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Join us on November 30th for our virtual Demo Day Event!

For the last 6 weeks, multidisciplinary teams have been designing and prototyping solutions to some of the toughest challenges in the study of the brain and the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders and mental health conditions as part of the Neuro Nexus program. 30 projects, sparked by challenges from local scientists, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and community professionals, were supported by the Neuro Nexus program. On Demo Day, teams will present their functional prototypes and compete for awards.

Event Agenda (MST)

3:30 PM - Sign In / Open Networking
4:00 PM - Opening Remarks
4:15 PM - Speed Pitches
5:00 PM - Trivia and Peoples' Choice Voting Opens
5:15 PM - Open Project Viewing
6:15 PM - Panel Discussion
7:00 PM - Awards Presentation

Panel Discussion

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An exciting panel discussion between entrepreneurs, researchers, and members of industry innovating at the intersections of neuroscience, computational methods, and machine intelligence in Alberta, with the aim of highlighting the frontiers they are pushing with their work in the multifaceted field of neuroinformatics.

Learn more about the panellists:

Alice Reimer

Alice Reimer is a successful technology entrepreneur and dedicated community leader and mentor. She co-founded Calgary-based Evoco, leading the innovative SaaS firm from initial concept through to a 2012 acquisition. Evoco’s technology became the standard construction management system for global retailers including Walmart, Home Depot, and Staples. Most recently, Alice was the CEO of Chaordix, a pioneering software leader in the crowdsourcing and open innovation space, with global clients including LEGO, Procter & Gamble, KPMG, and IBM.

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Dr. Emma Towlson

Dr. Emma Towlson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary, based in the Computer Science Department and collaborating with the Complexity Science Group and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. She is a network (neuro)scientist who believes complex systems science is at the heart of understanding our interconnected world, and the organisms that share it. Dr. Towlson completed her postdoctoral training at the Center for Complex Network Research at Northeastern University. She received her PhD from the University of Cambridge (2015), and holds a Masters in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Warwick (2011). She is invested in bringing transdisciplinary approaches to broader audiences and educational settings. Dr. Towlson is part of the Homeward Bound network, a value-driven global leadership program that aims to change the narrative around leadership and promote the impact of women in science on decisions that shape the future of our planet.

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Dr. Deborah Kurrasch

Dr Deborah Kurrasch is a Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Calgary and a Scientist in the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. Dr Kurrasch’s research is focused on characterizing the genetic programs that govern hypothalamic development and how exposure to environmental chemicals changes these programs using zebrafish, mice and human brain organoids as model systems. Her lab also developed a novel drug screening platform to uncover therapies for children with refractory epilepsy. Their lead repurposed drug entered clinical trials at Alberta Children’s Hospital and her team is commercializing a novel compound for the treatment of refractory epilepsy through her company, Path Therapeutics. Her work is/has been funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Brain Canada, among other private foundations.

Dr Kurrasch received her PhD in Molecular Pharmacology from Purdue University and conducted two postdoctoral fellowships, one at the University of Texas – Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and one at the University of California – San Francisco. Dr Kurrasch has received various awards for her scholarly work and supervision of graduate students, most recently receiving the Peak Scholar in Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Knowledge, 2018.

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Nicole Janssen

Nicole Janssen leads AltaML’s service business and is active in the entrepreneurial community. Nicole is also co-founder of Janalta Interactive Inc., an online media company. Nicole’s background includes starting Stratus Holdings Inc., a private real estate investment firm, and prior success as a real estate broker. Nicole is passionate about community and currently serves as a board member of Innovate Edmonton. Nicole previously served as a director for Junior Achievement of Northern Alberta & NWT for over 5 years, including 2 years as Chair. Nicole holds a B.Comm. in international business from the University of Alberta.

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The Projects

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OpticKey is a deep learning artificial intelligence system utilizing ocular fundus photographs to differentiate between typical and atypical optic neuritis classifications.

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Applying a novel, state-of-the-art neural network to predict seizures well in advance, leveraging the superb performance to complexity ratio of the Legendre Memory Unit.

Kiosk Kreators

Fast, easy-to-use, portable kiosk that measures and tracks multiple specific neurophysiological parameters over time while providing consistent and objective data to patients and practitioners.

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The LibraBoard provides training, assessment, and biofeedback for balance through gamified rehab exercises, to help users take advantage of neuroplasticity and live life safely.

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This program offers guidance on making healthy food choices and encourages healthy relationships with food, while supporting mental health and promoting intuitive eating.

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Memory on Hand offers an alternative to writing important information down in the moment - wrist-based tactile feedback to help critical information stick.

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All children deserve to move freely. Neuro GoGo presents an affordable brain-computer interface for children with limited mobility. Neuro GoGo - helping you move better.

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Universal Brain Remote

A universal remote control that uses signals from a brain-computer interface to allow individuals with movement disabilities to use a wide range of toys and games.

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Annabot gives our seniors a personalized uplifting experience at the touch of a button and creates deep insights that shape the future of community health.

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Quick Wave is a portable, affordable, and fast EEG device that will combat the shortcomings of traditional EEGs, making it optimal for acute care settings.

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LinGrow is a free and accessible web-based app to help multilingual families support children’s language development; access information; and facilitate communication with teachers and researchers.

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Mozart's Guiding Hand

Glove using electrical simulations to help patients with various disabilities to learn piano. Wireless communication between glove and phone app allowing for choice of song.

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Precizion Ergonomics

We are a research group focused on reducing the negative impacts of sedentary behaviour. We designed an early prototype that collects time-sensitive pressure data, and provides vibrational feedback to the user when they’ve been sitting for 30 minutes. The vibration notifies the user to “take a break.”

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NeuroBot

Between 10-20% of Canadian young adults have a mental disorder and by the age of 40, about half of the population will suffer or have suffered from mental disease. Due to healthcare utilization, mental diseases have an economic impact on the healthcare system. It’s estimated at around $51B dollars in Canada alone. Our goal was to build an assistive chatbot, the Neurobot, to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, by offering tips, such as meditation and journaling, based on science and the most recent publications.

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AHS Concussion Connection

Through a free application, our plan is to connect people who have sustained a head injury to care providers and provide them with nearby resources.

RemBRAINdt

RemBRAINdt is an EEG based application that uses machine learning to interpret the user’s live brain data to create dynamic personalized abstract art.

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Muscle Asymmetry

Simple full-body model created using available data from older versions of the Kinect device.  This type of data will be used to determine body movement via software, which will then be analyzed.  Results will be reported on screen. As there are not examples of using a touchless method to determine specific muscle action, we have had to simplify the prototype to look for asymmetry between muscle groups.


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UniHealthTracker

A universal and customizable tracking app to provide insightful health information for the client, health care professional, and researcher.

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MOSAICS is a brain imaging and neurophysiology toolbox that needs a big overhaul to make it user friendly and easy to use.

SimuStroke: Bioflow AI

SimuStroke automatically simulates stroke treatment options, enabling specialists to provide personalized care, and thus, preventing long term disabilities in stroke patients.

CerebroFlow is a real-time, dynamic visualization analysis of brain networks derived from EEG recordings and hosted on a user-friendly web browser.

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Tech for Teletherapy

For families transitioning to online therapy during the pandemic, our platform connects clinicians to children with neurodevelopmental disabilities to a variety of customizable activities.

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A nostalgic and adventurous mobile platform, paving a convenient and affordable way for students to track their wellness through gamified mental health assessments.

Machine Learning for Seizure Detection in Mouse EEG Data

Our problem is to train a machine learning algorithm to detect seizures in mice based on historical electroencephalogram (EEG) data.

Neuro Nexus 2020 is Presented By:

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2020 Sponsors

Platinum

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Gold

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Silver

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Community

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