Research Assistant for 'Points of Access' (Book Project)

Co-edited collection of essays for Rowman & Littlefield - inclusive of associated work for the Association for Philosophy and Literature (which runs the book series in question).

Analyzing the spatial distribution of trace elements in bone

The Canadian Light Source, a synchrotron facility in Saskatoon, SK, has a multi resolution X-ray Fluorescence Imaging beamline that is used for health-related studies of metals in living systems. This 80-hour project will involve working remotely to learn and use the software for analysis on data that will be collected during an eight-hour test scan of a bone thin section to identify the spatial distribution of trace elements such as strontium and zinc.

Summer Statistical Consulting Projects

I taught STAT 496 (Statistical Consulting Project) in Winter 2023, a capstone course for our applied statistics majors. A couple of projects required follow-up; I would like to recruit a student to complete the necessary follow-up and handle several new consulting projects in the summer. I currently have two potential projects (Lyne Honey from psychology and Ross Shaw from biology) and three new consulting projects.

Hopf algebras

For every locally compact abelian group G, the set of characters is also a locally compact abelian group and the Pontrjagin theorem says that the double dual is isomorphic to the original group G. For a non-abelian group, a generalized dual can no longer be defined in the form of a group. One has to look for a larger category, namely quantum groups in the form of Hopf algebras. The objective is to study Hopf algebras in the setting of C*-algebras and von Neumann algebras such that a generalization of Pontrjagin duality is obtained.

BIOL 421 course development

We would like to re-design our BIOL 421 course (Techniques in Molecular and Cellular Biology) to improve our students' learning experience by incorporating the use of a positive control into student projects. The ability to observe positive results, even in more challenging projects, will significantly benefit students in the course, but the implementation will require the optimization of time and resources.  

Develop of a plugin to an Automated Assessment Platform for Providing student Feedback

Providing meaningful and just-in-time feedback is an essential part for student learning. Often with large, first year Computer Science courses, marking labs involves assessing programming code. Instructor corrections can often be foreign to a beginner programmer. The goal of this project is to design, develop, and implement a feedback system within a marking platform which in the end offers students corrections and learning aids specific to their assessments.

Populist Attitudes Literature Review Project

The students will conduct a literature review on one of two topics. Each student will be focused on a separate topic. Freedom Convey Female populist supporters

Caterpillar colony production and maintenance (Phase 3)

The student will produce and maintain a colony of forest tent caterpillars in the insect growth chambers in the MacEwan Department of Biological Sciences research laboratory. These colonies will be used for field and lab research, which the student may assist with.

TV Studio Summer Internship 2023

In the TV Studio in Allard Hall, there are a wide range of projects to be completed. These projects can be done both in-person and remotely, and they will provide a wealth of experience for students to further develop critical skills in media production. Through these paid internships, students can learn how a studio operates, and work in a cohesive team environment to improve the quality and range of services offered by MacEwan University. Student interns will develop and build industry contacts, and increase the visibility of MacEwan services within the Edmonton area. For these TV Studio projects, we are interested in working with and engaging the local community. This is an opportunity to work in a multi-faceted production environment, to hone your skills in media production, and equip you with skills critical for employment in journalism, communications, and media production.

Franklin's Ground Squirrel Research - Field research assistant (Phase 3)

Franklin's ground squirrels are a poorly-studied species in Alberta that may be at risk of extinction, and to address this we are collaborating with Nature Alberta to learn more about this species. In this project, the student will complete field surveys and will also lead outreach activities with the public. The outreach events and activities will help promote the project in order to encourage data submission from people across the province, enabling everyone to help contribute to our knowledge of this species. The student will also complete data entry remotely.  

Investigating semi-Dirichlet matrix operator algebras - Phase 4

Operator algebras are collections of linear functions on geometric spaces of vectors called Hilbert spaces. Operator algebras represent collections of physical observables in quantum mechanics, and have also found application to many other mathematical fields. In the last 50 years, the study of operator algebras which are "non-selfadjoint", such as algebras of triangular matrices, has been especially fruitful. Of special interest in modern research-level mathematics are non-selfadjoint operator algebras which are "semi-Dirichlet". In this project, a MacEwan undergraduate research assistant will instigate a theoretical and/or computer classification of those finite-dimensional operator algebras which are semi-Dirichlet. In the most basic cases, such algebras can be classified using directed graphs. A celebrated theorem of Burnside describes the structure of any finite-dimensional algebra, and a classification of the semi-Dirichlet property will combine graph theory and Burnside's Theorem. By the end of this project, the student will produce an article suitable for publication in an undergraduate or research-level journal. This is new mathematical research carried out by an undergraduate researcher at MacEwan University, supervised by Drs. Adam Humeniuk and Chris Ramsey.

Investigating semi-Dirichlet matrix operator algebras - Phase 3

Operator algebras are collections of linear functions on geometric spaces of vectors called Hilbert spaces. Operator algebras represent collections of physical observables in quantum mechanics, and have also found application to many other mathematical fields. In the last 50 years, the study of operator algebras which are "non-selfadjoint", such as algebras of triangular matrices, has been especially fruitful. Of special interest in modern research-level mathematics are non-selfadjoint operator algebras which are "semi-Dirichlet". In this project, a MacEwan undergraduate research assistant will instigate a theoretical and/or computer classification of those finite-dimensional operator algebras which are semi-Dirichlet. In the most basic cases, such algebras can be classified using directed graphs. A celebrated theorem of Burnside describes the structure of any finite-dimensional algebra, and a classification of the semi-Dirichlet property will combine graph theory and Burnside's Theorem. By the end of this project, the student will produce an article suitable for publication in an undergraduate or research-level journal. This is new mathematical research carried out by an undergraduate researcher at MacEwan University, supervised by Drs. Adam Humeniuk and Chris Ramsey.

Students' Perspective of Success Strategy – a quantitative and qualitative evaluation

The Success Strategy is a game plan to accomplish the goal of individual students in a course. It is an individual’s unique strategic plan based on aspirations and available resources. Although each student is expected to have a distinctive blueprint for what to do for a course during the entire semester, everyone has a target to reach or a goal to achieve. Simplistically defined, that can be a grade. The purpose of this assignment is to help students on several fronts. i. Each student identifies a personalized goal to achieve in the course, works toward the goal, and evaluates it at the end. ii. The student is to take ownership of her/his actions – to identify objectives, allocate resources, seek help from the instructor, and the like. iii. This strategy is expected to help students to become punctual and reduce procrastination by being reminded to be on track. iv. This task allows students to think of the course content as a holistic package rather than an approach, which would enable students to comprehend the ideas fully. So, the ultimate objective is to enhance learning that stays – an opportunity to contribute to life-long learning. As part of this assignment, students are to prepare two short reports – one at the beginning and one at the end of the semester. The first report is the student’s plan on how to achieve the goal in the course. The second is reflecting and evaluating that plan and finding out what worked and what did not. Again, each plan and evaluation are unique and specific to students. No two plans or assessments are expected to be identical. Students are to submit both reports to receive credits. These reports are brief and do not require much time. 3. Description of the tasks the students will be completing for you The Riipen student will compile the gathered data from pre- and post-reports of individual students, enter it on a spreadsheet, and examine it for potential quantitative and qualitative statistical analysis. 4.

Agricultural Productivity and Nutritional Security in Bangladesh Phase #2

Bangladesh is a highly densely populated country with an average population density of over 1200 people per square kilometer. Agriculture remains the primary source of nutrition to the country’s population of 166 million, although the economic contribution of agriculture in terms of its share of GDP continues to decline. The agriculture sector has progressed over the past half a century since its independence in 1971, especially in increasing productivity in nearly all subsectors – crops, livestock, poultry, fish, and others. However, the increasingly shrinking availability of productive land, fragmented landholding, and the lack of ample capital assets pose serious challenges to coping with the expanded population and offering sufficient nutrition. In this paper, we would like to examine the trajectory of Bangladesh's agricultural and food production system over the past couple of decades and what role it has been playing in offering nutritional security to the people of Bangladesh. We will also explore the contribution international trade plays in providing nutritional security for the people.    The specific objectives are: 1.      Identify per capita production of different food crops and examine the trend. 2.      Identify the variability among different food products and their trend 3.      The per capita availability of major nutrition: protein, carbohydrate, fat, etc. 4.      Trends of other health and nutrition variables [i.e., infant mortality, life expectancy, live birth weight, women anemic, etc.,] 5.      Relate agricultural productivity with nutritional security. 6.      Recommend policy options The raw secondary data for this project has already been downloaded from different sites, especially FAOSTAT, the World Bank Databank, and the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Some literature searches and downloading literature have also been done. This was the first phase of the project.

Case Management: Complex care coordination of clients accessing services for complex issues Phase #2

This study has been initiated by our team in collaboration with the The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN), a community agency that supports immigrants and refugees in Edmonton through its programs and services. We are completing a needs assessment to support the agency with the development of a case management model for clients accessing service. 

Young People are the Future: Youth Engagement in Living History Museums Phase #2

Young People are the Future explores youth engagement in living history museums. We look at museum education, youth volunteers, field trips, camps, birthday parties, and youth councils.   Logo Design Basic Web Page Design

The Ground Up? Podcast - Music Production Phase #2

For a music composition student to create original music for a podcast about urban food foraging.

Operational Process Development, Phase 5

We are looking for a student to help develop operational processes and systems We think this project will include: Learn existing systems and processes Identify areas for improvement Revise procedures and processes Document procedures and processes Create systems that improve operational effectiveness and efficiency Other administrative tasks as needed Meeting with supervisor weekly

The Caregivers - Research

Do a review of existing literature about artist-mothers, academic-mothers, artist-academics, and artist-mother-academics

Franklin's Ground Squirrel Research - Field research assistant (Phase 2)

Franklin's ground squirrels are a poorly-studied species in Alberta that may be at risk of extinction, and to address this we are collaborating with Nature Alberta to learn more about this species. In this project, the student will complete field surveys and will also lead outreach activities with the public. The outreach events and activities will help promote the project in order to encourage data submission from people across the province, enabling everyone to help contribute to our knowledge of this species. The student will also complete data entry remotely.  

Linguistic Landscape and Indigenous Naming Project

This project involves documentation and analysis of Indigenous language use on public signage in Edmonton and investigates processes of place naming in the city from an anthropological point of view 

Case Management: Complex care coordination of clients accessing services for complex issues.

This study has been initiated by our team in collaboration with the The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN), a community agency that supports immigrants and refugees in Edmonton through its programs and services. We are completing a needs assessment to support the agency with the development of a case management model for clients accessing service. 

Investigating semi-Dirichlet matrix operator algebras - Phase 2

Operator algebras are collections of linear functions on geometric spaces of vectors called Hilbert spaces. Operator algebras represent collections of physical observables in quantum mechanics, and have also found application to many other mathematical fields. In the last 50 years, the study of operator algebras which are "non-selfadjoint", such as algebras of triangular matrices, has been especially fruitful. Of special interest in modern research-level mathematics are non-selfadjoint operator algebras which are "semi-Dirichlet". In this project, a MacEwan undergraduate research assistant will instigate a theoretical and/or computer classification of those finite-dimensional operator algebras which are semi-Dirichlet. In the most basic cases, such algebras can be classified using directed graphs. A celebrated theorem of Burnside describes the structure of any finite-dimensional algebra, and a classification of the semi-Dirichlet property will combine graph theory and Burnside's Theorem. By the end of this project, the student will produce an article suitable for publication in an undergraduate or research-level journal. This is new mathematical research carried out by an undergraduate researcher at MacEwan University, supervised by Drs. Adam Humeniuk and Chris Ramsey.

Caterpillar colony production and maintenance (Phase 2)

The student will produce and maintain a colony of forest tent caterpillars in the insect growth chambers in the MacEwan Department of Biological Sciences research laboratory. These colonies will be used for field and lab research, which the student may assist with.

Data Analysis and Knowledge Dissemination RA for Gender-based Violence Prevention Project

The student on this project will be part of the The Queer Joy project's exploration of what queer and trans epistemologies about consent and queer joy offer the project to end gender-based violence. This contract is for the last part of the project which will involve engagement in data analysis and knowledge dissemination processes, which may include analyzing data and participating in knowledge dissemination including the development of academic journal articles, a public-facing report, and a public event to share study findings. 

Loose Parts Play - Parent Child Play

Examining parent-child play types, duration, and engagement with loose parts: How parental income, educational attainment, and children's age and cognitive functioning shape loose parts play LPP is defined as children’s engagement with open-ended and interactive materials (e.g., acorns, pipes, tires) used all at once and is widely claimed to be a foundation for developing creativity, divergent thinking, and problem-solving. Yet, despite widespread recommendations, empirical research on children’s engagement in and benefits from LPP is lacking. Our research addresses this omission by observing 75 3- to 5-year-old children/parent dyads engaged in indoor LPP. These pairs will be divided into two equal groups and assigned to play with either (I) loose parts or (II) single-/limited-purpose toys (control). Using an experimental design incorporating qualitative and quantitative data collection and analyses, each pair will be observed in two unstructured play sessions using the same toys to identify play types, duration, and engagement levels. We will recruit participants from our partner community organizations who serve socioeconomically, culturally, and linguistically diverse families and children relevant to Canadian diversity. As part of our evaluative process, we will incorporate parent reflection on their play engagement into our evaluations and assessment.   

Operational Process Development, Phase 4

We are looking for a student to help develop operational processes and systems We think this project will include: Learn existing systems and processes Identify areas for improvement Revise procedures and processes Document procedures and processes Create systems that improve operational effectiveness and efficiency Other administrative tasks as needed Meeting with supervisor weekly

Wellbeing & Cognitive Processes and the Animal - Human Bond (Phase 2)

This project is designed to facilitate the design and communication of research on how pet animals influence psychological wellbeing and cognitive processes (e.g., social perceptions/relationship dynamics, memory, judgements). Project team members will be responsible for designing/deploying research tools to achieve project deliverables, statistical analysis, and engage in knowledge mobilization activities.

Wellbeing & Cognitive Processes and the Animal - Human Bond (Phase 1)

This project is designed to facilitate the design and communication of research on how pet animals influence psychological wellbeing and cognitive processes (e.g., social perceptions/relationship dynamics, memory, judgements). Project team members will be responsible for designing/deploying research tools to achieve project deliverables, statistical analysis, and engage in knowledge mobilization activities.

Behavioural Neuroscience in Zebrafish Spring-Summer 2023 (Phase 2)

This project will involve behavioural neuroscience testing in zebrafish. Students will perform application of various compounds of interest and study behavioural responses with a variety of paradigms. Potential substances of interest include toxicants like PFOS, legal drugs like ethanol and nicotine, as well as terpenes, to name a few. The goal will be to study dose-dependent impacts of these substances on anxiety-like behaviour and locomotion