Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)

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This UVic award encourages undergraduates to pursue innovative and original research and enhance learning while providing a valuable preparatory experience towards graduate studies or a research related career.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 637

How low can it go: The Mountain Image Analysis Suite
(University of Victoria, 2026) Friesen, Hannah
The Mountain Image Analysis Suite (MIAS) is an open-source QGIS plugin developed to generate landcover viewsheds from oblique imagery, primarily applied to high elevation alpine landscape images through the Mountain Legacy Project. This study evaluates the efficacy of MIAS on low elevation, urban imagery using historic (1908) and contemporary (2022) repeat photograph pairs taken from Pkaals (Mt. Tolmie) towards PKOLS (formerly, Mt. Douglas) in Victoria, B.C. Four of the five MIAS processing steps were applied: [1] landcover classification, [2] virtual photograph production, [3] image alignment, and [4] viewshed creation. Results indicate that while MIAS shows promise for low elevation applications, further training is required for the deep learning models to accurately identify landcover without extensive manual correction. The existing deep learning model overproduced unclassified pixels while underrepresenting key landcover categories. Large foreground trees, temporal mismatches between imagery and DEM data, and classification scale incompatibilities posed additional challenges. Despite these limitations, MIAS demonstrates potential for quantifying landcover change in low elevations with further development, particularly for analyzing historic images predating aerial photography or on landscapes with variable topography.
"That pitch really resonates with me!": A voice-gender modulation study
(University of Victoria, 2026) Gibbard, Jess
Voice-gender modulation is a burgeoning field within linguistics, and research on this topic is deeply needed in order to better support the transgender community. In this study, two groups of participants were taught differing voice-gender modulation techniques in order to determine whether or not there is a difference in modulation capabilities as a result of using a specific approach. One group was taught exercises which focused on prosodic factors of voice-gender (pitch and glottalization), while the other group explored exercises related to harmonic factors of voice-gender (resonance and vocal weight). Pre-training recordings were collected from each participant over a set of sustained vowels, short words and short phrases. The participants then underwent a three-week long voice training regimen. Upon completion of training, additional recordings of the same tokens were collected again. Data from the samples on pitch (F0), formant frequencies (F1 to F3), jitter, and intensity (range: 2000hz-7000hz) were collected using Praat and VoceVista Video. Statistics were calculated using a MANOVA analysis to compare the difference scores of pre- and post-training recordings. Findings of this study indicate a difference between pre- and post-training samples across factors of pitch and resonance, but not a difference between harmonic and prosodic groups.
Using machine learning to improve the image quality of low-dose photon-counting computed tomography
(University of Victoria, 2026) Gallagher, Kiana
Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) systems use detectors that count individual X-ray photons. This makes it possible for PCCT to produce a spectrum of images based on photon energies. PCCT results in clearer images with finer anatomical detail, improved contrast between tissues, and better identification of materials. CT scans require a large number of X-ray views, collectively delivering a substantial ionizing radiation dose to patients. However, lowering the number of views decreases spatial resolution and increases image noise, making fine details harder to distinguish. This project aims to improve the image quality of low-dose PCCT scans by using a machine learning model trained on PCCT images. A U-Net was trained using ground-truth images reconstructed from 360 projections and corresponding low-dose images reconstructed from 90 projections across all energy bins. This work shows that machine learning can be used to improve the image quality of low-dose PCCT. Future work will focus on training the model on new datasets and exploring other models.
Stability of deterministic signals in stochastic financial stock price data
(University of Victoria, 2026) Hilder, Charles
The focus of this project is to quantify the persistence of deterministic trends within stock price paths from the S&P500. We start by considering "synthetic assets" – linear combinations of held and shorted stocks, which are designed based on underlying financial theory to exhibit predictable behaviour. We then model the synthetic assets out of sample by mapping their price paths to a non euclidean space, where their evolution can be described approximately linearly using a best fit Koopman operator (K). Then using this linear approximation, we asses the persistence of the fitted operator K by the use of spectral analysis and a stochastic adaptation of Lyapunov stability theory.
Assessing the use of AI and remote sensing for European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) supply chain tracing
(University of Victoria, 2026) Holmes, Chris
Tropical deforestation remains a major source of global emissions, with a substantial share associated with international commodity supply chains. In response, policymakers are turning to evidence-based governance by deploying spatial monitoring to regulate forest-commodity impacts, exemplified by the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires proof that imports such as soy, palm oil, cocoa, and timber are deforestation-free. As a result, a growing number of private tracing firms have developed geospatial platforms that use satellite imagery, machine learning, and farm-level mapping to support due diligence and compliance. However, there remains limited research on how these tracing systems actually operate, what data they rely on, and what broader implications they may have for environmental sustainability and equity on the ground. This research addresses that gap by asking how EUDR tracing companies gather and analyze supply chain data, and what implications this has for environmental sustainability and equity in producer countries. The research draws on semi-structured qualitative interviews with both academic experts and private industry experts involved in supply-chain tracing.
Where mountaintops are found below the Earth, an archaeological and GIS analysis of Sacsayhuaman, Peru
(University of Victoria, 2026) Hudson, Logan
Sacsayhuaman is a UNESCO world heritage site and an archaeological park that watches over the Inka city of Cusco, Peru, atop a small mountain to the north. In this research, a geographic information system (GIS) analysis was built using potsherd archaeological excavation data from 2001 provided by the Instituto Nacional de Cultura Cusco (Silva Hurtado, 2001). There is still much to be understood by the Inkan site after its destruction and dismantling from colonialism in the 16th and 7th century (Dean, 1998). Today all that remains of Sacsayhuaman are the megalithic boulders that form its structures and the ever spanning architecture as a reminder of the power held by the Inka. This GIS analysis aims to contribute to the understanding of humans' use to space and how certain areas of Sacsayhuaman were used through mapping the potsherd assemblages. The purpose of this research is to determine if there are spatial patterns in different potsherd classes based on density and location to discern possible sectional uses of the site from different types of pottery. The significance of this research is to bring understanding to how Sacsayhuaman was used during its occupation by the Inka, by broadening the archaeological and cultural understanding of the site through GIS. By creating a visual map of the Inka's relationship to space and place, this work revitalizes the understanding of Sacsayhuaman and contributes to what is known about the history of Cusco and Andean culture.
Using LiDAR and geophysics to examine the Holocene activity of the San Juan Fault
(University of Victoria, 2026) Irwin, Danny
I use Lidar and geophysical methods to test the hypothesis of whether the San Juan fault has had an earthquake since the Holocene (<12,000 yr)
Delivering inactivity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of parenthood and physical activity
(University of Victoria, 2026) Hilgartner, James
Background: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is critical for health; however, many adults are insufficiently active. Parenthood may be a plausible high-risk period for inactivity. This review's purpose was to syntheisze recent evidence on how parenthood relates to MVPA, including within-person changes across the transition to parenthood and between-group differences between parents and age-matched adults without children, with subgroup-analyses of methodological and demographic characteristics. Methods: Eligible articles were English peer-reviewed studies and theses. A systematic search was conducted in April 2025 across five databases. Risk of bias was assessed using the NHLBI Quality Assessment Tool. Random-effects meta-analyses compared MVPA among parents and adults without children, and pre- to post-transition to parenthood. Results: Of 30,607 records, 62 papers were included and 39 contributed to the meta-analysis. Parents had lower MVPA compared to adults without children (d = -0.12 [95% CI -0.17 to -0.08]; k = 35). For within-participant analysis, MVPA declined across the transition to parenthood (d = -0.39 [95% CI -0.54 to -0.25]; k = 21), with study design being the only significant moderator (p < .05). Conclusions: This is the first meta-analysis of parenthood and physical activity. The results demonstrate that parenthood is associated with a small to moderate decline in MVPA for both mothers and fathers. These results support parenthood as an important life stage for future physical activity interventions.
Coho conservation & First Nations' fisheries access through Heiltsuk monitoring
(University of Victoria, 2026) Johnson, Sophia; Kern, Dawson; Ban, Natalie; Steel, Jade
This research addresses critical gaps related to the impacts of marine mixed-stock fisheries on coho populations and fishing access for Heiltsuk fishers within Heiltsuk Territory using data collected through the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department (HIRMD) Fisheries Monitoring Program. The project examines shifts in access to salmon for Food, Social, and Ceremonial (FSC) Heiltsuk fishers and investigates which coho Conservation Units (CUs) contribute to local catches using dockside survey data and Genetic Stock Identification (GSI) samples collected from fishing trips landing in Bella Bella, BC, between May and September from 2019 to 2025. Quantitative and qualitative interview data provide insights into fishing effort, catch, costs, and FSC fisher perceptions, while genetic samples identify the CUs of harvested coho. Analyses suggest that while the number of salmon caught per trip has declined and costs have increased, FSC fishers' perceptions of successful fishing seasons have improved. Additionally, changes in the composition of coho CUs contributing to the catch and estimated decreasing fish lengths highlight ongoing conservation concerns for Central Coast coho. This research is led and supported by HIRMD and contributes to Heiltsuk-led fisheries monitoring that informs fisheries management and conservation strategies.
Decision tree methodology for electronic health record (EHR) clinical data endpoints
(University of Victoria, 2026) Kasdorf, Kale
This study explores the use of decision tree models on electronic health record (EHR) data to support clinical decision-making in intensive care units (ICUs). The publicly available Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MIMIC-IV eICU dataset, spanning 20 hospitals and over 35,000 deidentified patient encounters, was analyzed to identify relevant tables and variables. Decision trees were developed in KNIME, a data science software, starting with simple algorithms, which were iteratively refined into more complex and realistic predictive models. Initially, the simple models achieved high predictive performance, although overfitting and unrealistic splits were observed. Further development of these models produced slightly worse predictive performance, but addressed the overfitting and generated more realistic and interpretable predictions. This study establishes a preliminary pipeline for applying decision trees to ICU EHR data and highlights the need for ongoing refinement to improve predictive reliability.
Investigating the role of Vsx1 in bipolar cell differentiation of the mouse retina
(University of Victoria, 2026) Kerridge, Amalie; Chow, Robert; Ruiz, Alberto; Hamilton, Finn; Symanski, Julian
This project investigates the role of the homeobox transcription factor Vsx1 in regulating bipolar cell (BPC) subtype differentiation in the developing mouse retina. Bipolar cells are a diverse class of interneurons that relay visual signals from photoreceptors to ganglion cells and contribute to parallel visual processing pathways. Previous studies have shown that Vsx1 is expressed in specific bipolar cell subtypes, including BC1a, BC2, BC3a, BC6, and BC7. However, genetic loss of Vsx1 does not alter the overall number of bipolar cells, suggesting that Vsx1 may regulate subtype identity rather than cell survival. To investigate this possibility, single-cell RNA sequencing of BPCs were analyzed to identify transcriptional changes associated with Vsx1 loss. Clustering and gene expression analyses revealed altered transcriptional profiles in several bipolar cell subtypes and increased expression of markers associated with Type 5a bipolar cells. These findings suggest that certain bipolar cells may undergo transcriptional respecification in the absence of Vsx1 and adopt a type 5a-like fate. To validate this, immunofluorescent labeling of Sox6 (a type 5a BPC marker) will be performed in wild-type and Vsx1 knockout retinas and analyzed using confocal microscopy."
Conspicuous construction: Social and political projections in middle-class Greco-Roman housing
(University of Victoria, 2026) Kubota, Elias
The extravagant villas of the Roman aristocracy and the impressive public architecture of Classical Greece are and often studied topic for the examination of private and public life in antiquity. While these architectural achievements are certainly important, examinations of domestic architecture, particularly those dwellings associated with the middle class, offers a more comprehensive assessment of the social, political, and economic realities of ancient Greece and Rome. What social and political dynamics are reproduced through architecture? How is socio-political power is conceived of and aspired to by the middle-class? Through a close examination of middle-class housing I argue that the political context of Greek and Roman sites influence domestic architecture and assist in the production of social power. I present the similarities and differences in privacy, decor, and house size to demonstrate that Greek urban housing emphasizes internal surveillance, privacy, and sympotic culture, with power articulated by internal control over one's household and a clear separation between private and public while Roman architecture emphasizes the inclusion of the public into the private, with power associated primarily with affiliations to Roman aristocratic culture.
"In search of community": Debate and solidarity in Victoria's lesbian-feminist newsletter LesbiaNews, 1989-1996
(University of Victoria, 2026) Lancaster, Kendra
LesbiaNews was a lesbian-feminist print newsletter launched in Victoria, B.C. in 1989. The newsletter was volunteer-run and produced to "provide a supportive forum for Victoria lesbians." LesbiaNews was a crucial site for debate, community formation, and a literary tradition of lesbian historical self-documentation. Over the course of seven years, contributors were deeply devoted to understanding what community meant to them. LesbiaNews demonstrates that a forum encouraging generative debates enabled the consultation of diverse viewpoints and served to strengthen the community as a whole. The newsletter functioned as both a reflection of and a forum for local lesbians. Through its editorials, letters to the editor, classifieds, and cultural coverage, this thesis reveals that through LesbiaNews, lesbians in Victoria simultaneously negotiated and produced community during a period shaped by lesbian-feminism, the sex wars, censorship debates, and increasing queer visibility.
Creating a state-of-the-art GPU-based simulator for quantum algorithms and error-correction
(University of Victoria, 2026) Largoza, Dominic
Our group was the recipient of an academic hardware grant from NVIDIA. This grant allowed us to get 8 top of the line GPUs for our research and future cluster which will enable modern quantum simulation all over Canada. Quantum circuits and algorithms will be initially developed using Qiskit, an open-source software development kit, then translated to CUDA-Q, another open-source quantum computing platform. Then using the GPU support that CUDA-Q offers, will simulate large common systems. I am currently implementing an algorithm that we believe shows quantum advantage and can be applied on a variety of quantum chemistry and statistical physics problems. The simulation results will be crucial to comparing against runs on real quantum computers that we have through our access on PINQ2. I will also deploy a code used for finding the upper critical threshold for quantum error-correction. Learning outcomes include becoming proficient at developing quantum circuits and simulating said circuits using Qiskit and CUDA-Q. Also to gain an understanding of the foundations of quantum computing, such as quantum gates and common quantum algorithms.
What makes a conversation safe? Students perspectives on talking about ethnic-racial identity
(University of Victoria, 2026) Le-Ba, Kimberly; Costignan, Catherine
The Canadian Multiculturalism Act affirms diversity, yet many remain uncertain about how to discuss race and ethnicity. Intergroup Contact Theory shows that interaction across groups can reduce prejudice, especially with equal status, shared goals, institutional support, and opportunities for exchange. Cultural socialization research finds that positive conversations about heritage with diverse peers encourage ethnic-racial identity (ERI) engagement. Although ERI dialogue can enhance self esteem and life satisfaction, colour-blind norms discourage engagement. Informal peer dialogue in universities - where students share equal status and common goals-offer a promising context yet fears of offending or being misunderstood inhibit participation. Avoidance of ERI conversations may be explained by Anxiety/Uncertainty Management (AUM) Theory which suggests that reducing anxiety and uncertainty increases willingness to interact with outgroups. This study examines these dynamics through four semi-structured focus groups where diverse participants discuss ERI in casual peer settings. Using micro interlocutor analysis with provisional and elaborative coding, the results expand AUM Theory to identify conditions that reduce anxiety and foster affirming dialogue. Findings inform peer-based interventions that promote inclusive ERI conversations and advance equity in higher education
Developing human-centred design guidelines for laboratory trend graphs
(University of Victoria, 2026) Leef, Breanna
Patients increasingly access their laboratory results through online portals, yet many struggle to interpret lab trend graphs due to limited health, digital, and graph literacy. Existing visualization research rarely addresses the unique challenges of longitudinal lab data, leaving a gap in guidance for patient facing graph design. To address this, this project developed human-centred design [HCD] design guidelines for lab trend graphs and used them to create a prototype. The 8 guidelines were created based on themes in the literature on patient interpretation and usability of laboratory and categorized as required, recommended, or optional. The guidelines were then used to prototype an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) trend graph. Feedback from experts in consumer health informatics and User Experience and User Interface (UX/UI) was used to refine the prototype. This work provides an evidence-informed foundation for designing patient-centred lab trend graphs and highlights opportunities for future research, including broader expert input and empirical evaluation of their impact on patient comprehension and usability.
Take a seed, give a seed: A community-engaged exploration of seed library sustainability and accessibility
(University of Victoria, 2026) Lister, Hannah
This project is employing a community-engaged approach and is working in collaboration with LifeCycles, a local nonprofit whose mission is to build a resilient food system in Greater Victoria. LifeCycles is in the process of developing a seed library and has identified concerns around balancing the project's accessibility with its sustainability. More specifically, there is a concern that if the library does not encourage users to save and return seeds at the end of each season, there may not continue to be sufficient stock each year. This project seeks to identify experiences and perceptions held by individuals involved in developing and maintaining seed libraries, understand challenges associated with that work, illustrate successful strategies that contribute to the sustainability and accessibility of seed libraries, and evaluate the extent to which community is deeply connected with the seed library's mission. Ultimately the intention is to develop recommendations for developing a seed library program which is both accessible and sustainable. Insights will be shared with LifeCycles to help inform the creation of their seed library, with the hope that the findings can be applied more broadly to different organizations as well.
From ambivalence to strategic partnership? Ukraine-NATO relations under Russian pressure
(University of Victoria, 2026) Lloyd, Katelynn
Since the full-scale invasion launched by Russia into Ukraine in February 2022 discussion of Ukrainian relations with Western organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have been at the forefront of international politics. However, very limited direction for how these relations could evolve in the future has been established. This project seeks to determine to what extent Western policies have been implemented with Ukrainian interests at the forefront or if they have largely been proposed in response to Russian aggression. Through an analysis of key events spanning from Ukrainian independence in 1991 to the present day, this project will explore how relations between Ukraine and NATO have developed and been shaped by Russia as a mediating force. Ultimately, it concludes that Russia has always been an overbearing force in Ukraine-NATO relations and suggests that the development of future relations would rely heavily on removing the Russian factor.
Mandopop's English enigma: Language choices, identity politics, and global forces
(University of Victoria, 2026) Loh, Madison
This project examines Mandopop's "English enigma": if English circulates so widely in East Asian pop industries such as K-pop and J-pop, why does it remain comparatively selective in contemporary Mandarin chart music, and what does that selectivity reveal about language, identity, and cultural positioning? Framed by theories of cultural hybridity and glocalization, the study treats English not simply as a linguistic feature, but as a symbolic resource shaped by global pop flows and local cultural priorities. Methodologically, I built a corpus from the TME UNI and TME Wave annual rankings, collected and cross-referenced lyrics from major online databases, and coded songs line by line for English presence. English-containing lines were then analyzed by linguistic form, sub-form, and pragmatic function. The findings show that English in Mandopop is limited in quantity but purposeful in use: it is typically brief, salient, and written-for-speaking, most often appearing in single words and clauses that serve expressive, phatic, and directive functions. Overall, the project argues that Mandopop negotiates global influence selectively, incorporating English in ways that enhance style, affect, and a sense of marketable modernity while preserving Mandarin as the central linguistic and cultural frame.
Ontologies as deep leverage points: Interconnectedness and production
(University of Victoria, 2026) MacMaster, Grace
Although there is widespread awareness of the issue of climate crisis, the broader ecological crisis remains insufficiently confronted. Current responses largely rely on technological advancements and the dissemination of scientific knowledge, reflecting the "information-deficit" assumption that ecological imbalances persist primarily due to a lack of information among the general populace. This thesis investigates the role of ontologies in shaping how humans interpret and engage with the more-than-human world and asks: how might differences between the hegemonic Western capitalist-scientific ontology and ontologies that center fundamental human and other-than-human interconnectedness reveal the importance of ontological change for political-economic transformation in response to the ecological crisis? With a focus on production, understood as the ways in which humans materially reproduce their lives, this thesis looks at how the dominant Western capitalist-scientific ontology is involved in the generation of economic organization that obscures ecological relationality. In contrast, a phenomenologically-informed ontology and a Potawatomi Indigenous ontology are analyzed for how they foreground human and other-than-human interconnectedness, promoting alternative understandings of productive organization. By comparing these ontological frameworks, this thesis argues that ontologies can be understood as deep leverage points for transforming political-economic relations in ways that could be useful for addressing the ecological crisis.

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