Grants and Contributions

Astronauts need to know where they are relative to their spacecraft as they move about in microgravity. The Principal Investigator (PI) team’s previous experiments demonstrated that astronauts adapt quickly to the novel perceptual environment of the International Space Station (ISS) and can reliably estimate how far they have moved in a straight-line using vision alone. However, other experiments have demonstrated that the perception of self-rotation in microgravity may be disrupted. The PI team’s proposed experiment assesses how effectively an astronaut can keep track of their starting position (their “home-base”) after experiencing a combination of linear and rotational visual information indicating motion along a three-dimensional path typical of that experienced in the ISS. Motion will be experienced passively and participants will judge the distance travelled and the direction of home-base following the motion. Keeping track of one’s home-base is a critically important skill for emergency egress or efficient travel. Understanding errors made will suggest compensatory strategies.

This project aims to develop an AI and satellite-based tool to enhance boreal caribou habitat mapping in the Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam community, adding a spatio-temporal dimension and supporting research.

This project aims to enhance satellite-based mapping and monitoring of coastal ecosystems, with an initial focus on Eeyou Istchee, where the Cree Nation has reported habitat degradation. It will conduct R&D to improve mapping of submerged vegetation and coastal ice.

This project aims to leverage Earth observations from satellites, drones, and ground-based technologies (e.g., mobile phones) to improve the ability to quantify, map, and monitor biodiversity in the complex mosaic of land use and land management of agricultural landscapes.

This project aims to deliver on-demand Earth observation tools for biodiversity monitoring using the SkyWatch cloud platform, combining VAP processing, VHR landcover, and specialized data to turn optical, SAR, and hyperspectral imagery into actionable insights.

This project aims to develop a hyperspectral-based capability to map plant species from space, focusing on enhancing spatial resolution of hyperspectral data and assessing its effectiveness for plant species mapping.

NatureCounts, the largest biodiversity data repository in Canada, is a technology platform used to collect, analyze and share critical information on bird populations. This project aims to develop the tools needed to integrate SEO information into the collection and interpretation of biodiversity data.

The objective of this project is to contribute to Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Arctic Sciences assessment of the impacts of climate change and human activities on the ecology of Arctic marine mammals by integrating Satellite Earth Observation data into marine ecosystem monitoring.

This project aims to develop a framework to guide investments by analyzing spatial and temporal changes in land cover and biodiversity indicators using Earth observation and AI in five case study watersheds.

This project aims to develop a web-based GIS software prototype that will provide remote sensing based algal bloom detection, algae concentration, and water quality assessments and monitoring. This technology will benefit Canadians by enabling healthier ecosystems that provide clean air, water, and local climate regulation.