Mohawk College’s Applied Research Pathway, Centre for Emerging Research Initiatives and applied research training modules offer a suite of supports for applied researchers.

Fostering a culture of research is a key strategic priority of Mohawk College and that happens on a number of fronts: backing established researchers leading key campus centres of innovation; helping emerging researchers firmly get rooted in their field of inquiry; and growing the ranks of researchers by inviting new people into the fold.

The goals are to provide more opportunities for applied research to students, to collaborate with more industry partners and to improve the rigour and success of the research that is undertaken, says Cristina Gage, Dean of Applied Research.

Mohawk College is home to subject matter experts in a realm of fields, including remote sensors, internet of things, drones, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital health, additive manufacturing and many others.

Converting that knowledge into an understanding of the demands, standards and rigours of research through Mohawk College’s Applied Research Pathway, a structured approach that builds the skills of new researchers – and the subsequent benefits to students and industry who can join that exploration – is a powerful model, says Andrea Johnson, who is general manager of the recently created Centre for Emerging Research Initiatives. 

“We know we have untapped resources of expertise amongst our faculty experts and we wanted to create more access to research training to develop their research skills and knowledge that can solve real-life challenges.”

Mohawk College, through IDEAWORKS, its applied research and innovation division, provides resources, support, mentorship and services to faculty, staff and students across the spectrum of research experience.

“Mohawk College has developed a flexible toolbox that supports researchers. The majority of our researchers work within defined innovation centres that employ professional staff,” says Jeff McIsaac, Dean of Engineering Technology & Aviation.

The Applied Research Pathway, developed by Johnson and McIsaac, operates in five levels, beginning with novice researchers, then emerging researchers and working all the way up to established researchers who are leading large projects and building a career in the field.

Researchers complete training and research activities and hit key milestones to move through to the next stage.

“We have researchers across the spectrum of experience, from someone just starting out who needs training and skills development and assistance in finding partners and building relationships to undertake their first project to those who have completed dozens of projects and are managing 10 to 20 researchers and a multi-million dollar budget,” says McIsaac.

“Those two researchers have a completely different set of needs, so with the Applied Research Pathway, we can identify where in the research journey they are and align our supports with that of the needs of 
the researcher.”

An element of the research pathway is a series of applied research training modules that are now open for enrollment to anyone, including individuals, industry and other institutions, and provide the resources for those who want to take on research activities but may be intimidated.

“How do you start? How do you pose a research question? How do you get funding? These are questions that someone new to research would have,” says Gage. “We know there are faculty and staff who 
are interested in research but haven’t had dedicated training.”

The modules also cover research ethics, how to protect intellectual property, how to apply for grants and how to achieve research objectives that create value for the region, province and country.

“The idea is to give back to the entire applied research community with training and knowledge. More applied research knowledge is better for everyone and makes the sector stronger. We really believe in the value of applied research and what it brings to businesses, community organizations and start-ups.”

Babitha Thampinathan, who teaches cardiac sonography part-time at the Institute for Applied Health Sciences, took the applied research modules earlier this year. She is exploring the integration of AI technology, such as a simulation mannikins to evaluate the impact of simulation-based learning.

“I have always planned to do applied research at the school and coming out of the pandemic, I renewed my commitment. I have participated in some clinical research but that’s different from finding an industry partner and funding.”

She said the modules were accessible, sequential and systematic and included videos, hands-on “drag and drop” activities, readings and self-assessments.

“I now understand the terminology of applied research, along with budgets and working with deliverables to research partners. I have referred my colleagues who don’t have a research background and they found it really helpful, too.”

Thampinathan credits the modules with helping her secure two grants, one through the IDEAWORKS Catalyst Fund and the other through an external funder. “I think it’s great Mohawk College has opened this up to external researchers. That is forward thinking and it shows the strength and value of applied research at the college.” 

This story originally appeared in Momentum Magazine.

Digital Health degree combines computer science, health care and business into one integrated discipline.

Oluwafemi Agbeye is among the first cohort of students in Mohawk College’s multidisciplinary Digital Health degree program, the College’s first standalone degree.

That group is now about half-way through the four-year program, while another cohort is finishing its first year. It combines computer science, health care and business and integrates research, applied learning and placements.

All those threads interest Agbeye.

He works as a support worker for people with developmental delays, sometimes working full-time hours. But he also loves to program and code and has his eye on one day managing a health care business that develops software.

Digital health is a broad field, encompassing everything from analyzing the data that helps clinicians make better treatment decisions to electronic health records to virtual patient visits to remote patient monitoring.

Right now, the concept of digital health and what those skills mean isn’t generally known but Agbeye is confident that his skillset will be in high demand.

Originally from Nigeria, Agbeye studied anatomical sciences and then computer science in Caracas for two years before deciding to move to Canada.

He started a personal support worker course in Toronto but then decided he should capitalize on his computer skills. He came to Mohawk College to study Software Development.

“When Digital Health was introduced, it really offered everything I was looking for, so I crossed over. I want a career that combines health care and IT.”

The program is challenging, says Agbeye, “but all of that comes with benefits. Knowledge comes from the challenge.”

Alongside courses in software development, mobile development and user interface design comes anatomy and physiology, patient safety and risk management, statistics, data analytics, telehealth, digital imaging, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship and project management.

“This is a demanding program with a robust workload,” says Varrasso. “It combines a higher-level theoretical understanding with the hands-on applied learning we’re known for at Mohawk College.”

“Student feedback is outstanding. They love the program.” 

This story originally appeared in Momentum Magazine.

Mohawk students have plenty of job opportunities to work in college labs and innovation centres. 

Deivy Munoz-AcostaDeivy Munoz-Acosta is among 40 students working on applied research projects at Mohawk College through the Campus Student Employment Program (CSEP), part-time contracts and co-op placements. 

A second-year student in the Computer Systems Technician-Software Support program, Munoz-Acosta works in image processing analysis. He evaluates sensor data across a number of parameters to evaluate a blast furnace’s working performance. 

He worked part-time as an international CSEP student in Sensor Systems and Internet of Things (IoT) Lab before being hired as a full-time research assistant last summer. Now, he’s doing a full-time co-op placement there. 

Munoz-Acosta has been working on a project with a national steel manufacturer that uses vision systems employing specialized image processing to determine whether the steel company’s blast furnace is running optimally. 

Other IoT projects have required him to use 3D modelling and coding skills. The lab, which includes seven research assistants, eight to 10 CSEP students and several full-time staff, takes on a great deal of industry work. 

Munoz-Acosta was a research assistant and a professor in electronics and mechatronics in his native Colombia. 

“I love research because you are changing projects and learning new things all the time.” 

He chose to come to Canada to further his career, and after exploring his options, he felt Mohawk College offered the most complete program for him. 

He learned about employment opportunities in applied research when he saw the on-campus applied research department in Mohawk College’s IDEAWORKS. 

“This is a big project and it’s applied directly to industry. It will be an important part of my resumé. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me.” 
 

Career path confirmed

David Brack, who is in his final year of Computer Engineering and Mechatronic Systems, also works in the IoT lab. During the time he worked on the project with a global leading steel manufacturer, he developed a computer vision algorithm based on thermal images. It automates a manual raking process to remove slag from molten steel in the steel manufacturer’s ladle metallurgy facility. 

The system gives the operators real-time feedback and suggestions, with the hope that will increase quality and consistency, says Brack. 

“This project has been a great challenge for me since a lot of the concepts needed, such as computer vision, are taught later in my program. I was also unfamiliar with thermal imaging, which meant I needed to review a large amount of research papers before starting to get familiar with the concepts.” 

His applied research work has demonstrated to Brack that he wants to pursue a career in computer vision and AI. 

“The project was a great opportunity for me to build on the skills I learned at Mohawk while challenging me to be creative and learn concepts outside my education and comfort zone. It forced me to think about what I want to do after I graduate and enabled me to make a plan to achieve those goals.”  

Research in the sky

Mackenzie Van Vliet spent a week experiencing cold like she had never felt before while working in -50C weather in Churchill, Manitoba in January to conduct cold-weather testing of drones for Hamilton-based company Skygauge. She is a research assistant in the Unmanned & Remote Sensing Innovation Centre (URSIC). 

Van Vliet, who is studying in the Digital Health degree program, had never considered working with drones, but when she happened upon a drone demonstration at a fair, she was immediately intrigued. Now she’s interested in how drones can be applied to health care. 

Since landing a job in URSIC, she’s worked on a series of projects, including using drones to measure the volume of ponds and to support police operations, and has landed advanced drone pilot certificate in advanced operations, issued by Transport Canada. 

“I am really excited to have it. I want to eventually become a flight reviewer after I get more flight time and knowledge.” 

She will continue travelling for projects, including back to Manitoba and to Ottawa and St. John, and says her job has exposed her to advanced software and to being involved in project management. 

“I’m part of weekly check-in meetings with clients. Everyone is so supportive in the lab and works really well together as a team,” she says. 

“We are getting to do things that haven’t been done before. If you want to try something, you try it. If it doesn’t work, that’s OK. You try something else.”

This story originally appeared in Momentum Magazine.

The team behind a technology start-up developing a plant monitor for home gardeners says Mohawk College’s Additive Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) helped them get to the next stage of their concept. 

EarthOne, launched by a group of Mohawk College and McMaster University graduates, brings together sensors that measure light, humidity, soil moisture, temperature and soil acidity into a dashboard in a wireless monitor, along with software that identifies plants and determines what they need to thrive in each category. 

“Our motto is science-based plant care,” says co-founder and CEO Sid Pereira. The idea is to make living sustainability more achievable. 

“There are many passionate home growers and this is a new generation of tool for them,” says Daniel Hacikyan, EarthOne’s head of operations. Both graduated from the joint B. Tech program of Mohawk and McMaster in 2019. 

The platform, which is set to optimize foliage, flowering and yield, can even forecast the harvest date of produce plants. 

When the team was challenged by mentors and investors to develop a functional prototype, they explored their options. 

After getting a quote for $200,000 for design services, a mentor at Innovation Factory suggested they look at AMIC at Mohawk College. A collaboration launched in January. EarthOne contributed $7,500 and in return got a design that was about 70 per cent complete, says Pereira. 

“It was phenomenal for us. I have nothing but good things to say. We learned how to design a printed circuit board alongside them and we were able to take the design from 70 per cent to 100 per cent ourselves.” 

AMIC also brought its expertise in advanced manufacturing to the design of sensors and a durable monitor case. 

EarthOne is now validating its product and platform with about 60 gardening enthusiasts. 

The project is supported in part by funding from the FedDev Ontario-supported Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI), a consortium of innovative Ontario colleges and universities that includes Mohawk College.   

This story originally appeared in Momentum Magazine.

 Three years ago, steel producer ArcelorMittal Dofasco approached Mohawk College with a desire to automate a manual raking process to remove slag from molten steel in its ladle metallurgy facility. 

“They wanted to get into the area of the new Industrial Internet of Things and to optimize a process through innovation,” says Dr. Esteve Hassan, director of the IOT Lab and Industrial Applied Research Chair in Interoperability Sensor Systems for IIoT Applications. 

That innovation involves machine visioning sensors that collect images and data and advanced image processing that drives a robotics platform. 

“It’s a highly variable environment of high temperatures and debris and smoke that makes the deployment of this technology challenging.” 

The project – believed to be the world’s first digitization at a ladle metallurgy facility – received a $300,000 Applied Research and Development Grant from the National Sciences and Research Council of Canada, as well as support from ArcelorMittal Dofasco and Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGEN), the advanced manufacturing supercluster. 

The IOT Lab is a centre of expertise, working with industrial partners to develops, validates and tests hardware and software solutions that enable companies to adopt leading-edge technology to improve efficiency, safety and quality. 

The IOT Lab works with industrial partners in a range of sectors, including transportation and automotive, energy and smart cities, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and wearable devices. 

“The pace of work in the lab is strong, whether it’s product development, process improvement or training. Whatever the project, students take centre stage.” 

After a delay due to the pandemic, the two-year ArcelorMittal Dofasco project, which involved five students and three staff leads, is now close to its finish. 

“It has been an excellent project with great support from the industry supercluster NGEN and from ArcelorMittal Dofasco. Our students and faculty did excellent work,” says Hassan. 

“Students were hired to complete challenging tasks. There has been a lot of very advanced self-learning involved. They met all expectations and beyond.” 

A project with Hamilton’s other steel company Stelco is now underway. 

Rob Glista, who is in his final year of Electrical Engineering Technology, worked on the automation side of the ArcelorMittal Dofasco project and says the experience has been extremely positive. 

“Because it’s been based in an educational institution, we have been able to do more discovery than what we would be able to do in employment. We approached this with many different solutions and explored each of them. I’m motivated by that.” 

Hanna Stewart, who graduated from Computer Engineering Technology in May, worked on machine visioning and imaging on the project. 

“Our job was to develop a method of gathering information using specialized cameras. It’s a difficult environment in which to get accurate measurements. There is smoke and heat and fumes that can be corrosive, so typical instruments get worn out quickly in that type of environment. We had to find a way to mount infra-red cameras to get a good view but far enough away from those hazards.” 

That involved talking to vendors, testing equipment and working with IT at the College and at ArcelorMittal Dofasco. 

Stewart, who now works in Mohawk’s MEDIC digital health lab, says the experience of this project was a “really valuable part of my education at Mohawk College. I got exposure to things you just can’t replicate in a classroom. And I learned that machine visioning is an area of interest for me, especially in health care.”  

This story originally appeared in Momentum Magazine.