quanta magazine - spring 2012
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Mohawk College’s premier issue of Quanta, an annual publication celebratingsome of the most exciting research takingplace at the college and in the greater Hamilton region.TRANSCRIPT
Interview: Nafia Al-Mutawaly and Team are Protecting the Grid
In the Spotlight at Mohawk
Feature: Health & Wellness get a Workout in New Program
Tomorrow: Brought to you by Mohawk College
Spring 2012
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QuanTa Spring 2012 | 1
1 Welcome
2 Healthy, Well-thy and Why
6 Researcher Profiles
8 Wastewater Treatment Gets a Kick in the Carbon Footprint
12 Breast Practices
14 Music to our (Babies’) Ears
16 In a Complex Healthcare Environment, Seeing is Believing
20 Simulation-Enhanced Learning
22 Stakeholder Comments: Why is research at colleges important?
24 Power to the People: An interview with Nafia Al-Mutawaly
28 A Message from the Chief: Ted Scott
W elcome to Mohawk College’s premier issue
of Quanta, an annual publication celebrating
some of the most exciting research taking
place at the college and in the greater Hamilton region.
It’s a great word, ‘quanta’. It means distinct, fundamental
amounts of something, typically energy. A quantum of
energy would be the tiniest amount of energy possible.
A quantum leap, on the other hand, describes a chasm-
crossing bolt of insight to some previously unknown
truth or understanding. Quanta is a tribute to all the
energy expended, and the chasms crossed, by the
many R&D teams at work in the labs and offices
throughout Mohawk College.
This issue takes a look at the different types of research
conducted at Mohawk: research that’s innovative,
responsive, and applicable to industry.
Faculty-driven research in health and education provides
evidence-based results for clinicians to implement
breastfeeding guidelines more effectively in hospitals.
And it improves the health curriculum to better
prepare students for clinical practice through simulation.
Applied research projects involve industry partners –
often small businesses in emerging fields – who benefit
from our faculty’s expertise and our students’ talent.
Read about the collaborative carbon footprint modeling
research done at Mohawk with a global software
company located here in Hamilton and a new music
enculturation program that got its start at Ontario
Early Years Centres.
Quanta is a journal for, and about, the innovators – at
Mohawk, in industry and in our community – that are
doing work that makes a difference in our lives and in
our world. We hope you enjoy our premier issue.
Welcome
Contents
Pamela Hensley Valerie Mitanoff
Healthy,Well-thyand Why Shelley Lang coaches student
Stephanie Gaston on the pull component
of the Physical Abilities Requirement
Evaluation (PARE) circuit while student
Amber Silversmith awaits her turn.
2 | QuanTa Spring 2012
in 2007, Mohawk Justice faculty member,
Dennis Campbell (who for 12 years has
prepared law enforcement, corrections and
law & security students for extreme physical rigors),
proposed a new program.
Dennis knew the growing physical/personal training
market well. He pointed out that, while the healthcare
and fitness arenas have many areas of overlap, there
were no programs preparing well-rounded graduates
to meet those combined needs in the marketplace.
Personal trainers (who may take anything from a
weekend course to a two-year certification) have limited
understanding of proper nutrition for a healthy
lifestyle. Nutrition counsellors may not explore social
or psychological components of wellness. And so on.
What evolved from this insight was a new Health,
Wellness & Fitness Diploma program offering a holistic
perspective on emotional health and fitness. The
curriculum deals with the psychological, physical
and emotional benefits of human health, essentially
rewriting the standards for many career paths.
The Health, Wellness & Fitness Diploma program joined
Mohawk’s syllabus in fall 2009. It’s grown from a
team of two to ten faculty and technologists. Program
expansion has exceeded the most optimistic estimates.
A PRoGRAM IS BoRn, oPPoRtunItIES ARE CREAtEdThe new program offers training for multiple in-demand
skills. As our population ages, and fitness and health
suffer, our healthcare industry calls for prevention
while simultaneously trying to reduce strain on GPs
by redistributing certain aspects of care. This new
program’s timing couldn’t be better.
Offering preventative and restorative instruction,
nutrition counselling, sports psychology, motivation,
wellness and physical training, the HWF program
produces graduates who will become ideal partners
in today’s healthcare environment.
HAndS uP. And HAndS onNo program of this nature can be conceived without
strong theoretical grounding. It includes rigorous classes
in wellness, psychology, anatomy, physical training,
exercise science and more. And an equally demanding
practical component.
Lab work, research and hands-on training in every
semester of the two-year program give students
‘work-ready’ confidence.
This dual-focus approach creates uniquely qualified
practitioners who’ll raise standards of care in numerous
health, wellness and fitness settings: corporate,
academia, research, private practice (the program’s
business studies encourage entrepreneurial students)
and more.
FACuLty IS PuMPEdFaculty members, Cassandra Cope, Dan MacLennan,
Derek Vandenbrink, Chantal Szpak, Dennis Campbell
and Nick Petrella, are enthusiastic, committed and
accomplished program leaders.
A new program takes shape at Mohawk
dennis Campbell counsels Anna Cyrus
after her attempt at the PARE circuit.
QuanTa Spring 2012 | 32 | QuanTa Spring 2012
Here are some insights into the program’s strengths,
directly from those who shaped the curriculum:
“One of the great features of the HWF program is the
hands on ‘Living Lab Experience’ which provides students
with the skills required to work in the industry.” d.C.
“There’s a lot to like about the program, but incredible
support from Mohawk has been critical to both triggering
and managing the rapid growth of the program. Our
state-of-the-art equipment is upgraded when the next
advance is made, so students graduate with the most
up-to-the-minute experience possible.” C.C.
“Our team is extremely diverse and current. We have a
finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the industries
we serve, and the support to build the program to meet
those needs.” d. V.
“The ‘Living Lab’ opportunities we offer give such great
experience to students. The classroom leads right to the
client here; students emerge with good grounding in
developing a rapport with, and understanding the
needs of, their future clients.” d.M.
“Through a very easy-to-sell co-op program, our
students are out in the community, developing corporate
wellness programs, working with law enforcement,
raising standards at health and fitness clubs and more.
Even within just a couple of years, the demand for
graduates with the skills and experience we deliver
is obvious.” C.S.
“There is a passion for research here that every
student gets exposed to. It doesn’t just come from our
co-op or lab programs. It’s the way we love to work.
It’s not that research is a requirement of some sort…
it’s a given.” n.P.
And tHE FIRSt to BEnEFIt FRoM tHE PRoGRAM wAS… MoHAwk“It’s been a rare privilege, not only to witness the
remarkable early success of the Health, Wellness &
Fitness program, but also to see how the group as a
whole has created connections and programs within the
college for everyone’s benefit,” offered Jo-Anne Procter,
Associate Dean, Justice and Wellness Studies.
“It wasn’t long before a natural partnership with our
Justice program evolved. HWF faculty, students
and co-op students work with classes of future law
enforcement, firefighters and corrections workers to
help them meet the demanding physical side of those
careers. Since cooperation between programs began,
HWF students have assisted Police Foundation students,
enabling them to pass the physical assessments required
for graduation (PREP). And HWF students, in return,
get invaluable direct, personal client experience,”
Procter concluded.
The college benefits in other ways, too. HWF regularly
presents seminars, lunch-and-learn sessions and other
community initiatives. The program has become a
healthy component of life at Mohawk.
But… tHIS IS not juSt An In-HouSE PRoGRAM! The HWF influence has grown within Mohawk, and
developed (perhaps even more rapidly) outside the
college, too, as co-op students and faculty forge an
expanding network of corporate, government and
health industry connections. Some highlights:
Chantal Szpak and
Cassandra Cope measure
body composition using
the RjL system.
4 | QuanTa Spring 2012
• Hamilton-area high schools felt the full force of
HWF during the first annual Fit For Future (or F3)
Challenge. Over 100 athletes participated! The event
was richly applauded, and is sure to grow. Athletes
tested their potential in an environment incorporating
education and awareness. High school and college
students collaborated to promote healthy living.
• On the research front, an HWF team is currently
pursuing approval and funding to partner with a major
fitness manufacturer with the joint aim of delivering
what will be among the first mobile VO2 studies
exploring the energy cost of “functional” exercise.
Traditional VO2 testing usually involves stationary,
in-line exercises. Using new, portable, backpack-
style equipment, we can now determine how much
oxygen is needed, and how many calories are burned,
in a less-constrained fitness arena. We will explore
oxygen consumption during strength, fitness and
movement training. A more technical description
of the study: “Explore metabolic costs of
multidirectional training, through study
of loaded multidirectional movement.”
Exciting outcomes expected! Influenced by
our exemplary record of training recruits, the
Halton Regional Police Services have partnered
with HWF to offer job-specific workplace
wellness education – a program well into
implementation. And, based on that success,
several other area police services have expressed
interest in pursuing similar partnerships.
• For McMaster Innovation Park, the HWF faculty and
students initiated fitness and personal training tests
and assessments. In keeping with our mandates,
these deliver healthy living programs including
fitness, wellness and nutrition.
• One of Mohawk’s 2011 HWF co-op students,
Joanne Smith, orchestrated the Dofasco Health
& Wellness Fair, catering to over 5,500 Dofasco
employees. The event was a tremendous success.
• HWF’s ‘Core Fusion’ program develops assessment
and training plans for individuals, organizations
and amateur sports teams. The program helps
improve understanding of movement, balance and
coordination, for injury prevention and overall fitness.
We fine-tune it for the participants, from weekend
warriors to elite athletes.
• And the initiatives continue, as each faculty member
plans for the months (and students) ahead.
Recent (and exciting) HWF initiatives
It’S ALL ABout A FLyInG StARtThanks to strong partnerships between faculty and
administration, and the hard work of everyone involved,
the program is a smash success and will continue to grow
for years. The department’s expansion to ten faculty
(including five HWF program graduates!); our enrollment
increasing by 30 to 40 students each term; and more
opportunities daily all point to a wonderful future
for HWF.
Perhaps the greatest accomplishment (so far!) has
been the program’s ability to deliver grads with the
confidence, experience and vision to succeed. Offering
that flying start gives the very best result. This program
truly has the well-prepared graduate in mind.
For More iNForMATioN AbouT THe HeAlTH, WellNess &
FiTNess DiPloMA ProGrAM, To iNquire AbouT reseArcH or
PArTNersHiP PossibiliTies, or jusT To TAlk WellNess For A
WHile, PleAse coNTAcT AssociATe DeAN jo-ANNe ProcTer
THrouGH THe MoHAWk colleGe sWiTcHboArD.
QuanTa Spring 2012 | 54 | QuanTa Spring 2012
Res
earc
her
P
rofi
les
LESLIE MuRRAyThe Simulator
With 17 years experience at a
trauma hospital, a background in
research and a love for teaching,
it’s natural that Leslie Murray is
now researching the benefits of
simulation-enhanced learning as a
tool to prepare students for clinical
practice. Leslie began to make the
transition from hospital to classroom
in 1997, when she accepted a
teaching position at the Michener
Institute for Applied Health Sciences.
Leslie is currently a professor in the
collaborative Mohawk-McMaster
Medical Radiation and Rehabilitation
Sciences program and a member
of the Hamilton Health Science/
Faculty of Health Sciences
Research Ethics Board.
MARk yEndtThe Wastewater Warrior
Before joining Mohawk’s faculty
of Engineering Technology, Mark
was one of the early developers
of software for the wastewater
treatment industry. He contributed
to the development of software
used for estimating the fate of
toxic chemicals in wastewater
and predicting water treatment
plant disinfection and chemical
by-product formation. He also
started a company that developed
environmental management
software used by industrial
dischargers in Ontario and is a
past co-recipient of the Harrison
Prescott Eddy medal for Noteworthy
Research, awarded by the Water
Environment Association. Today,
Mark teaches and develops
advanced level courses in Mohawk’s
Software Development program.
He stays on the leading edge of
software development through his
involvement with iDeaWORKS and
his mentorship of students working
on collaborative applied research
projects with industry.
6 | QuanTa Spring 2012
nAnCy MAttHEw-MAICHBest Practitioner
Nancy is a Professor in the School
of Nursing at Mohawk College
in the Mohawk-McMaster-
Conestoga Bachelor of Science in
Nursing program. She is actively
involved in the development,
implementation and evaluation
of numerous workshops to foster
evidence-informed decision-making
in students, faculty and clinical
preceptors in many organizations
and healthcare sectors. Other
research interests include knowledge
translation, clinical practice guideline
implementation and uptake, faculty
development and reflective practice.
Nancy recently completed a PhD in
Nursing (Nursing Research Sciences)
at McMaster University. She is the
recipient of the 2008, 2009 and
2010 Registered Nurses’ Association
of Ontario (RNAO) Best Practice
Guideline Doctoral Fellowship
funded by the Ministry of Health
and Long Term Care. Read about
her work exploring the processes
involved in the implementation and
uptake of the RNAO Breastfeeding
BPG and its impact at multiple levels
throughout the healthcare system.
LAuREn BRydGESBaby Maestro
Lauren is a registered Early
Childhood Educator and instructor
at Mohawk College in the Early
Childhood Education diploma
program, ECE Intensive, ECE
Apprenticeship and Continuing
Education. She also manages
Today’s Family Ontario Early Years
programs for Hamilton Mountain,
where she evaluates the needs of
families and children, develops new
programs and collaborates with
numerous agencies to enhance
services. Lauren’s commitment to
learning, professional development
and program innovation lends
itself to research, while her thirty
years of experience working with
Hamilton families make her the ideal
conduit between academia and the
community. Teaming up again with
Mohawk colleague David Gerry
and McMaster University’s
Dr. Laurel Trainor, Lauren’s next
project involves researching the
benefits of introducing the Suzuki
Early Childhood Music Program
to children aged 0-6 years at the
Ontario Early Years programs.
duAnE BEndERThe eHealth Investigator
Duane is a Principal Investigator at
the Mohawk eHealth Development
and Innovation Centre (MEDIC),
which focuses on the application
of information technology to
healthcare. With the sponsorship
of NSERC, Duane and his team are
building a reference implementation
of the national electronic healthcare
record system architecture, as
published by Canada Health Infoway,
using HL7v3. He’s also a licensed
Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and
enterprise technology architect with
nearly 20 years practical experience
in software engineering and systems
development. Duane teaches in the
faculty of Engineering Technology
and, when not in the classroom,
enjoys hobby farming and playing
guitar in a cover band.
QuanTa Spring 2012 | 76 | QuanTa Spring 2012
PRojECtImplementation of a Carbon Footprint Model for Wastewater Treatment
RESEARCH tEAMRajeev Goel, Mark Yendt, Andrew Blackbourn, Zahraa Khalil
PRoGRAMSoftware Development, Chemical Engineering Technology
FundInG PARtnERFederal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
WastewaterTreatmentGets a Kick in the CarbonFootprint
8 | QuanTa Spring 2012
PRojECtImplementation of a Carbon Footprint Model for Wastewater Treatment
RESEARCH tEAMRajeev Goel, Mark Yendt, Andrew Blackbourn, Zahraa Khalil
PRoGRAMSoftware Development, Chemical Engineering Technology
FundInG PARtnERFederal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
C arbon footprint modeling of wastewater
treatment plants is used to estimate carbon
dioxide (CO2) (biogenic/non-biogenic),
nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH
4) emissions for
regulatory and inventory requirements. Such modeling
is an important part of decision-making during the
planning and designing stages of wastewater treatment
plants. Evaluations of plant configurations that can help
minimize the formation of greenhouse gases are now
being integrated into project studies.
CuRREnt APPRoACHES to CARBon FootPRInt EStIMAtIonOf the several carbon footprint modeling approaches
available for wastewater treatment, some use empirical
emission factors (IPCC, 2006), while others like
CHEApet (WERF, 2011) are based on mass balance
and mechanistic modeling. Dynamic process simulators
(based on mechanistic models for carbon, nitrogen and
phosphorus removal) are already commonly used for
plant design and optimization. These existing removal
processes incorporate most of the essential information
required to also estimate the carbon footprint of these
plants. Extending the removal models with carbon
footprint measurement capability offers the following
potential benefits:
1. Flexibility of process configurations – the process
simulator enables users to investigate any process
scheme with different operational conditions.
2. Reduced model inputs – few additional inputs are
required for carbon footprint modeling.
3. Coupling performance with carbon emission –
the trade-off between the process performance and
size of the carbon footprint can be evaluated using
process simulators.
4. Steady state and dynamic evaluation – it is
possible to evaluate the effect of change in the
plant-loading and operational conditions on the
N2O and CH
4 output.
Influent Primary Clarifier Aeration Tank Secondary Clarifier Effluent
Digested SludgeAD
FIGuRE 1. PLANT LAYOUT FOR A TEST PLANT
Implementation of a Carbon Footprint Model for Wastewater Treatment
QuanTa Spring 2012 | 98 | QuanTa Spring 2012
FRoM IMPLEMEntAtIon to EStIMAtIonBased on these considerations, a project was
undertaken, under the FedDev Ontario program, to
implement a carbon footprint estimation model in the
GPS-X plant-wide dynamic simulator. The objective
was to develop a mechanistic, dynamic platform for
estimation, optimization and reporting of carbon
emissions and offsets for an entire wastewater
treatment plant.
The three-stage development and implementation of
the model included a review and summary of proposed/
existing carbon methodologies for wastewater
treatment plants; the formulation of a consistent
framework applicable to both wastewater treatment and
bio-solids handling; and, finally an implementation of a
carbon footprint estimation methodology within GPS-X.
Carbon emissions are classified in three categories
(Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3) according to IPCC
(2006). For each category, emissions, offsets and net
emissions are estimated based on user inputs. The
carbon footprint model was tested using a benchmark
wastewater treatment plant that had previously been
used in a carbon emission study (Enviromega Inc.,
2002). The plant configuration, as shown in Figure 1,
is a standard wastewater treatment process for
biochemical oxygen demand removal and nitrification.
The average wastewater composition and average
annual flow rate were used to run the model for steady
state conditions. The model was able to match the
important plant data after calibration. Assuming that
any organic carbon in the wastewater is from non-fossil
sources, the CO2 produced at different processes can
be completely offset. It is also clear that the flaring
of CH4 is important to reduce the CO
2 emissions from
the plant. Further CO2 offsets can be achieved for
Scope 2 if energy recovery options (from the flaring)
are considered at the plant. A breakdown of the total
emitted carbon indicates that the largest contribution
is due to the burning of natural gas for digester heating.
This case study will be expanded in the final paper
and will show the effects of energy recovery, N2O
production and solids disposal on the total carbon
footprint of the plant.
The carbon footprint model implemented in a dynamic
process simulator will help wastewater professionals
evaluate the effects of plant configuration and
operational strategies on the carbon footprint and
effluent quality side-by-side. The implementation
provides a one-platform solution to model wastewater
and solid-handling facilities for holistic assessment.
the carbon footprint model will help wastewater professionals evaluate the effects of plant configuration on greenhouse gas output.
10 | QuanTa Spring 2012
10 | QuanTa Spring 2012
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PRojECtImplementing Breastfeeding Best Practice Guidelines
RESEARCH tEAMNancy Matthew-Maich; Jenny Ploeg; Maureen Dobbins; Susan Jack
PRoGRAMBachelor of Science in Nursing
FundInG PARtnERRegistered Nurses’ Association of Ontario
BreastPractices
12 | QuanTa Spring 2012
Implementing and Using Best Practice Guidelines in Three Ontario Hospitals
T he Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario
(RNAO), in partnership with the Ontario
Ministry of Health, has taken a leadership role
in developing and implementing numerous guidelines
for nursing and healthcare professional practice. This
study aimed to contribute a better understanding of the
complex processes involved in implementing and using
the RNAO Breastfeeding Best Practice Guidelines (BPG)
in three acute care hospitals, and also to understand the
system impact.
Constructivist grounded theory was used to guide
the development of a theoretical model
of BPG implementation, use and
impact. Purposive and then
theoretical sampling resulted
in the recruitment of 112
healthcare providers and
clients. Triangulation of
data sources and types
occurred through in-depth
interviews (120), documents
and field notes. Concurrent
data collection/analysis occurred.
Three researchers analyzed data and
confirmed codes and categories. Member
checking was done.
Essential processes for implementing and using
the guidelines were identified and integrated into
a Knowledge Transfer Framework. They are:
1. Respected, passionate frontline leadership igniting
and supporting the changes.
2. Ongoing multifaceted strategies by frontline leaders
tailored to nurses’ readiness to change.
3. An individual change process was facilitated in nurses
with distinct phases, in which they transformed
from practising without evidence or BPGs, to using
and believing in the BPGs as a guide to daily nursing
practice. The change phases included: learning;
doubting, fearing and resisting; trusting to trial new
practices; getting outcomes feedback; believing
in and using new practices; and disseminating
new practices to colleagues and patients.
4. Ongoing evaluating and revising implementation
processes, facilitators and barriers.
The perceived impact of implementing and using the
guidelines includes enhanced nursing practice
consistent with the BPG, professional
pride and job satisfaction,
consistency of breastfeeding
practices, patient satisfaction
with hospital stay and
breastfeeding support received,
better inter-professional trust
and relationships, improved
organizational image, stronger
community partnerships and inter-
organizational resource sharing. When
the BPG was implemented without uptake,
the result was mixed messages for patients and low
satisfaction with hospital stay.
The RNAO Breastfeeding BPG resulted in important local
and system impacts when effective implementation
processes were used. Implementation processes
illuminated in this study were fundamental to the
guideline uptake in these contexts. BPG implementation
is a systems issue and needs to be viewed as such with
both implementation and evaluation efforts.
FuNDiNG: rNAo besT PrAcTice GuiDeliNe DocTorAl FelloWsHiP;
oNTArio MiNisTry oF HeAlTH AND loNG TerM cAre
QuanTa Spring 2012 | 1312 | QuanTa Spring 2012
Music to Our (Babies’) Ears
PRojECtMusic Enculturation in Infancy
RESEARCH tEAMLaurel Trainor; Céline Marie; David Gerry; Elaine Whiskin; Andrea unrau; Lauren Brydges
PRoGRAMDepartment of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (McMaster university); Music Studies and Early Childhood Education (Mohawk College)
CoMMunIty PARtnEROntario Early Years Centres
14 | QuanTa Spring 2012
M usic is a cornerstone of human culture. It
is experienced, performed and enjoyed in
everyday life, throughout all societies, and
used to mark important occasions of all kinds, from
weddings to funerals and everything in between. The
ability of music to engender a common emotion and
engage people in cooperative social behaviour likely
explains why music is ubiquitous in religious rituals,
sporting events, cooperative work engagement,
interactions between caregivers and infants and a
near-endless list of other examples one could formulate.
Part of the power of music lies in the fact that it is
generative – it does not simply consist of a fixed set of
vocal signals, but rather a structural framework in which
an unlimited number of musical compositions is possible.
Furthermore, although there are biological constraints
that shape the range of possible musical structures (or
instruments), the particular structures used vary from
musical system to musical system and, even within a
musical system, these structures evolve from generation
to generation. For infants, learning to become full
participants in their culture, this necessarily involves
becoming sensitive to, and specialized in, the particular
musical system of that culture.
tEStInG StARtEd At 6 MontHS oF AGELeading in to this study, it was hypothesized that
musical enculturation takes place through social
interaction and participation in music making. To test
this idea, 6-month-old infants were randomly assigned
to participate for six months in one of two weekly,
hour-long music classes for infants and parents. In
the Active Classes, parents and infants learned songs
and participated in drumming rhythms; in the Passive
Classes, music was played in the background while
infants and parents engaged in other activities. A total
of 38 infants completed the musical training, as defined
by attending at least 75% of the classes. After this
participation, the infants’ sensitivity to Western tonality,
their aesthetic preferences, their brain responses to
musical sounds, and their social development were all
measured. As a benchmark, brain responses
and social development were also measured at
the beginning of the program. It was not expected
that there would be any sensitivity to Western
tonality or aesthetic preferences at 6 months of
age, so these measurements were only taken at
the 12-month mark. The parent/infant classes
took place at Ontario Early Years Centres,
which are government-sponsored
drop-in centres for preschool children
and their families.
RESuLtS ARE In – BABIES CAn BooGIEThe program results indicate that
active participation leads to earlier
enculturation to tonal pitch
structure, in other words, an
increased sensitivity to the rules
of Western music. Furthermore,
suggestive evidence that exposure
to Western classical music leads to
earlier sensitivity to aesthetic norms for
musical expression in this genre was also
noted. Intriguingly, the social context of the
musical experience appears to be crucial, such
that infants in the Active Classes, where parents
and infants participated in active music making together,
showed more positive social developmental trajectories
compared to infants in the Passive Classes. Finally, the
results indicate that differences between these two
groups can also be measured at the brain level, with
larger and/or earlier event-related potential responses
to musical sounds evident in the Active Classes group
compared to Passive Classes group after but not
before participation in the classes. Previous studies
in older children have indicated that musical exposure
and training are associated with more advanced brain
responses but the current study is the first to show
effects of musical training on sound processing in the
brain during the first year after birth.
Music Enculturation in Infants Under 12 Months
QuanTa Spring 2012 | 1514 | QuanTa Spring 2012
PRojECtProviding visualization software for large scale health informatics communities
RESEARCH tEAMDuane Bender, H. Keith Edwards, Justin Fyfe, Paul Brown
PRoGRAMComputer Engineering Technology
FundInG PARtnERMohawk College initiative
In a ComplexHealthcare Environment,Seeing isBelieving
16 | QuanTa Spring 2012
PRojECtProviding visualization software for large scale health informatics communities
RESEARCH tEAMDuane Bender, H. Keith Edwards, Justin Fyfe, Paul Brown
PRoGRAMComputer Engineering Technology
FundInG PARtnERMohawk College initiative
it is often difficult for users and developers
to conceptualize what is occurring within
an enterprise system. Mohawk College has
developed a Visualizer to present a graphical display
of healthcare transactions within the Electronic Health
Records system. Visualization is an important tool for
understanding complex interactions in large-scale
communities of interdependent systems.1 In the
area of health informatics, software
components from numerous
vendors frequently
work in concert to
provide services to
clients such as patients,
labs and primary care
physicians. Collections of these
software services form communities
that provide a common set of services to
specific clients and that can interact with
other communities. Visualization software such
as Mohawk’s Visualizer software can provide
important information about the complicated
interactions between the disparate components
in heterogeneous vendor communities.2 Mohawk
College has employed the Visualizer to showcase
the interactions in vendor communities at small-scale
interoperability showcases such as the COACH (Canada’s
Health Informatics Association) conference in Canada. In
this paper, we discuss how to scale the implementation
process to allow the Visualizer to demonstrate
interoperability at larger showcases such as the HIMSS
(Healthcare Information and Management Systems
Society) conference in the United States.3
RELAtEd woRk“Visualization is a sound means to facilitate
understanding of complex correlations and offers a
broad variety of concepts.”4 Visualization can also be
combined with data mining and statistics to handle large
amounts of heterogeneous data as part of an approach
known as Visual Analytics.5
Roque et al. provide a comparison of means
by which visualization can be used
to understand health records
from the viewpoint of a
physician.6 Of the six
systems discussed in
Roque, most target the
physician as the primary user.
A timeline approach allows for the
correlation of events within a patient’s
history using electronic health records.
Visualization can also be used to understand
interactions between components in large-scale
distributed systems such as the approach and
tools discussed in Howard et al.1 The Visualizer
from Mohawk takes a middle ground between these
approaches to show the infrastructure of the software
components involved in transactions on electronic
health records. The Visualizer uses a graphical display to
visually demonstrate the systems involved in healthcare
transactions using the results derived from healthcare
security audit (RFC3881 standard) messages.7
dESCRIPtIon oF CHALLEnGEMohawk College initially deployed the Visualizer at the
COACH eHealth 2008 conference in Vancouver, British
Columbia, and has demonstrated its functionality at
Providing Visualization Software for Large-Scale Health Informatics Communities
QuanTa Spring 2012 | 1716 | QuanTa Spring 2012
several other showcases since. In 2012, Integrating the
Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) asked Mohawk to deploy the
Visualizer as part of the 2012 HIMSS conference in Las
Vegas, Nevada. HIMSS 2012 offered an opportunity to
see how well the software would scale since previous
showcases had approximately 10-20 vendors with
1-2 use cases. HIMSS 2012 had over 90 vendors with
11 different use cases, which meant a significant scaling
of the functionality of the software and the process.
IMPLEMEntAtIon And RESuLtSParticipation in HIMSS required diagram construction
and setup at the conference. The setup followed a
process of obtaining IP addresses for the individual
vendors, communicating with the vendors and scenario
managers to have them send messages to the Visualizer,
and parsing the vendor messages from the wire to tie
them to the individual components on the diagrams.
While the implementation was ultimately successful,
the implementation team was able to identify
numerous ways to make the process more efficient:
• Capture IP addresses as part of the message
• Require audit message repositories forward all
data to limit number of vendor contacts needed
• Construct a self-service sign along with a
one-page instruction sheet to more easily
communicate with vendors and allow them
to connect to the Mohawk Visualizer
• Be involved in the construction of the use cases from
the beginning of the process to allow students more
time to design the diagrams
All four of these recommendations would allow a greater
amount of detailed information about the environment
earlier in the process, which is a critical component for
successful implementation of software in a complex
environment.8, 9
ConCLuSIonS And FutuRE woRkVisualization is an important component for
the understanding of complex transactions in
heterogeneous distributed environments. In the realm
of health informatics, visualization can help healthcare
practitioners and management to better understand
the role of individual components as they relate to the
business process flow. Hence, scalability of visualization
software is of vital concern to practitioners. Mohawk’s
Visualizer software was able to scale from smaller
communities such as COACH Canada conferences to
larger gatherings such as the HIMSS conference. It also
provided four ways in which to make the implementation
of this software scalable and repeatable. Future work
will focus on the evaluation of the efficacy of these
recommendations.
REFERENCES
[1] Howard, S.L., Hong, J.W., Katchabaw, M.J., Bauer, M.A., 1995. Integrating visualization into event monitoring and analysis in distributed systems management. In Proceedings of 1995 conference of the Centre for Advanced Studies on Collaborative research (CASCON ‘95), Bennet, Gentleman, Johnson, Kidd, eds. IBM Press.
[2] Mohawk Applied Research Centre. The Visualizer: Illustrating Interoperability via Visualization of Audit Messages.
[3] Rowe, ed. Interoperability: Making the most of IT connections. http://www.himssconference.org/general/newsdisplay.aspx?nid=79501
[4] Knodel, Muthig, Naab, Zeckzer. Towards empirically validated software architecture visualization. 2006 ACM symposium.
[5] Keim, Mansmann, Schneidewind, Thomas, Ziegler. Visual analytics: Scope and challenges.
[6] Roque, Slaughter, Tkatenko. A comparison of several key information visualization systems for secondary use of electronic health record content. NAACL HLT 2010 Second Louhi Workshop.
[7] Marshall, Security Audit and Access Accountability Message XML Data Definitions for Healthcare Applications.
[8] Pressman, Software Engineering: A Practitioner’s Approach.
[9] Sommerville, Software Engineering.
18 | QuanTa Spring 2012
18 | QuanTa Spring 2012 Apple, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
At more than 150 members and growing, The Bauhub is a mighty-marketing collective. Advertising, marketing, design, strategy, development, social media and more.
For your next project, finds us at www.thebauhub.com or (thanks to iDeaWORKS) on your iPhone®.
It took to create this ad.
157 people
002-2056 Mohawk Ad_v1.indd 1 2012-03-07 9:25 AM
PRojECtSimulation-Enhanced Learning and Clinical Competence Phases I-III
RESEARCH tEAMLeslie Murray; Rae Gropper; Nicole Harnett; Kathryn Parker; Sarah Pearce; Denise MacIver; Lorraine Ramsay; Ann Ripley; Bonnie Sands; Laura Zychla
PRoGRAMMedical Radiation Sciences Program (Mohawk-McMaster), partnered with The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences (phase 1 only), Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
FundInG PARtnERHealth Canada through the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and the Collaborative Forum on Health Science Education
Simulation- EnhancedLearning
20 | QuanTa Spring 2012
a lready struggling to manage human
resource shortages, healthcare and allied
health professionals now face an increasing
demand that will see workforce shortages intensify
(it is estimated) over the next twenty years.
Longer wait times and increasingly stretched and
stressed healthcare workers will result. This is bad
news for the future quality of patient care. Allied
health (AH) professionals are often called upon at
critical times for both diagnosis and treatment, so
increased wait times could also have a serious effect
on the many related fields that rely upon AH services,
support and results.
PREPARE FoR CRowdEd wAItInG RooMS (oR FInd SoLutIonS)How can educators address this healthcare human
resource shortage? Accelerated recruitment and
increased education opportunities seem imperative.
Clearly, enhanced and improved training that places
confident, qualified professionals into the workforce
expediently will offer the healthcare system
significant benefits.
But efficient education processes and opportunities
for clinical training, critical to AH workers’ development
and speedy work-readiness, are scarce and can’t
simply be created.
This study was designed to address these issues
facing the healthcare industry with a simulation-
enhanced learning program to evaluate the
performance, confidence and efficiency of allied
healthcare students in clinical patient interactions.
The study examined how students would learn using
simulated clinical communications.
SIMuLAtIon-EnHAnCEd (oR, PRACtISE MAkES PERFECt)Educators worked with students to create, explain and
explore various features of the simulation program.
Video scenarios of patient-intake situations were then
presented, discussed, analyzed and re-enacted by pairs
of AH students. Additional simulations, with students
role-playing both patient and technologist, were based
on written instructions, to encourage the growth of
students’ communication skills and their ability to work
in a clinical situation. Video analysis of the role-playing
simulations by a panel of expert evaluators resulted in
scenario-by-scenario and student-by-student ratings,
collected and examined for evidence of the proposed
program’s benefit to students.
Good nEwS FoR ALLResponses were assessed and critiqued. Feedback
received from the student partners and participating
faculty was an important aspect of this learning
experience, and resulted in amendments to the study’s
findings and improvements to plans for future study. The
research results showed that adding simulated patient
care exercises improved the efficiency of, and readiness
for, communications competencies, when compared
to those achieved by students using traditional
learning methods alone. Allied healthcare students who
participated in the simulation-enhanced learning group
of the study showed a decreased time to competency
and an increased rate of clinical readiness. This is good
news for the quality of future healthcare.
Simulation-enhanced learning in a health-care setting
Simulated learning involves role-playing exercises aimed at sharpening students’ clinical skills, while making them more comfortable communicating in one-to-one patient situations.
20 | QuanTa Spring 2012 QuanTa Spring 2012 | 21
Stakeholder Comments
tAMMy HwAnGExperience Manager,
Innovation Factory
“Here’s one reason why research
at colleges is so (very!) important.
The economics of research can be
daunting. The ability to partner
with experienced faculty while
offering great opportunities to
students makes it possible for
local companies to participate in
projects they may not have been,
otherwise, able to afford. Academia
also attracts government interest,
creating private, public and academic
partnerships that can really work.
It’s iF’s mandate to accelerate
innovation and having college teams
ready to hit the ground running
is a tremendous resource for us.
(Hmmm… that may be more than
one reason.)”
iNNovATioN FAcTory is HAMilToN’s
NoT-For-ProFiT reGioNAl iNNovATioN
ceNTre (ric) coMMiTTeD To builDiNG
THe ProviNce’s iNNovATioN coMMuNiTy
AND sTreNGTHeNiNG THe NexT
GeNerATioN oF jobs GeNerATors.
tIM RICHARdVP Operations,
Weever Apps
“With colleges’ practical approach
to research and education, students
gain knowledge beyond theory.
Weever Apps has partnered
with colleges on real life projects
like completing bug testing and
developing new code – as part
of a computer programming
course. The calibre of students
allows Weever Apps to confidently
hire co-op and graduating
students who have the skillsets
to immediately immerse
themselves in our varied projects.”
Weever APPs is A HAMilToN
sTArT-uP THAT HelPs orGANizATioNs
Go Mobile iNsTANTly AND AFForDAbly,
AND AN iNDusTry PArTNer WiTH
iDeAWorks AT MoHAWk colleGe.
MoHAn nAdARAjAHCEO and Founder,
PlayLab
“I strongly believe that Applied
Research is important for any
educational institution and for
businesses. In PlayLab’s case, an
Applied Research project will take
our physical curriculum/projects and
convert them into an on-line web
application in order to provide access
for parents, teachers, and students.
The project will help us scale for
growth beyond our local market,
increase our revenues, and create
more jobs while positively impacting
countless children. A real challenge
is being met and real results are
being delivered.”
PlAylAb is A burliNGToN-bAseD
sTArT-uP THAT ProviDes eDucATioNAl
eNricHMeNT ProGrAMs For cHilDreN,
AND AN iNDusTry PArTNer WiTH
iDeAWorks AT MoHAWk colleGe.
22 | QuanTa Spring 2012
BRIAn MInAjIFaculty,
Mohawk College
“Applied Research at colleges is
important because it exposes
students to real world problems
where they can participate in
solutions and expand their learning
beyond what is covered in the
classroom. It’s also invaluable
because it gives students a glimpse
of the pressures and deadlines
faced every day after graduation
and it gives them networking
opportunities to meet potential
future employers.”
briAN MiNAji TeAcHes coMPuTer
ProGrAMMiNG iN THe eNGiNeeriNG
TecHNoloGy FAculTy AT
MoHAWk colleGe.
AndREw noRGAtEStudent,
Mohawk College
“Applied Research is extremely
important to the learning process
for students. The theories that
are taught in class can only be
conceptualized and expanded on
using specific examples. Applied
Research gives students the
opportunity to apply this base
knowledge in real world models
where methodologies have to be
relaxed and used in tandem with
critical thinking and alternative
approaches to problem solving.
This can’t be taught in a classroom.”
ANDreW NorGATe is eNrolleD iN
THe bAcHelor oF TecHNoloGy joiNT
ProGrAM AT MoHAWk colleGe AND
McMAsTer uNiversiTy.
SuzAnnE FoRtIERPresident,
NSERC
“With campuses widely distributed
across Canada enabling close links
with industry and their communities,
colleges provide a wealth of
facilities and expertise to local
companies. Through Applied
Research projects, college faculty
and students bring fresh
perspectives and advanced skills
to business innovation challenges.
This enriches college training,
builds stronger linkages and
helps companies gain practical
solutions to their problems and
a competitive advantage.”
THe NATurAl scieNces AND eNGiNeeriNG
reseArcH couNcil oF cANADA (Nserc)
suPPorTs sTuDeNTs iN THeir ADvANceD
sTuDies, ProMoTes AND suPPorTs
Discovery reseArcH, AND FosTers
iNNovATioN by eNcourAGiNG cANADiAN
coMPANies To PArTiciPATe AND iNvesT
iN PosTsecoNDAry reseArcH ProjecTs.
“ ”AnSwERInG tHE quEStIon
why is research at colleges important?
QuanTa Spring 2012 | 2322 | QuanTa Spring 2012
dr. Al-Mutawaly (centre) with dr. Ishwar Singh,
creator of the McMaster-Mohawk Bachelor of
technology joint program, and Mehdi Alimardani
Powerto thePeople
24 | QuanTa Spring 2012
Pamela Hensley: As part of your research, you’re building a model of ontario’s power grid. why are you doing that?nafia Al-Mutawaly: Actually, it’s not just a model for
Ontario’s power grid. It’s a model for protection and
control adoptable by virtually any power grid in the
world. Why we are doing this? The power industry
was the last to get involved and implement computer
capabilities into their operations. Even as recently
as the late 90s, power grids were managed using
electro-mechanical devices invented in the 40s
or 50s! With computers, we now have the ability
to create networks between different devices,
different systems and different locations. This
networking capability is a big asset moving forward
for protection and control.
Another improvement is in the area of data
management. With the new bi-directional data
transfer capabilities, we can now upload, download,
collect, store, interpret and react to enormous
amounts of data from any system(s) in real time.
Which leads to a third improvement - speed. When we
look at computers and networking we are talking about
high-speed response and activation capabilities. Before,
when we looked at a power system, we looked at it as a
vertical system. At the top were the generating stations
(that is, nuclear, coal, etc.), and at the bottom was the
load. The part in between was the grid. It was intuitive -
a natural flow from the generator to the grid to the load.
But now, with many new sources of energy (including
wind, solar, geothermal, etc.), there are all kinds of
power-generating sources popping up in every corner
of the grid. These new inputs are creating a new type
of topology, which we call horizontal. To control the
massive number of energy sources, and to make sure
we have a proper/sustainable flow of power (because
the flow cannot be allowed to become random), we need
to have full, real time control. To achieve that, we need
a new combination of equipment and networking to help
us meet these kinds of challenges. This is what electrical
engineers call a smart grid.
PH: what is a smart grid? And is it new?nA: The term ‘smart’ started appearing in all manner
of devices and applications over the last decade or so.
We have smart phones, smart meters, smart cars… and
smart grids. In the case of smart grids, the name refers
to a grid that is equipped and networked with the ability
to make data-based decisions and adjustments without
the use of physical devices. We call it smart because the
system gives us the ability to make decisions based on
the demand and conditions within the grid. It is definitely
the way to go.
An Interview with Nafia Al-Mutawaly on a model for protection and control of the power gridOntario’s energy customers are changing their ways. They’re equipping their homes and businesses with smart meters, shifting patterns of consumption, and generating and contributing new energy sources to Ontario’s power grid. But Ontario’s grid is built on a 100-year-old foundation. Should we be worried?
Nafia Al-Mutawaly, PhD Eng, is a Professor in the Department of Electrotechnology at Mohawk College and Program Chair, Energy Engineering Technologies at McMaster University. He chats here with Pamela Hensley, Director of Research and Innovation at Mohawk’s iDeaWORKS, about his model for protection and control of smart grids. In his lab, with his team of students quietly working nearby, he explains how critical it is to modernize today’s power grids, why academia and industry make a good match, and how his research will provide utilities around the world with a model they can adapt for the future.
QuanTa Spring 2012 | 2524 | QuanTa Spring 2012
PH: How much of the grid is currently
supplied by renewable sources and how
quickly is that changing?
nA: The latest numbers show that solar and wind power
generation went up over the last two to three years,
in response to the Green Energy Act presented by the
Ontario government [numbers for Ontario]. For example,
wind generation doubled over one year. We expect
growth in that sector to continue. Photovoltaic power
generation also increased, but not at the same rate as
wind power. As far as total power from green energy,
it meets about 3-4% of the province’s demand. There’s
a plan to shut down all coal plants within Ontario by
2014 and, obviously, that energy has to be replaced.
Current thinking is that refurbishments and new
installations within nuclear generating stations, and
increased green energy options, will replace lost
coal-produced power. Each of these options comes
with its own challenges. The nuclear industry, for
instance, is going through tough times, but when we
look at the power grid, nuclear energy is what we call
the base, providing the bulk of energy produced in
Ontario. We’re talking about 45-50% of grid power.
PH: Germany recently shut down 40% of
their nuclear capacity. How are they going
to manage this?
nA: Germany is a leader when it comes to green energy.
When you look at photovoltaic or wind generation,
Germany is ahead of the rest of the world. It’s no
surprise though, because they have been working on
green energy since the late 80s and early 90s. Their
vision is to replace nuclear stations with wind and solar.
That’s their ultimate objective.
PH: what about ontario? Are we progressive?
Are we driven by regulation?
nA: We are driven by the political environment. Just
prior to this election, one party was supporting green
energy 100% and one was promising to terminate green
initiatives. The problem with this kind of uncertainty is
that it scares investors and manufacturers. This kind
of uncertainty is not good, not healthy.
PH: that impacts you as a researcher.
nA: Yes, of course. Sustainability and stability are crucial
factors in pursuing successful research. Also, research
progress must be driven by the industry needs and
should be independent of the political environment.
We have recognized the critical need to create a modern
protection and control system, first, to replace the
existing (old and obsolete) infrastructure and, second,
to meet the requirements of new energy sources
(wind, solar) recently introduced in Ontario.
PH: why does industry need support from
academic researchers?
nA: There are many reasons. To start with, resources.
In Ontario, you have Hydro One, who have their
own group to do research. But then there are local
distribution companies who don’t have access to such
resources and yet are responsible for maintaining
and upgrading local grids. For example, a nearby local
distributor operates with a total staff of 30 people. That
includes the lineman, the dispatcher, the manager and
the CEO. For this firm, research and development require
an investment in expertise, experienced manpower and
equipment. This is where academia can help.
After personnel, there is also the equipment itself.
McMaster University and Mohawk College are building
a laboratory at a cost of $1million, which, from a
business perspective, would be prohibitive for many local
distributors. Furthermore, in the private sector, these
research contracts would be the equivalent to that of
10 or 15 full time staff. On the other hand, students
working toward their PhDs and Masters can deliver
massive contributions at a minimal cost. So it makes
good business sense for private industry to collaborate
with colleges and universities utilizing the expertise of
faculty and supervisors to undertake these projects and
produce unbiased, highly ethical solutions.
So it makes good business sense for private industry to collaborate with colleges and universities utilizing the expertise of faculty and supervisors to undertake these projects and produce unbiased, highly ethical solutions.
26 | QuanTa Spring 2012
PH: How do you hope or expect the results of your research to impact national and international communities?nA: Many companies are producing new computers
and equipment critical to the power industry and each
one has its own topology – its own line of products, its
own software, etc. My research will be to evaluate these
various systems and to determine the advantages and
disadvantages of each. The second phase of my research
will be to integrate this equipment and ensure all
components can find common ground to communicate
and work together effectively. The challenge will be
to identify that common ground, both in hardware
and software solutions.
PH: And your findings will become a recommendation for the power industry?nA: That will be the model. We’ll present a power
protection model to the utilities that can be evaluated
and adopted by the industry. It will be a model that is
fully tested, not only through computer simulation, with
all the issues addressed. Utilities will be able to use the
model to evaluate and optimise new load, demand or
technology issues that arise in the future. In another
year or two, if a new load or generation source is
offered, they can add it to the model and retest for
a solution, with real results. Where real includes real
time, real response, real system and real equipment.
PH: you are a professor at both Mohawk College and McMaster university. How is research different at colleges and universities? nA: Mohawk, as a college, usually
applies a how-to and hands-on
philosophy. [Lab work] is a
big component in any
course, especially in
engineering. It is
equivalent [to
class time]
as far as
number of hours, and it’s on a weekly basis. At university,
in contrast, courses tend to be more theoretical in
nature. There is a lab component, but as far as weight,
as far as impact, as far as value of that course, it’s
significantly less, maybe 20-25%.
PH: do you think applied research makes a difference in the education of students?nA: Absolutely. Typically, the students involved in
applied research are the ones who stay after normal
working hours and on weekends. Passion drives them
and satisfaction is fulfilled by their research findings.
THe reseArcH TeAM iNcluDes: ProFessors NAFiA Al-MuTAWAly,
joHN vAN looN, AND vijAy kHATri; TecHNicAl suPPorT FroM
joHN ANGer AND MeHDi AliMArDANi; AND co-oP sTuDeNTs
Ali Al-zubAiDi AND lAiTH Al-MusAWi.
26 | QuanTa Spring 2012
r esearch efforts at Mohawk continue to grow as our faculty provide
leadership while preparing students for future careers in our
community. The research our faculty engage in tends to be highly
collaborative and focused in the areas of education, health, and technology.
Mohawk research is funded by provincial and federal governments
specifically to enable business innovation. Our work supports the business
community with products and service innovations, enabling local industry to
compete globally. The college is an ideal recipient for this funding, leveraging
the many links we have with employers, particularly in the areas of health
and technology, and working with them to provide a strategic local benefit
to our economy.
The research our faculty initiate nearly always involves students. Students
are able to participate directly in three ways: 1) apply for co-operative
placements through iDeaWORKS; 2) apply for release from a program
course to take a research course; and 3) participate in class research
activities. Indirectly, students learn from their faculty the challenges and
accomplishments associated with research. Ultimately, students are better
prepared to meet the challenges of the workplace and contribute to the
community as very highly qualified graduates.
Mohawk researchers focus on “real world” problems, bringing a wealth of
industry, clinical, and hands-on experience to designing practical solutions.
Our researchers have access to a great deal of leading edge technology
and infrastructure at Mohawk, and many also collaborate with McMaster
University and numerous health science research hospitals and institutes.
Many networks exist to enable faculty research. Industry co-operative
work placements and clinical sites used by our students serve as a vital
support for the development of research activities. A web of organizations
including Innovation Factory, MaRS, the City of Hamilton (Economic
Development), the Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation
(CONII) and a large number of related groups serve to funnel high potential
research opportunities to our faculty and students. Collectively, the network
of industry and healthcare institutions Mohawk has developed, since its
inception over forty years ago, has evolved to support and benefit from
the research led by our faculty.
College researchers have been active in our community, informally, for
many years. They support our students’ learning and our community in
myriad ways. In recent years, both provincial and federal governments
have recognized the value of this work and its impact on our community by
creating numerous funding opportunities exclusive to colleges and industry
partners. Mohawk has been able to trade on the excellent reputation of
our faculty to broaden the impact we have on our community. Providing
highly qualified graduates and contributing practical solutions to industry
and community-oriented challenges, Mohawk researchers are helping to
establish a “Future Ready” community.
A message from the Chief
ted ScottChief Innovation officer
28 | QuanTa Spring 2012
LEARN exciting new technologies.
CoNNECt with industry experts in health & technology.
SHARE resources, ideas & knowledge.
Ready to operate?
AppsHealth
for
2012LEARN • CoNNECt • SHARE
May 10 & 11, 2012
Join us for Ontario’s premiere recruiting and networking event for the mHealth andeHealth industry!
Mohawk College135 Fennell Avenue WestHamilton, ON L8N 3T2
905 575-1212 ext. [email protected]
appsforhealth_jan.indd 1 12-03-07 8:02 PM
28 | QuanTa Spring 2012
Mohawk College’s iDeaWORKS provides resources that help businesses and entrepreneurs commercialize new technologies. By pairing talented students with tech-savvy industry partners, we produce innovative software solutions, develop mobile applications, improve manufacturing processes and build prototypes. Through these collaborations, iDeaWORKS is contributing to the new spirit of entrepreneurship that is transforming the region. Along with other like-minded community organizations, we are fuelling innovation and making it easier for small companies to succeed. Contact: Valerie Mitanoff, Industry Liaison Officer [email protected] 905.575.1212 ext. 4738
| m o h a w k C o l l e g e . C a / i d e a w o r k s |
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