May 27th, 2025 – Mohawk College emerging researchers have made significant strides towards supporting Canadian innovation thanks to funding from the 2024-2025 IDEAWORKS Catalyst Fund (ICF), which has supported 7 researchers across 9 impactful projects. From pioneering wellness programs to improving waste management and advancing medically complex care, this year’s ICF recipients have tackled real-world challenges with measurable success.
Since its inception in 2015, the ICF has played a crucial role in fostering research excellence at Mohawk College by empowering emerging researchers and facilitating collaborations with industry, non-profits, and community organizations. This fund has enabled faculty and staff to develop practical solutions to pressing issues while providing students with hands-on research experience, equipping them with the critical skills needed for their future careers.
During the 2024–2025 funding cycle, which concluded on March 31, 2025, the ICF supported key research initiatives that led to tangible outcomes:
Enhancing Waste Management Efficiency with Black Soldier Fly Larvae: Identifying Optimal Growth Parameters
In an innovative research initiative, Professor Nasim Muhammad is leading a project focused on optimizing the growth of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens), known for their remarkable ability to efficiently decompose organic waste. The project leverages advanced machine learning algorithms to optimize key environmental and chemical parameters influencing larval growth, with the goal of enhancing survival rates, improving developmental efficiency, and enabling more sustainable and scalable production systems. In collaboration with Infinite Harvest Technology (IHT), winner of this year’s Lion’s Lair, this initiative aims to enhance waste management processes and advance more sustainable and efficient operational practices.
The Optimal Model of Medically Complex Care and Services in Non-acute Care Settings
Professor Ashley Fry-O’Rourke from the Nursing department co-led a project in collaboration with the Thrive Group Centre of Excellence in Healthcare Innovation. The project was the first phase in developing a comprehensive care model and implementation guide for other long-term care and community organizations, enhancing health outcomes and reducing pressures on acute care. The project engaged students in digital health in research efforts to support the development of a digital tool for knowledge dissemination and a broader program adoption across Ontario.
Advancing AI Development for Intelligent Report Generation
Led by Professor Amin Azmoodeh from the School of Engineering Technology and Aviation, this applied research collaboration with GSPrimo Design Inc., an engineering service firm, explored the development of a functional AI prototype that would automate Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) report generation. Mohawk College software development students worked on the project and the development of LLMs, laying the foundation for the streamlining of GSPrimo’s environmental assessment process, allowing them to handle a higher volume of assessments with greater consistency and accuracy.
Advancing Physiotherapy with Markerless Motion Capture
In collaboration with Follomotion, a startup specializing in motion capture and optical tracking systems, researcher Saeed Toosizadeh of the School of Engineering Technology, is developing an MVP for an AI-powered markerless motion capture system for physiotherapy clinics. Building on Follomotion’s expertise in precise tracking technology, the system will enable physiotherapists to monitor patient movements without the need for wearable sensors, providing valuable insights into a patient’s range of motion and exercise adherence. With the support of student research assistants from Mohawk’s Software Development program, the project focuses on two key areas: camera synchronization for accurate multi-angle data capture and the design and implementation of a user-friendly interface and cloud-based service infrastructure.
IDEAWORKS Grant Release and Grant Preparation Fund
Alongside granting ICF Seed Funding to four new project initiatives, the ICF Grant Release Fund and the ICF Grant also provided funding to support researchers Babitha Thampinathan for a collaboration with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Stephen Adams for a collaboration with the National Airforce Museum of Canada, No 6 RCAF Dunnville Museum, and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, and Krissy Doyle-Thomas for a collaboration with Holland Bloorview Hospital and the The Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Network (POND).
Announcement about the 2025-2026 funding availability for emerging researchers has been announced via the new Steeves Family Innovation Fund. For further information, please contact [email protected].