BioZone’s Mass Spectrometry Facility is holding our annual meeting for current and future users. The aims of this meeting are:
- To provide users with information on techniques and advancements in the field of Mass Spectrometry
- To determine the sample prep techniques and analysis tools our users are interested in having access to.
Tentative Agenda:
12:00pm – Pizza Lunch (Location to be announced)
01:00pm – Registration
01:05pm – Welcome and Introductions –
01:10pm – Keynote Address 1 – Dr. Elodie Passeport (University of Toronto)
02:20pm – Keynote Address 2 – Dr. Michael Phillips (University of Toronto)
03:30pm – User Results
04:00pm – End of Meeting
Register for the meeting HERE.
Dr. Ryan Wylie
McMaster University, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology
Materials to control immune responses can enhance anti-cancer responses or mitigate the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) during life-threatening inflammatory conditions such as sepsis. Our research focuses on the synthesis of protein-polymer conjugates for the controlled delivery of antibodies to improve cancer immunotherapies and bioactive surfaces to detect cytokines in blood or remove deleterious cytokines from circulating blood to improve sepsis survival rates.
Antibodies for immunotherapies have shown great promise in the treatment of several brain tumors but do not readily penetrate the blood brain barrier (BBB), resulting in low efficacy after intravenous injections. To improve efficacy, we are developing injectable hydrogels for the Local Infusion of Immuno-Therapeutics (LIIT) such as Bispecific T cell Engagers (BiTEs) and cytokines to improve T cell effector function. Competitive affinity or displacement affinity release systems are incorporated into low fouling hydrogels, poly(carboxybetaine) to achieve immunotherapeutic release for several days to weeks. Sustained release will yield an antibody steady-state concentration (Css) above the minimum effective concentration (MEC) but below the maximum tolerable concentration (MTC) for extended periods of time. Infusion experiments in a xenograft glioblastoma mouse model are being conducted to determine efficacious infusion rates and durations for BiTEs.
Spsis remains the most common cause of death for intensive care unit (ICU) patients with a 25-50% mortality rate. Fatalities from severe sepsis is due to SIRS, which is manifested by a cytokine storm. The imbalance of specific inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines during SIRS may lead to organ failure and death. To modulate the cytokine storm, specific cytokines must be removed at precise times. To this end, we are developing bioactive polymeric surfaces with improved anti-fouling properties by increasing polymer densities during graft-to polymer immobilization procedures. We have previously demonstrated the selective filtration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) from circulating blood.
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Ryan Wylie received his B.Sc. in biochemistry at Concordia University in Montréal, Canada. Afterwards, he completed a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Toronto under the supervision of Prof. Molly Shoichet studying the biochemical patterning of hydrogels. Dr. Wylie was a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow with Profs. Daniel Kohane at Harvard Medical School and Robert Langer at the MIT developing drug delivery strategies and anti-angiogenic therapies for retinal diseases, as well as blood filtration devices for the treatment of sepsis. Currently, Dr. Wylie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at McMaster conducting research in the delivery of cancer immunotherapeutics and low-fouling materials. Dr. Wylie’s lab is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), New Frontiers Research Fund (NFRF), Prostate Cancer Canada and Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
Snacks and Refreshments will be served
Graduate Super Women Engineers (GradSWE) invites you to “Celebrating Women in Engineering: An Evening of Conversations” on March 5, 6-8pm, in GB 202. This event will be led by some of the biggest names in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Toronto.
Featuring a moderated discussion with a diverse panel of professors who have worked extensively not only as researchers, but also in governance and administration, engineering education, international innovation projects and within industry and other sectors:
- Cristina Amon – Dean Emerita of Engineering; Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
- Yu-Ling Cheng (ChemE) – Distinguished Professor in Centre for Global Engineering; Lead, Reinvent Toilet Challenge by Gates Foundation
- Marianne Hatzopoulou – Canada Research Chair in Transport and Air Quality; Professor, Civil and Mineral Engineering
- Naomi Matsuura – Professor, Material Science and Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering
- Emily Moore – Director, Troost ILead Program in Engineering
Mixer and networking session with complimentary food and drinks to follow the discussion.
Limited RSVPs are now open on Eventbrite. This is a free and public event where everyone is welcome, made possible by the generous support of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. In case of any questions/concerns please reach out to us at gradsweuoft@gmail.com
The next Food for Thought: Teaching Effectiveness lunch topic is “TA training,” featuring guest speaker Prof. Deborah Tihanyi (ISTEP). Lunch provided.
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Deborah Tihanyi has been teaching with the Engineering Communication Program (ECP) since 2001 and is currently an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream. She has taught across all departments in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, from large classes to one-on-one tutoring. In recent years, her focus has been on developing communication curriculum in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, working closely with Engineering faculty and creating training protocols for teaching assistants—all Engineering graduate students—teaching communication. Her research for the past 10 years has focused on engineering education, including the development of professional identity, the creation and use of professional portfolios, the integration of disciplinary knowledge and communication and TA training and professional development.
This lecture was formerly titled Lubricin: Alleviating the Effects of Dry Eye.
Abstract
Dry eye is an affliction where the tear film of the eye is unable to protect the cornea epithelium. One suspected cause of this condition is a deficiency of mucin, a protein that is thought to enhance wettability and reduce friction experienced during blinking. We report on the development of a model for mucin deficient dry eye and an investigation of the ability of lubricin, a heavily glycosylated protein, to restore lubricity and low friction during simulated blink events.
Bio
Gerald Fuller is the Fletcher Jones Professor of Chemical Engineering at Stanford University. He joined Stanford in 1980 following his graduate work at Caltech where he acquired his MS and PhD degrees. His undergraduate education was obtained at the University of Calgary, Canada. Professor Fuller’s interests lie in studies of rheology and interfacial fluid mechanics. His work has been recognized by receipt of the Bingham Medal of The Society of Rheology, membership in the National Academy of Engineering, election to the American Academy of Arts and Science, and honorary doctorates from the Universities of Crete, Greece, and Leuven, Belgium. He presently serves as the General Secretary to the International Committee on Rheology.
View the complete 2020-21 LLE schedule
Should you have any questions or require accommodation to attend the event, please email amanda.hacio@utoronto.ca.
Cynthia Goh, Professor of Chemistry, University of Toronto: Nanomaterials: from fundamental science to applications and impact
Abstract:
Why are we fascinated with the nanoscale? In this talk I will answer that question from the perspective of my lab, in terms of the challenges as well as opportunities that are offered. I will discuss perspectives on the commercialization of scientific knowledge and why it is important in our impact on society, particularly with regards to the global community.
Biography:
M. Cynthia Goh is Professor of Chemistry at the University of Toronto. She is the founder of the Impact Centre, an institute that aims to bring science to society, and was the inaugural Academic Director of University of Toronto Entrepreneurship. Her research interest centers on the interactions and properties of very large molecules, which has impact on nanotechnology, biomaterials and biodiagnostics. Other passions are: the translation of scientific discovery to technology/products that benefit society; the training of scientist-entrepreneurs; and the development of technology for low resource settings. Her research has led to 8 science-based companies, which she has co-founded with her students, including: Axela (medical diagnostics based on diffractive optics), Vive Crop Protection (nanotechnology in agriculture), Pueblo Science (non-profit for science literacy in low resource communities worldwide) and Phantin (nanomaterials coatings for environmental issues). In 2003 she originated Entrepreneurship101, an introduction for students who want to be entrepreneurs, which later moved to MaRS and expanded to thousands registered annually. In 2010 she founded Techno, an intensive training program for scientists/engineers who want to create science-based companies; in its 10 years, this program nucleated and nurtured 150+ student-led start-ups based on university research. Professor Goh has given invited lectures on her scientific research results, on their translation to useful products, and on the process of innovation and the training of scientist-entrepreneurs.
Microsoft Teams meeting:
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 647-794-1609,,522275285# Canada, Toronto
Phone Conference ID: 522 275 285#
Speaker: Professor Frank Gu
Join the Exhibition Distinguished Lecture on Zoom
- Password: UofTChemE
- Webinar ID: 910 3270 9340
Professor Frank Gu discusses taking global solutions for sustainability from the lab into business. Conducting research and training of highly skilled researchers have long been a central focus of universities. A roadmap to bring knowledge created in an academic lab to a practical application can be a convoluted and challenging process. In this talk, Professor Gu will discuss the advantages of fostering industry partnerships, cultivating entrepreneurship, and creating business models and technology development roadmaps in bringing research solutions closer to commercialization.
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Frank Gu is a Professor and an NSERC Senior Industrial Research Chair in Nanotechnology Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry. Dr. Gu received his BSc from Trent University, Ph.D. from Queen’s University, and postdoctoral training from MIT and Harvard Medical School. Before joining U of T 2018, Dr. Gu was an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Gu has established a frontier research program in Nanotechnology Engineering, with important advances in medical and life science applications. His research has brought tangible impacts on his field and industry, including mucoadhesive materials for the treatment of Dry Eye Disease, and photocatalytic water treatment technologies for the Canadian energy sector.
Dr. Afsaneh Fazly, Research Director, Samsung Toronto AI Centre
Abstract: Wouldn’t we all love to seamlessly communicate and interact with our cell phones, smart watches, and even our home appliances? This is indeed the holy grail of AI: to build machines and systems that can think, behave, and communicate in a way that is indistinguishable from human intelligent behaviour (the Turing test). The AI community has long realized that effectively and truly passing the Turing test is extremely difficult, if not close to impossible. As such, for the past few decades, AI researchers have focused on solving fundamental problems in separate sub-fields of AI, such as computer vision, computational linguistics, machine learning, planning, and reasoning (to name a few). With the recent advances in these areas, we are finally at a point where we can bring the puzzle pieces of AI together to build wholistic multi-faceted and multi-modal systems that actually work in practise, hence the recent surge in industry investment and interest in AI. In this talk, I will first give a high-level overview of how AI research is key to the success of an innovative company such as Samsung. I will then go over some of our efforts at the Samsung AI Centre in Toronto around building multi-modal communication and understanding systems that will pave the way for next generation human–machine interaction.
Bio: Dr. Afsaneh Fazly is currently a Research Director at the Samsung Toronto AI Centre, leading a team of outstanding scientists and engineers on a variety of projects at the intersection of vision and language. Afsaneh has extensive experience in both academia and the industry, publishing award-winning papers, and building strong teams solving real-world problems. Her research draws on many subfields of AI, including Computational Linguistics, Cognitive Science, Computational Vision, and Machine Learning. She strongly believes that solving many of today’s real-world problems requires an interdisciplinary approach that can bridge the gap between machine intelligence and human cognition. Prior to joining Samsung Research, Afsaneh worked at several Canadian companies where she helped build and lead teams of scientists and engineers solving a diverse set of AI problems. Prior to that, she was a Research Scientist and Course Instructor at the University of Toronto, where she received her PhD from.
Join us as we celebrate the achievements of our ChemE community at our end-of-year virtual awards celebration in our exclusive ChemE Gather.town space!
The event will feature:
- Welcoming remarks from Grant Allen (Chair)
- Virtual Awards Presentation
- ChemE Student Video
- Mix and Mingle in the ChemE Gather.town Cocktail Lounge
- Games, prizes and a ChemE themed escape room!
Contact Branden Wesseling as soon as possible if you would still like to register (branden.wesseling@utoronto.ca).
Peter Kondos, YaKum Consulting Inc.
Title: “Alternative Lixiviants to Cyanide – The Thiosulphate Experience”
Hosted by Professor Vladimiros Papangelakis
Abstract
The use of cyanide in the recovery of precious metals, particularly gold, has been practiced for nearly 150 years, because of its efficiency, selectivity to gold and easiness to use. The major impetus in seeking alternative lixiviants to cyanide arises from the environmental hazards posed by the toxicity of cyanide, with numerous environmental groups throughout the world actively pursuing a ban on its use. On a few occasions, cyanide use is uneconomic due to certain characteristics of the gold ore, such as high content of organic carbon, copper, and sulphur.
Thiosulphate is currently considered the most attractive alternative to cyanide for leaching gold due to its low toxicity and its potential use on carbonaceous ores that cannot be readily treated by conventional cyanidation. This presentation reviews the development of the ammoniacal thiosulphate leaching process for gold and silver extraction and discusses the underlying leaching mechanism, thermodynamics, thiosulphate stability and gold recovery options. The chemistry of the ammonia-thiosulphate-copper system is complicated. However, we found that by maintaining suitable Eh and pH and by controlling the concentrations of thiosulphate, ammonia, copper and oxygen in the leach solution, high gold extraction can be achieved with low reagent consumption:
The thiosulphate technology was selected by Barrick Gold Corp. to process very refractory gold ores in Nevada, USA. In November 2014, the Goldstrike mine in Nevada poured its first gold bar produced using their patented thiosulphate leaching technology, with a technology team led by the presenter. This milestone marked the industrial beginning of a new process developed to extract gold from double refractory ores that could not be treated via the traditional cyanidation/carbon-in-leach (CIL). The arduous path of technology development and commercialization will also be discussed.
Biography
Peter Kondos was born in Athens, Greece, where he completed his Diploma of Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens, followed by a MEng on Computers in Mining and a Ph.D. in Hydrometallurgy, both at McGill University. He has extensive expertise on leading innovation efforts, technology, IP management & commercialization and consistent track record of implementing new solutions in challenging situations. He has been involved in building worldwide networks and innovation ecosystems to solve complex challenges.
Peter has worked for:
- the Canadian Government at CANMET in Ottawa
- the Noranda Technology Centre in Montreal, leading the Hydrometallurgy group
- an electronic powders manufacturer for a year as R&D Manager of New Products
- Inco Technical Services in Mississauga as a Mini-Plant Operations Manager
- Barrick Gold Corporation, where he held the position of Sr. Director, Strategic Technology Solutions, coordinating step changes and breakthrough technologies
- YaKum Consulting Inc. as CEO, and Board member in technology organizations
His peer recognitions include:
- Sherritt Hydrometallurgy Award
- Chair of Canada Mining Innovation Council (CMIC 2014-2016)
- Innovation Award for the Thiosulphate Process (2016) and the Hot Cure and Lime Boiling Process to recover silver from the pressure oxidation process (2019)
- Has participated in numerous lectures and round tables on Mining Innovation.
Meeting link:
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 647-794-1609,,173491355# Canada, Toronto
Phone Conference ID: 173 491 355#