Research Manitoba, Mitacs partner to showcase intern research projects

Winnipeg, MB – Research Manitoba and Mitacs co-hosted a research showcase for the Manitoba Legislature, highlighting projects conducted by interns with industry partners. The projects represent the broad areas of research Mitacs supports from artificial intelligence and food security, to concrete infrastructure and road stability, to improved healthcare for Manitobans, Canadians and people around the world. The projects were made possible by the support of Research Manitoba.  

The projects highlighted include:

• Bold Commerce and Mitacs intern Uyen Uyen Thi Banh, PhD candidate at Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, researching customer loyalty;
• Cubresa and Mitacs intern Dr. Sheryl Herrera, University of Manitoba, investigating ways to improve imaging techniques for use in drug development, cancer screening and other healthcare advancements;
• Cypher Environmental working with Mitacs intern Riley Cram, master’s candidate at Brandon University, studying solutions to environmental challenges of unpaved roads;
• Intelligent Structures and Mitacs intern Dr. Basheer Algohi are developing a tool to assess the structural integrity of bridges in real-time;
• KGS and academic researcher Dr. Kidist Bogale Kibret are studying how specific organisms can improve plant growth;
• Myera Group and Mitacs intern William Robinson, master’s of engineering student at the University of Manitoba, are using artificial intelligence to better understand bee hive health and honey production;
• St. Amant, a person and family-centred resource for Manitobans with developmental disabilities and autism, is working with Dr. Shahin Shooshtrati and Mitacs intern Margherita Cameransi of the University of Manitoba to reduce barriers to health services;
• Vector Corrosion Technologies is working with Mitacs intern and PhD candidate Ahmed Gaber Rashwan Bediwy of the University of Manitoba to reduce corrosion of steel in reinforced concrete structures.

“Mitacs internships provide invaluable private-sector research collaboration and work experience for students; internships also help Manitoba companies to innovate, grow, and create jobs,” said Alejandro Adem, CEO and Scientific Director, Mitacs.

“These talented research interns address business challenges with innovative solutions, driving economic development. And the interns themselves develop advanced skill-sets through the training and business experience they acquire.” 

Over the past year, the Mitacs-Research Manitoba partnership has provided over 200 internships throughout the province. Since the partnership commenced in 2015, more than 500 internships have developed, working to advance Manitoba’s economic growth and prosperity.

Quick facts:

• Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation in Canada by solving business challenges with research solutions.

• Working with 60+ universities, thousands of companies, and both federal and provincial governments, Mitacs builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada.

• Open to all disciplines and all industry sectors, projects can span a wide range of areas, including manufacturing, business processes, IT, social sciences, and design.

• Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, along with the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, the Government of Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Government of Quebec, and the Government of Saskatchewan.

• For information on the impact of Mitacs internships, see vist: the Longitudinal Survey of Accelerate Program Interns.

Links:

• For information on Research Manitoba, visit: researchmanitoba.ca
• For information about Mitacs and our programs, see mitacs.ca/newsroom.

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From left to right:  Diane Gray (Chair of the Mitacs Board), Christina Weise (CEO of Research Manitoba), Hon. Blaine Pedersen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade) and Alejandro Adem (CEO of Mitacs)