Hello!
Welcome to the first Applied Research newsletter.
As you may know, Seneca partners with organizations to help solve problems and identify new opportunities. We offer expertise, research and funding in a wide range of fields, including everything from aerospace to esthetics. In the past year, Seneca Applied Research received $2.2 million in funding and initiated close to 50 research projects.
The newsletter – published in July, November and March – will highlight some of the amazing research at Seneca. Whether you’re interested in new partnerships, funding opportunities, or upcoming events, there will be something for you in every issue. Plus, you’ll be able to read about the latest developments and how research makes a real difference in the world.
This issue features news about our latest research on agricultural techniques (with Just Vertical, pictured) and using Canadian raw materials in cosmetics. In addition, you’ll find a link to the Annual Seneca Innovation Showcase.
I would also like to encourage you to look over the upcoming funding opportunities from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). If you’re interested in these grants, or if you want more information about Seneca’s Applied Research please get in touch.
Ben Rogers
Dean, Seneca Innovation
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Just Vertical, an indoor vertical farming manufacturer, is collaborating with Seneca’s School of Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry to develop nutrient analysis, in order to produce high-yielding crops under optimized conditions. Kale, arugula, and tomatoes are among the plants being used to study how growth conditions — optimal or not — affect nutrients. This information will then be used to help customers with indoor-garden units increase specific vitamin, mineral and antioxidant levels in plants.
Duration: Eight months
Seneca Principal Investigators: George Clark and David Guevara
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Quillsoft, a leader in assistive technology software that helps people read and write, is partnering with Seneca’s School of Software Design & Data Science, to advance their text comprehension technology. It’s being developed initially for postsecondary students and provides a broad range of tools that support various active reading strategies. The Seneca team brings a deep knowledge of natural language processing and other machine learning techniques, which will help get the technology ready for early testing and feedback.
Duration: 30 months
Seneca Principal Investigator: Asma Paracha
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Hammam Spa by Céla, one of the largest independently run spas in the country, is collaborating with the Seneca Centre for Innovation in Life Sciences to evaluate and prepare skincare formulas. These will be made from Canadian raw materials with beneficial anti-aging and antioxidant properties. The research is being done to design a face oil and an anti-aging moisturizer, to add to the company’s branded skincare line.
Duration: Six months
Seneca Principal Investigator: Sonal Kamath
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Ontario Association of Residences Treating Youth (OARTY) is a provincial association of private residential services, whose members provide support to individuals needing temporary, short- or long-term residential care. They work with a variety of people, including those dealing with the aftermath of abuse and neglect, who require 24/7 care due to medical needs. OARTY is partnering with Seneca’s School of Community Services to conduct research into high staff turnover, especially in the context of burnout and vicarious trauma. Researchers from the Child and Youth Care program, will bring extensive knowledge of residential treatment realities and challenges, to suggest possible solutions.
Duration: Six months
Seneca Principal Investigator: Enza Badolato
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APPLIED RESEARCH AT SENECA (April - June 2022) |
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UPCOMING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES |
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NSERC College and Community Social Innovation Fund: These grants, worth up to $120,000 per year, support well-defined community innovation projects undertaken by college researchers with their partners from the public, private or not-for-profit sectors. Projects range from one to three years in duration. The application deadline is expected to be in March 2023. Learn more
NSERC Applied Research Development Grants: These grants, worth up to $150,000 per year, support research and development projects led by college researchers in partnership with private sector, public sector or not-for-profit organizations based in Canada, while encouraging collaboration with universities and/or other colleges. Projects range from one to three years in duration. Learn more
If you have a project idea, that might be eligible for these opportunities, please reach out to Seneca Applied Research to begin discussions.
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SENECA APPLIED RESEARCH NEWS |
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Sustainability and technology came together when Seneca and Cheekbone Beauty, an Indigenous-owned cosmetic company, teamed up to create a face mist made from Canadian raw materials, such as black spruce bark and willowherb.
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Seneca researchers worked with Vubble, an IT and communications company, to teach machines to help video editors. Their findings will help the company’s growing customer base, which includes the likes of the Canadian Film Centre, CTV News and U.K.-based Channel 4 News.
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Seneca received more than $640,000 in federal funding, which will help establish the Centre for Innovation in Artificial Intelligence Technologies. The grant will boost applied research to develop AI-powered business solutions.
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Seneca Innovation’s annual showcase featured Wendy Cukier, Founder of the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University, who explored the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion in innovation and entrepreneurship. You can watch Ms. Cukier’s talk and other sessions here.
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