Cape Breton University is supporting academic research with the award of internal grants to 25 faculty across disciplines. Research, Innovation, Scholarship and Exploration (RISE) grants are awarded annually through a competitive process, with each successful applicant receiving up to $10,000 for their project.
The award of RISE funds considers the top contenders as distinguished RISE, highlighting those with the highest ranking in three categories. Co-applicants Dr. Ted Matheson, Assistant Professor of Geology, and Dr. Jason Loxton, Senior Instructor of Geology, are among the Distinguished RISE recipients in the science category, with a project that will fund equipment and training to build 3D virtual models of geologic outcrops across Cape Breton.
鈥淭hese virtual models will make field-based geological research on the Island safer and more accessible for researchers from CBU and around the world,鈥� explains Dr. Matheson. 鈥淚t will allow them to visit locations from the comfort of their computer that wouldn鈥檛 have been practical on foot.”
Beyond its potential for research, Dr. Loxton says these models will support CBU鈥檚 record of providing cutting-edge educational experiences. 鈥淭hese models can be loaded onto student鈥檚 phones, explored using virtual reality or augmented reality. We plan to introduce it to educators across Cape Breton and abroad. It鈥檚 really an amazing tool to showcase our world-class geology,鈥� says Dr.聽 Loxton. “It鈥檚 going to be a game changer for us,鈥� he adds.
Also noted with a distinguished RISE project, Dr. Nancy Spina, faculty in the School of Education, who will explore LGBTQIA+ Homelessness, Embodiment, and School Disengagement in Cape Breton.
鈥淒espite the rise of youth homelessness in Cape Breton, there is a lack of research focused on the educational experiences and school disengagement of this group, and in particular, individuals belonging to the LGBTQIA+ 福利免费在线看,鈥� Dr. Spina explains. 鈥淲ith the support of RISE, I hope to engage with the Sydney Youth Project to support academic success within this 福利免费在线看.鈥�
The third category of RISE applications is social determinants of health, with Dr. Abidemi Fasanmi, Assistant Professor of Healthcare Management in the Shannon School of Business, recognized as a distinguished applicant for her project Pathways to Practice: Facilitating the Integration of Internationally Trained Physicians in Nova Scotia.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the support of RISE for this project,鈥� says Dr. Fasanmi. 鈥淚nternationally trained physicians bring valuable skills but face challenges in obtaining licensing, navigating credentialing processes, and integrating into local communities and healthcare systems.鈥� She aims to identify and recommend successful strategies, such as bridging programs, mentorship initiatives and streamlined credentialing processes.
Dr. Tanya Brann-Barrett says that while faculty have more than a year to complete the research they鈥檝e outlined in their RISE grant proposals, summer is an opportune time gain the support of student research assistants.
鈥淢any faculty focus on research during the summer and we are thrilled to help them get underway with the support of RISE awards,鈥� says Dr. Brann-Barrett. 鈥淭hese awards help them to advance new publications, discoveries and partnerships, and offer incredible student research opportunities,鈥� she adds.
Congratulations to the 2025 RISE recipients!
RISE 2025 Recipients and Project Titles |
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| Alejandro Vital Soto | Multi-factory production planning and scheduling optimization for the semiconductor industry |
| Martin Mkandawire | Early and Rapid Detection of Skin Cancer using Saliva as Liquid Biopsy |
| Ken Oakes | Robotic System Equipped with Real-Time Electrochemical Sensors for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK) Analysis: Towards Precision Agriculture |
| Dylan Reynolds | Canadians’ Experiences with (and Perceptions of) Ransomware Attacks: Qualitative Insights |
| Qingna Jin | Empowering Young Changemakers: Integrating Activist Education into STEM Curricula for Environmental and Social Justice |
| Veronica Litt | Mass Reading Experiences of the 18th Century: A Preliminary Database |
| Md Anisul Islam | Management of product-related waste through extended producer responsibility: An assessment of policies in Nova Scotia and Canada |
| Sherra Robinson | Braiding a Path Forward: My Journey of Reclamation as a L’nu Woman in Education |
| Leslie Wardley | Brand Communities 鈥� Identification-Based Relationships and Campervan Culture |
| Erin Robertson | Investigating the characteristics of the bilingual experience that influence cognitive flexibility |
| Bishakha Mazumdar | Women’s Retirement Transitions in Cape Breton: A Qualitative Study of Personal Resources and Organizational Support |
| Felix Odartey-Wellington | Interrogating Canadian Identities (CBU Phase) |
| Simon Barrick | Sweeping towards social change: Evaluating the 2025 Halifax Olympic Curling Trials鈥� social legacy initiatives |
| Zainab Almukhtar | The Impact of Diversity on Innovation within Small Businesses in Cape Breton |
| Virginia Gunn | Could wearable devices improve primary care and enhance patient and health worker experiences with care? |
| Stefanie Ruel | Working through a collage of pain, Part II: Pilot study on 鈥榳holistic鈥� care in the workplace for sudden death survivors |
| Colin McLaren | Hope in focus: A qualitative exploration of disadvantaged youth in Cape Breton through photoelicitation |
| Joseph Parish | The Cape Breton Experience of the 1918-1919 Influenza Pandemic |
| Bernard Farenkia | Discourse-pragmatic strategies in public apologies in French |
Distinguished RISE: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council |
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| Nancy Spina | LGBTQIA+ Homelessness, Embodiment, and School Disengagement in Cape Breton |
| Carolina Bergonzoni | Dancing Voices: An Audio Described Show |
Distinguished RISE: Science |
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| Shine Xu Zhang | Integrated Water Quality Data Portal for Cape Breton Island and Nova Scotia |
| Ted Matheson | Photogrammetry and Time-Series Analysis in Geologic Investigation in Cape Breton: Building a CBU Virtual Outcrop Model Tool Kit |
Distinguished RISE: Social Determinants of Health |
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| Abidemi Fasanmi | Pathways to Practice: Facilitating the Integration of Internationally Trained Physicians in Nova Scotia |
| Kelsey Harvey | Health-Related Messaging in Music Manufactured for Seniors鈥� Fitness |