Sheridan recognizes rising stars in student research, innovation and entrepreneurship

Contributions from Sheridan students help lay the groundwork for innovation in a variety of forms, including the development of a wheelchair for cats and dogs with disabilities, building deeper community connections for Black and Indigenous Peoples, or improving comfort levels for prosthetic limb users.

By bringing creativity, curiosity and determination to Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RIE) projects, students showcase their inspiring potential to contribute to meaningful change across our communities.

In recognition of the incredible student contributions to RIE, Generator at Sheridan presented 12 students (some of whom are now proud alumni) with 2024 Generator Student Awards last semester.

“Being involved in research at Sheridan has been life-changing for me. It's really pushed me to think outside of the box. ”

– 2024 Generator Student Award recipient Mohamed Kasim

Launched in 2021, the Generator Student Awards were created out of a desire from faculty and staff researchers to recognize students’ contributions in RIE activities. These faculty-nominated awards recognize student excellence in a thesis, capstone or course-based research project, or as part of a funded or unfunded research project. To date, 78 Sheridan students have been recipients of the Generator Student Awards.

“Our talented students play a key role in the continued vibrancy and impactful nature of research, innovation and entrepreneurship activities at Sheridan. They contribute a wealth of talent ideation and impactful solutions to our projects, gaining valuable learning experiences and personal growth in the process,” said Andrea England, Vice Provost, Research.

In addition to building self-confidence, deeper problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills that ready them for the workforce, students develop important connections with industry and community partners that can lead to future employment opportunities.

“Being involved in research at Sheridan has been life-changing for me,” said Generator Student Award recipient Mohamed Kasim. “The projects that I worked on were so different from each other, but they gave me the opportunity to learn new skills and apply them to where I am in my manufacturing career right now. It's really pushed me to think outside of the box when it comes to the endless possibilities in innovation."

Following is a list of the 2024 Generator Student Award winners and details about the projects they supported.

2024 Generator Student Award Recipients

Creative Activities Award

Recipients: Inderpreet Singh, Ayman Hashim, and Anthony Wong, Mechanical Engineering Technology - Design

Project: “Kitty-Cruiser”

As part of their project-based course, Singh, Hashim and Wong designed, drafted and manufactured the “kitty-cruiser” – a wheelchair for cats and dogs with disabilities.

Many wheelchairs offer limitations in comfort and versatility, but the students presented a cost-effective and efficient solution that combined various components from different products, including a tri-wheel configuration, adjustable struts, and harness. The wheelchairs were tailored to the unique body shapes and structures of the animals, enhancing their mobility and range of movement.

Excellence in Curricular-Embedded Research Award

Recipients: Elaine Kwee and Cheyenne McDonald, Bachelor of Social and Community Development ('24)

Project: “Factors Motivating Social Entrepreneurs to Learn About Change-making, Social Innovation, and Entrepreneurship”

For their capstone research project, Kwee and McDonald explored what factors motivated social entrepreneurs to learn about change-making, social innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Both students conducted online interviews with 10 social entrepreneurs and yielded insightful data on their motivations, which can encourage entrepreneurs to continue on their path of creating social impact. In addition to data analysis and collection, the students completed a final report on the research and engaged in knowledge mobilization activities that included developing an animated YouTube video that shared their results.

Innovation in Research

Recipients: Parth Jigneshkumar Patel and Kunal Bajaj, Honours Bachelor of Computer Science

Project: “Generative AI for Library Frequently Asked Questions”

Patel and Bajaj contributed to externally-funded research that explored the development of an intelligent chatbot prototype for the Oakville Public Library website to provide users personalized support with quick and seamless access to the library’s information, resources and services.

By combining open Large Language Models with a Retrieval Augmented Generation framework to create a system that tailors responses to the questions and chat history, the students developed an innovative approach to intelligent information retrieval and generation that has the potential to change the way libraries and other organizations communicate with their users.

Pushing Interdisciplinary Boundaries

Recipient: Theodor Nguyen, Electromechanical Engineering Technology ('24)

Projects: “Design and Manufacturability Study of Sensor Enclosures for Rehab Tracking”; “Robotic Gait Simulator – Data Collection and Analysis”

Recognized for his work on two externally-funded projects, Nguyen’s contributions demonstrated a blend of engineering expertise and creative problem-solving.

In the "Sensor Enclosures for Rehab Tracking” project, he designed and optimized sensor enclosures and charging stations, and also explored bio-compatible materials and 3D printing techniques for improved functionality and cost-effectiveness. In the "Robotic Gait Simulator" project, he bridged his expertise in mechanical engineering with healthcare innovation, leveraging software and robotics to improve prosthetic limb comfort and mobility.

On both projects, he excelled in collaborating with researchers across electrical, mechanical, biomedicine and manufacturing disciplines.

Student Leadership in Research

Recipient: Mohamed Kasim, Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)

Projects: “Process Development for Insertion of Heat-Resistant Insulation Strips or Sheets into Windows/Doors Profiles”; “Automated Filter Tuning Solution”; “Design and Manufacturability Study of Sensor Enclosures for Rehab Tracking”; “Robotic Gait Simulator – Data Collection and Analysis”

Kasim’s involvement in four externally-funded projects helped to showcase the diversity of his skill set, student mentorship, and valuable insight into work that has the potential for lasting impact in our communities.

In "Process Development”, he assisted other students in the development of a system for enhancing vinyl frames' thermal properties by incorporating heat-resistant insulation strips. As the project lead for “Automated Filter Tuning Solution”, he managed the design and integration of advanced robotics to streamline the manual tuning process, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery. In "Rehab Tracking”, he was consulted for his expertise in 3D printing to explore options for better functionality and affordability. Lastly, Kasim’s role in the “Robotic Gait Simulator” project involved setting up an industrial robot to mimic human movements, aiming to improve the comfort level for prosthetic limb users.

Team Collaboration in Research

Recipients: Shamas Berantuo, Child and Youth Care ('24); Alexandra Hansen, Paralegal ('24); and Michella Mark, Bachelor of Ilustration

Project: “Hearts + Minds - Black and Indigenous Participatory Action Research Project”

Berantuo, Hansen and Mark provided meaningful thought leadership and expertise to this externally-funded project which aims to build deeper community connections for Black and Indigenous Peoples.

In addition to contributing to research reports and the vibrancy of community engagements, the students applied their Black and Indigenous-lived experiences and disciplinary expertise in the co-design, coordination and facilitation of participatory action research with Black and Indigenous youth.

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About Generator at Sheridan

Generator at Sheridan is where purpose and passion unite the extraordinary research, innovation and entrepreneurship undertaken by Sheridan’s faculty, staff and students, working across disciplines and sectors, to drive meaningful impact for an everchanging world. For more information, visit sheridancollege.ca/generator.