Title: "Predator-prey Interactions Under Thermal Pressure"

Supervisory Committee:
Dr. Adam Algar (supervisor)
Dr. Stephan Hecnar
Dr. Lesley Lancaster
Dr. Luke Mahler (external examiner)

Please join Ryley in ATAC 3004 or contact Heather at biology@lakeheadu.ca for the Zoom link.

Please join the Computer Science department for the upcoming thesis defense:

Presenter: Xiaofan Wang

Thesis title: Feature Extraction Enhances Model Performance

Abstract: Deep learning has emerged as a prominent approach in traditional machine learning paradigms due to its superior capability for deep-level feature extraction. This, in turn, demonstrates that the efficiency, depth, and richness of feature extraction have a profound impact on model performance. Features serve as key characteristics for distinguishing objects and represent dimensionality-reduced representations of data. This paper proposes two effective models applied to EEG emotion recognition and NL2SQL tasks, respectively, which enhance model performance through optimized feature extraction.

In previous models for processing EEG signals, researchers have typically focused on only partial features of EEG while rarely integrating these features comprehensively. To address this limitation, we designed a multi-feature extraction method that improves performance by extracting and combining frequency, spatial, temporal, and global features from EEG signals. We conducted extensive experiments on the SEED and DEAP datasets, generating confusion matrices, t-SNE distributions, and brain region activation heatmaps to demonstrate the effectiveness of our model. Additionally, our method incorporates an adaptive GCN that eliminates the requirement for pre-defined adjacency matrices.

For the NL2SQL task, unlike traditional models that train from scratch, we designed a framework based on fine-tuning pre-trained BERT and conducted experiments on theWikiSQL, Academic, and Spider datasets. The results demonstrate that our model achieves superior performance compared to traditional models in clause prediction and exhibits stronger generalization capabilities, indicating that the prior knowledge embedded in pretrained models also benefits the model’s feature extraction capacity.


Committee members:
Dr. Ruizhong Wei (supervisor, committee chair), Dr. Sabah Mohammed, Dr. Yimin Yang (Western University)

Please contact grad.compsci@lakeheadu.ca for the Zoom link. Everyone is welcome.

The Mathematics Competency Assessment (MCA) is an assessment that all P/J teacher candidates must complete to receive their Bachelor of Education. It tests math content knowledge to ensure that our future teachers have the necessary knowledge and understanding to teach in Ontario schools. It covers the mathematical concepts that make up the Ontario math curriculum (elementary) and requires demonstration of understanding in a range of areas.

Please join us for Hannah Storrs final MA thesis defense. This is a hybrid defense. Should you wish to attend in person it will take place in ATAC 3004.

Title: Understanding Familiarity: Intimacy’s Role in Public Stigma towardsMental Illness

Supervisor: Dr. Amanda Maranzan

Second Reader: Dr. Rupert Klein

External Examiner: Dr. Josephine Tan

GSC Rep: Dr. Dwight Mazmanian

Please contact admin.psych@lakeheadu.ca for Zoom link and passcode

Do you have a quick question or need help, and can't wait for an appointment? Join the weekly drop-in sessions on Wednesday afternoon to speak to any of your International Student Advisors. This session is offered in person and online via Zoom (first come, first served). Zoom link: https://lakeheadu.zoom.us/j/98736320404

Lakehead University’s Global Ambassador Program is the ultimate opportunity for students to engage, connect and collaborate with their peers on campus, in the community, and globally. Applications for the 2025-2026 Global Ambassador Program - Level 1 intake are now open for students in Thunder Bay, Orillia, and Barrie! Drop by to learn about this great opportunity.

While studying abroad Belize Tami learned about Mayan pottery and had the opportunity to create with clay herself. Learn about Tami’s experience and try it out for yourself!

Saturday August 30, 10:00am – 4:30pm: Field Tours and Watermelon Tasting (in person)

This Saturday event will begin at Roots Community Food Centre Lillie Street Garden at 125 Lillie St., Thunder Bay at 10:00am. Field tours will conclude at Root Cellar Gardens in South Gillies at 3:30pm. Return to Lillie Street Garden by 4:30pm. Please indicate when registering if you require transportation.

Join us for a day of celebrating and exploring what happens when diverse seeds and people come together. Learn about ongoing collaborative projects to grow various crops that thrive in our region and why this work is so important. See these adapting crops in three locations (Roots Community Food Centre’s Lillie Street garden, Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station, and Root Cellar Gardens). Be a part of the breeding process by tasting locally grown watermelons and helping select which seeds to save and replant next year.

Snacks will be provided, but participants are advised to bring a lunch and a water bottle. This event will take place rain or shine, so dress for the weather!

Also…find us at the Hymers Fall Fair on Sunday August 31 and Monday September 1, 2025! Stop by our booth to say “hi”, taste some watermelon and take one home, have your say in the collaborative adaptive breeding project. (Note: There is an admission fee of $10 to the Hymers Fall Fair.)

Seeds of Change: Discussion and Tour

This event is hosted by Lakehead University’s Sustainable Food Systems Lab in partnership with the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, Roots Community Food Centre, Superior Seed Producers, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, Lake Superior Living Labs Network, Understanding Our Food Systems, the Food Action Network of Northwestern Ontario, Gaia Organic Seeds, and Root Cellar Gardens.

Join local seed producers, researchers, and gardeners for part (or all!) of this 2-day event celebrating our community and collective ability to protect our seeds, grow food and community, and learn together.

Friday August 29, 7:00pm to 8:30pm: Local to Global Perspectives on Seed Sovereignty Panel Discussion (online, or in-person)

Join us for a roundtable discussion exploring the vital role that seeds play in food systems, culture, and sovereignty. Speakers will weave together stories, struggles, and strategies from across Ontario, Indigenous territories and global movements including the upcoming Nyéléni Food Sovereignty Forum. From the ground beneath our feet to international efforts for seed justice, this discussion connects diverse voices committed to protecting and reclaiming seeds and our food systems for future generations.

You are welcome to watch the panel in person at Roots Community Food Centre (450 Ft. William Rd, Thunder Bay) or join online! A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants.

Please join us for Angela Ashley's final MA thesis defense. This is a hybrid defense. Should you wish to attend in person it will take place in ATAC 5033.

Title: Adding JoyPopTM: Evaluating an E-Mental Health App as a Complementary Tool Alongside Treatment for Youth

Supervisor: Dr. Aislin Mushquash.

Second Reader: Dr. Erin Pearson

External examiner: Dr. Alison Thompson

GSC Rep: Dr. Beth Visser

Please contact admin.psych@lakeheadu.ca for zoom link and passcode