The range and quality of research being done by academics at Canadian postsecondary institutions is beyond impressive. We’ve decided to highlight some of this great work in a regular video round-up. For our first installment, have a look at some research happening at Memorial University, the University of Manitoba, and the University of Waterloo:
Mapping icebergs
At Memorial University’s Autonomous Oceans Systems Laboratory, PhD student Zhi Li is part of a team working to improve the technologies for detecting, measuring and communicating data about icebergs. Mr. Zhi designs, implements and tests the system used to safely operate the unmanned SeaCat, an autonomous surface vehicle, around icebergs.
“Making right this wrong”
Kiera Ladner was recently appointed to the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. Dr. Ladner is a professor of political studies at the University of Manitoba, where she holds the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Politics and Governance.
Bringing sexy back
The University of Waterloo’s Dr. Stuart McGill, professor of spine biomechanics, and Natalie Sidorkewicz, a PhD candidate in health studies and gerontology, produced the first-ever study of the best sex positions for avoiding back pain. The researchers used infrared and electromagnetic motion capture systems – similar to the tech used in video games – to track how couples’ spines moved when attempting common sex positions. Their findings were made into a set of guidelines used by clinicians for counselling patients on back-healthy sex.