Investigating the might of mites threatening honey bee colonies around the globe.
Using artificial intelligence algorithms to create a portable tool for remote wound monitoring and diagnostics and improve patient outcomes.
Assessing the effectiveness of drones and remote sensing technologies in streamlining the mapping of invasive grasses that thrive in wetlands, ditches and shorelines.
These research initiatives are part of six projects funded through the new Steeves Family Innovation Fund, launched this year through Mohawk College's IDEAWORKS, a hub of applied research and innovation.
Glen and Heather Steeves supported the creation of the Steeves Family Innovation Fund with a $250,000 gift, which is matched by the College.
The successful researchers and in some cases, their student research assistants, recently presented an overview of their projects and the impact they hope to achieve to the Steeves and their son, Drew. The Steeves were impressed by the scope and range of the projects.
The successful applicants received seed funding between $10,000 and $20,000 for their projects. The goal is to provide opportunities for faculty and staff with no previous research experience and enhance research activities for more experienced researchers. Students also benefit from gaining applied research and industry engagement experience through their roles as research assistants on many of these initiatives.
"Thanks to Glen and Heather Steeves, we're able to increase our ability to give faculty and students more opportunities to broaden their research capabilities," said Jeff McIsaac, Dean of Applied Research and Dean of Engineering Technology & Aviation. "This is an important step in supporting emerging researchers and building a diverse and vibrant applied research community."
The 2025-2026 funded projects are:
- Tiffany Leighton, School of Climate Action
- Investigating Amitraz Resistance of Varroa Mite Populations in an Ontario Apiary
- Ashley Fry O'Rourke, School of Health and Community Studies
- Establishing Virtual Communities of Practice to Enhance Care for Medically Complex Residents: Empowering RPNs through Full Scope Utilization
- Matt Shelley and Tyler Sowden, School of Engineering Technology and Aviation
- Advancing Adoption of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems and Remote Sensing Technology Use Adoption for Scalable and Accessible Phragmites Mapping in Ontario
- Saeed Toosizadeh, School of Engineering Technology and Aviation
- AI-Powered Multispectral Wound Assessment for Infection Detection
- Theresia Arnott-Candy and Michelle Tomson, School of Health and Community Studies
- Smokeless Stoves: Developing a Framework for Program Evaluation in Rural Guatemala
- Becky Ellis, School of Climate Action
- Beyond Honey: Opportunities for diverse livelihood streams for small to medium beekeeping enterprises in Ontario
