name: Siyeon Ryu
Email: siyeonryu0423@gmail.com
Year: High School
Shining blue light on allylic difluorides and carbon radical precursors to yield monofluoroalkenes
Emerging Technology:
Description: Monofluoroalkenes can be produced from anilines and allylic difluorides. This reaction therefore results in the selective cleavage of the strongest single carbon-element bond, the C–F bond! The transformation uses a metallic (rhodium, iridium) photocatalyst, which harnesses the power of blue light to enable the reaction. Blue light irradiation is crucial for this reaction; it simply would not be possible by thermal means.
Name: Esther Okeh
Email: estherokeh07@gmail.com
Year: High School
Major:
Investigating Sex Differences In Alzheimer Pathology
Emerging Technology:
Description: This project investigates the pathological differences presented by male and female mice with Alzheimer’s. It is important to identify these differences to develop sex specific treatments for the disease. It is the hope that with this investigation, more information about the difference in plaque and activated astrocyte development between sexes can be determined.
Name: Keelin McFadzen
Email: Keelin.mcfadzen24@gmail.com
Year: High School
Major:
Artificial intelligence speech device: A tool for research and health care in an older population.
Emerging Technology: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Description: An artificial intelligence (AI) device was used for the assessment of commonly used neuropsychological memory tests. Sixteen healthy older adults participated. Results from the tests administered by the audio AI system were reliable. The device has the potential to be used as a valuable tool in research and healthcare.
Name: Daniela Aguilar
Email: d.aguilarramirez@uleth.ca
Year: Doctor of Philosophy
Major: Neuroscience
Structural Rationalization for Enhanced Fluorescence of Restricted Rotamer Probes: A Molecular Dynamics Study of Modified DNA and DNA Aptamers
Emerging Technology: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Description: MD study to rationalize the structure function relationship of a family of chalcone derived electron transfer fluorescent probes. Calculations shed light on the origin of enhanced fluoresence.
Name: Makay Murray
Email: makay.murray@uleth.ca
Year: Four
Major: Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
Evaluating substrate preference and yield of blue oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) grown on crop waste and food industry waste.
Emerging Technology: Genomics, Synthetic Biology
Description:
Reusing, reducing and recycling are foundational concepts in sustainability. Yet, there is much to do to reduce waste from the food industry and find alternatives to reutilize byproducts of agricultural processes. Our objective in this project was to test a diversity of substrates that are either food wastes or agricultural waste for suitability and efficiency in oyster mushroom production, focusing on obtaining a quality product with maximized yield. We tested different substrates and supplementation options: Eggshell powder (ESP) versus Gypsum, hemp straw (HS) versus wheat straw (WS), and the effects of adding spent coffee ground (SCG) and spent brewers’ grain (SBG) to the mushroom formulations. Our results showed that ESP is a more suitable and cheaper option to increase oyster mushroom yield and production efficiency than Gypsum in all tested ratios (2-10 % w/w). ESP supplementation not only translated into larger heavier mushrooms but also faster production, with cultures reaching full colonization in approximately 25 days after inoculation (DAI) versus 30 DAI for Gypsum and 34 DAI for the control without supplementation. Cultures treated with ESP were ready to harvest in approximately 37 DAI, which was significantly faster that the cultures with Gypsum added (44 DAI) and the control (48 DAI). Interestingly, the addition of Gypsum didn’t increase mushroom yield, as these cultures produced similarly to the control and less than those with ESP supplementation, meaning investing in Gypsum to supplement wheat straw for blue oyster mushroom production might be an unjustified cost.
Our study also showed that HS is a better substrate than WS for oyster mushroom cultivation. Although yields were similar, HS cultures reached full colonization, pinning and harvest about 10 days earlier than the WS cultures, which makes a great difference in the efficiency of oyster mushroom production. Supplementation of HS cultures with SBG at both 20 % and 40 % SBG addition (w/w) produced the highest yields with values nearly doubling the amount produced by the non-supplemented HS cultures and the WS culture with equivalent supplementation. The addition of SCG, however, seemed to have a detrimental effect with mushroom yield deceasing as the ratio of SCG increased in the formulations.
Name: Adriana Morrell
Email:
adriana.morrell@uleth.ca
Year:
PhD
Major:
Agricultural Sciences
The Intersection of AI and Negotiation: Current Applications and Ethical Implications
Emerging Technology: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
Description: In the ever-evolving landscape of AI, comprehending its influence on the negotiation realm, encompassing aspects such as trust, equity, and the dynamics of human-machine interaction, is paramount as AI promises to make negotiations more efficient and data-driven but raises critical ethical and psychological questions. As AI systems become more sophisticated, understanding their impact on negotiation processes becomes essential for policymakers, business leaders, and the public.
Name: Alison Liu, Dr. Sidney Shapiro
Email: alison.liu@uleth.ca; sidney.shapiro@uleth.ca
Year:
MSc
Major: Dhillon School of Business
Showcase Participants
Paramoria Agri-Science Inc.
Paramoria Agri-Science specializes in developing technologies to combat emerging plant diseases and environmental threats to Canadian agriculture. By monitoring the environmental DNA signature of emerging plant diseases in farmer's fields with our novel spore traps, we aim to dramatically reduce the amount of pesticide required during the growing season. We estimate that fungicide usage can be reduced by 75% when diseases are actively monitored.
Emerging Technology: Genomics & Synthetic Biology
https://www.paramoriaagri-sci.com/
Brent Puchalski, CEO & Founder
Email: puchalsk@paramoriaagri-sci.com
Mycos & Mycos Health Fund
Raising awareness for health problems, providing scholarships to individuals who raise awareness, & creating natural solutions by utilizing mushroom extracts and state-of-the-art technology to alleviate ailments.
Emerging Technology: Genomics & Synthetic Biology
Gregory Robinson, CEO & Founder
Email: g.robinson@uleth.ca
Marta Gerasymchuk (CMO)
Email: marta.gerasymchuk@uleth.ca
Economic Development Lethbridge/RINSA
A 14 partner network of public funders, post secondary institutions, and entrepreneur service providers with a mission to uplift and nurture technology and innovation-based businesses.
Emerging Technology: All of the 4 major areas
Charlee Sereda, RINSA Program Manager
Email: charlee@chooselethbridge.ca
Synaptrain Technologies Inc.
The Nicola Computational Neuroscience Lab investigates how neurons can come together, and form functional spiking networks that produce behaviours and perform operations. We use a myriad of techniques in dynamical systems theory, applied mathematics, and machine learning to investigate how to couple neurons together to perform specific functions, or to elicit the rise of emergent behaviours. We work together with a diverse group of experimentalists both here in Calgary, and from across the world to investigate the power of biological neural networks, and biologically inspired learning.
Emerging Technology: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Wilten Nicola, Assistant Professor, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary
Email: wilten.nicola@ucalgary.ca
NeurAlbertaTech uLeth
NeurAlbertaTech Neurotechnologies Ltd. hosts natHACKS, natChats, Workshops, Demo Nights, and several other large-scale programs while our student chapters at the UofA, UofC, and UofL are in charge of local project teams and social events. natHACKS is an event like no other, inspiring beginners to develop practical neurotech skills and challenging competent hackers to apply themselves in this growing and exciting field. Spanning two weeks and culminating in a 64-hour hackathon weekend, the event will combine workshops, challenges, and networking opportunities for anyone interested in neurotechnology. With three different streams and separate judging criteria based on experience level, we're thrilled to allow neurotech enthusiasts to get their hands dirty in a diverse selection of projects.
Emerging Technology: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Davis Juell M.Sc(Neuroscience), Founder & President
Email: vp.lethbridge@neuralberta.tech
Spatial Technologies Applied Research and Training (START- Centre, Lethbridge College
The Spatial Technologies Applied Research & Training (START) Centre was created to partner with Alberta-based organizations to apply spatial technologies, such as virtual reality, to solve challenges in key Alberta sectors, including agriculture, energy, architecture, health care, cultural heritage and emergency response. Through access to advanced technologies and expertise, START accelerates the adoption of spatial media and technology to foster innovation.
Emerging Technology: Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and the Metaverse
Tyler Heaton
Research Advisor & Industry Liaison
Email: tyler.heaton@lethbridgecollege.ca
Southland Trailers Corp
Southland Trailer Corp. is the largest trailer manufacturing company in Canada. We are family owned and operated and bring a solid foundation and value system that has ensured growth while offering a variety of job opportunity to the people of Lethbridge.
Emerging Technology: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Kristin Jarvis, Marketing Event's Coordinator
Email: kristin.jarvis@southlandtrailers.com
Campus Alberta Neuroscience
Campus Alberta Neuroscience, established in 2012 with support from the Government of Alberta, is a province-wide neuroscience network connecting the Universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge to increase the impact of neuroscience and mental health research, education and translation, developing the province as an epicentre for neuroscience excellence. Through collaborative partnerships with researchers, government and health system stakeholders, industry and community organisations, CAN supports and accelerates innovative brain and mental health advances that improve brain health, patient care and quality of life in Alberta and beyond. For more information, please visit albertaneuro.ca.
Find out more about how CAN helps connect neuro-innovators with the right supports at the right time by building and leveraging existing infrastructure, expertise, and networks to foster a collaborative ecosystem that supports neuro-entrepreneurs who are in the process or have developed a neuro-related scalable product or technology that demonstrates value and desirability in the marketplace. Our programs are also helping to develop a strong and competitive talent base to support the growing health and life sciences industry and ensure long-term economic impact of the neurotechnology entrepreneurship and innovation in Alberta.
Emerging Technology: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Renée Dumas
Program Lead
Email: renee.dumas@uleth.ca
University of Lethbridge
Artificial intelligence, intellectual property and indigenous copyright
Emerging Technology: Automation and Datafication
Don McIntyre, Professor, University of Lethbridge
Email: don.mcintyre@uleth.ca