Grants and Contributions

Contribution as part of the Policy Dialogue Program to Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation to assist in preparing for and engaging in participation activities associated with the ongoing Review of Legislative, Regulatory, and Policy Development Processes.

Contribution as part of the Policy Dialogue Program to Grand Council Treaty #3 to assist in preparing for and engaging in participation activities associated with the ongoing Review of Legislative, Regulatory, and Policy Development Processes.

Contribution as part of the Policy Dialogue Program to Kwikwetlem First Nation to assist in preparing for and engaging in participation activities associated with the ongoing Review of Legislative, Regulatory, and Policy Development Processes.

Contribution as part of the Policy Dialogue Program to Mikisew Cree First Nation to assist in preparing for and engaging in participation activities associated with the ongoing Review of Legislative, Regulatory, and Policy Development Processes.

Grant as part of the Participant Funding Program to Comité ZIP Côte-Nord Du Golfe to assist in preparing for and engaging in Indigenous consultation activities and public participation opportunities associated with the assessment process for the Regional Assessment of the St. Lawrence River Area.

Grant as part of the Participant Funding Program to Kitimat Terrace Clean Air Coalition Society to assist in preparing for and engaging in Indigenous consultation activities and public participation opportunities associated with the assessment process for the Cedar LNG Project.

Grant as part of the Participant Funding Program to Council of Canadians, Terrace BC Chapter to assist in preparing for and engaging in Indigenous consultation activities and public participation opportunities associated with the assessment process for the Cedar LNG Project.

There is little attention on the potential impact of spaceflight associated low gravity (microgravity) on joint health. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease, and it primarily affects the mechanical loading bearing structures of the joint. Its negative effect on patients' quality of life is enormous. Over 10% of the Canadian population suffer from osteoarthritis, and the most common joint affected is the knee. Knee osteoarthritis is prevalent in females. The reason for the high incidence of knee osteoarthritis in females is not fully understood.

This project will explore the use of simulated microgravity to understand the basis of the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in females. The findings of this project have the potential to discover novel drug targets for treating knee osteoarthritis to alleviate the burden of the disease in Canada and globally. Additionally, the project can potentially advance the use of simulated microgravity to study other joint disorders.

Observing and resolving the complex interactions that occur between the solar wind, the ionosphere and the neutral atmosphere are critical to understanding the role of the upper atmosphere and space weather in the sun-earth system.

The Ion-Neutral Coupling Experiment (INCE) aims to help close these gaps through the development and field testing of a new low cost, compact polarization interferometer. It is designed to observe thermospheric neutral winds from the ground and ultimately from space. Simultaneous and coincident measurements of neutral winds using this instrument and plasma drift parameters using existing ionosonde infrastructure are planned. These measurements will provide a detailed and unique window into ion-neutral coupling.

Spaceflights pose risk on the cerebrovascular health of astronauts because humans are not accustomed to living under microgravity conditions. To facilitate cerebrovascular health assessments, it is essential to monitor cerebral blood flow accurately.

This project will seek to advance the state-of-art in monitoring cerebral blood flow in astronauts (and humans on Earth) by designing a new non-invasive diagnostic tool that can robustly measure the volume flow rate through the internal carotid artery that supplies circulation to the brain. These space physiology investigations and engineering innovations will be crucial for understanding the cerebrovascular health risks of human spaceflights, especially for long-term space missions to Mars that require multiple years of space travel.

Our research investigations will also directly benefit cerebrovascular health monitoring on Earth, particularly in facilitating early detection of cerebral hypoperfusion. As the elderly population is especially at risk of experiencing cerebral perfusion problems, the outcomes of this project will serve well to address diagnostic needs in promoting health aging of the elderly (and the overall Canadian population). In addition, the proposed technology will be relevant for use in remote, resource-limited communities in rural Canada. Moreover, from a talent development perspective, this project will foster several trainees to develop multidisciplinary expertise at the frontiers of space physiology and ultrasound technology. In turn, it will help Canada build an outstanding talent pool for medical device innovations.