Undergraduate Research Exhibition
Welcome to our Undergraduate Research Exhibition, where we showcase the work of some of our undergraduate students. Our research program offers 10 to 12 undergraduate students the opportunity to gain an introduction to research through grants of $5,000.
The process begins with a competitive selection process in which students develop their own research question and methodology, and are then paired with a supervisor from our faculty.
Students then spend the summer developing these projects and addressing their research questions. Throughout this period, we aim to support these students through a series of workshops and discussion forums. The workshops cover important topics such as an introduction to ethical approval or what to expect during the peer-review publication process. Our discussion forums allow students to share the challenges they face and work together to find solutions.
Ultimately, we find that this program supports students in their development as academics and effectively prepares them for postgraduate study. In many cases, this program is cited as the catalyst that motivated students to consider postgraduate study.
Our Recipents for 2025
Please note: Some of the following may only be available in French
Jillian Aisenstat
Canada d’abord ou Canada fort? Le discours nationaliste chez Pierre Poilievre et Mark Carney durant la campagne électorale de 2025
Prior to the 2025 federal election campaign, Canada faced an imminent threat: the imposition of tariffs and threats of annexation by the United States under President Trump. In response to these threats, the 2025 election was one of the most nationalistic we have seen in a long time. We therefore conducted a comparative analysis of the nationalist rhetoric of Mark Carney, leader of the Liberal Party, and Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party, to determine the type and fervour of nationalism employed by each leader.
Final Report Poster Presentation
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Patrick Adjifack Akama
l'impact de l'Intelligence Artificielle (IA) sur la personnalisation de l'apprentissage au campus Saint-Jean
This research project studied the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on personalized learning at Saint-Jean Campus (Edmonton, Alberta). The objective was to evaluate its benefits, potential drawbacks, and obstacles encountered by students and professors. Participants were asked to complete two different questionnaires, one for students and one for teachers. The research results show that the use of AI promotes autonomy and curiosity, but it is also associated with problems of dependency, unreliable responses, and a possible impact on a decline in critical thinking among students.
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Moka Bienvenu
Les formes et les impacts des intrusions démocratiques : recensement des ingérences étrangères dans les élections canadiennes depuis 2021
This research topic examines foreign interference in Canadian federal elections since 2021, in a context where democracies face growing external threats. The objective is to identify the forms of intrusion, their impacts on electoral integrity, and the institutional responses implemented. From this perspective, we explored the topic by asking: “How does foreign interference af ect the integrity of Canadian electoral processes and democratic institutions, and what are the most ef ective institutional responses to address it?” The methodology is based on a qualitative analysis of official reports (Hon. Hogue M‐J., 2025), governmental communications (Fadden, 2021), articles (Tertrais, B., 2023), and academic works (Angers, M.A., 2023) to identify the forms of interference, the actors involved, the institutional responses, and the observed impacts. The results reveal increased vigilance from various security and intelligence services, as well as stronger and reinforced measures from the Canadian government.
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Roxane Dieket
Analyse comparative des interventions policières dans les universités canadiennes et ivoiriennes : impacts sur la liberté d’expression étudiante
This review compares police interventions at universities in Alberta (Canada) and Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Côte d’Ivoire) and their impact on students’ freedom of expression. Although campuses should encourage democratic debate, security practices highlight tensions between authority, safety, and critical expression. By examining recent cases such as the dismantling of the pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Alberta (2024) and student repression in Côte d’Ivoire the study identifies similar outcomes: self-censorship, institutional mistrust, and shrinking democratic space. At the same time, it underscores students’ ethical and collective resistance as key strategies to reassert fundamental rights within academic environments.
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Francisco Echegaray
Bee-lieve it : Les secrets de la longévité révélés dans le métabolisme mitochondrial d'Apis mellifera
Mitochondrial metabolism is a key determinant of lifespan across taxa. Queens often live for more than two years, in stark contrast to the ~30-day lifespan of workers. Young queens exhibited strong reliance on the glycerol-3-phosphate (Gp) pathway, and our high-resolution respirometry experiments demonstrated that this pathway derives from fatty acid metabolism. Together, our results demonstrate that metabolic changes can increase lifespan in the honeybee.
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Keita Hill
Développement de matériel de formation des enseignants basé sur le concept pédagogique hybride: 3-4-5+
A literature review and five interviews with experienced teachers were conducted to determine how teachers develop creative educational activities that meet curriculum requirements while also fostering student engagement. The interview results are analyzed using the 3-4-5+ concept (Campeau, 2021), a hybrid pedagogy that draws on both place-based and Indigenous pedagogy. Drawing on each interview, a lesson plan was described and published on a website. A standardized approach to integrating the 3-4-5+ framework using a checklist (3D activities, four elements : fire, water, earth and air ; five western senses (sight, smell, etc.), metacognition and interdisciplinarity) is also proposed.
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Annika Neill
Le rôle historique et actuel de la langue française dans la vallée de l’Okanagan
This research explores the historical and contemporary role of the French language in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, and its influence on power, identity, and political representation at local and federal levels. Despite being a minority, French remains a key issue for Francophone communities within a predominantly English-speaking context. Through a survey of French-speaking voters and interviews with local politicians, the project examines linguistic and political interactions. It aims to deepen the discussion on linguistic diversity in Canada and offer insights to strengthen bilingualism and minority representation.
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Rebecca Onley
L’impact de la robotique et du codage sur l’apprentissage des élèves dans les écoles francophones d’Edmonton : Le cas des élèves des écoles de la Découverte et la Citadelle : avantages, inconvénients, défis et stratégies pédagogiques
This project aimed to analyze the impact of robotics and coding on student learning in Edmonton's French-language schools, particularly École de la Découverte and La Citadelle. The study examined the advantages, disadvantages, challenges, and pedagogical strategies associated with integrating these technologies into teaching. Data was collected from three teachers and nine students through semi-structured interviews and a document analysis. The results show that robotics and coding promote creativity, critical thinking, motivation, and teamwork, while highlighting the risks of dependency, blunting of critical thinking, etc. for students.
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Fatine Ouajdouni
Développement d’un plugin Moodle avec un chatbot IA pour l’accompagnement des étudiant.e.s
This project aims to develop a Moodle plugin integrating an AI-powered chatbot using the Chatbase API. The goal is to provide interactive, accessible, and personalized support to high school students, higher education learners, and anyone using Moodle as their main teaching platform. The chatbot is designed to answer questions, maintain conversation history, and integrate seamlessly into Moodle courses. This work addresses both technical challenges (installation, API use, security, user interface) and pedagogical opportunities (student engagement, autonomy, and academic success). This project aligns with current research showing the positive impact of educational chatbots, offering a concrete and adaptable solution.
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Camille Poirier
Un bestiaire moderne : Recherche-création en littérature de l’imaginaire et animalière
Faced with climate change, natural disasters, and the ever-increasing devastation of the animal world, activists and scientists are turning to artists, especially authors. Together they are trying to find new ways to raise public awareness about the current alarming global situation. A literary movement is emerging from this cry for help: climate fiction also known as nature writing. Echoes of this cry for help can be heard in the mountains of Europe, in Bambois, where Claudie Hunzinger lives. A visual artist and novelist, who defends nature, admires its beauty, and assesses its devastation through her writing. This research serves to contextualize the dynamics of climate fiction literary works while focusing specifically on Claudie Hunzinger, and then proceed to create a text that is in line with the same ideas.
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Amadou Abou Sy
Intégration socio-professionnelle des immigrants francophones diplômés de l'université dans le secteur éducatif albertain : Défis, opportunités et perspectives
This study explores the socio-professional integration of French-speaking immigrant university graduates within Alberta’s educational sector. Based on a survey of 30 participants, it highlights key challenges such as language barriers, limited professional networks, and administrative hurdles. Unlike previous findings, foreign credential recognition is rarely perceived as an obstacle, largely due to the support of Campus Saint-Jean. The study also points to favorable conditions, including a shortage of French-speaking teachers and the inclusive nature of the educational environment. Recommendations emphasize mentorship, recognition of prior learning, and targeted linguistic support to strengthen Francophone vitality.
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Nikita Taranik
les différences présentes dans le métabolisme mitochondrial chez deux lignées du bruche d’haricots Acanthoscelides obtectus
Le présent projet visait à analyser les différences présentes dans le métabolisme mitochondrial chez deux lignées du bruche d’haricots Acanthoscelides obtectus. L’organisme modèle se distingue par le fait que les deux lignées (E et L), développées par sélection artificielle à l’université de Belgrade (Tucić et al., 1996), présentent des différences importantes en longévité. Le présent projet, en élaborant sur les études de Mast et al. (2023, 2024) examine plusieurs voies et métabolites mitochondriaux qui se diffèrent entre les lignes E et L afin d’avancer vers une meilleure compréhension des facteurs biochimiques affectant la longévité.
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