Dementia is a progressive neurological condition that affects memory, thinking, and daily functioning. Global cases are projected to triple by 2050, with Canadian cases expected to rise by nearly 187%, creating increasing pressure on health and community care. Up to 45% of dementia risk is linked to modifiable factors identified by Livingston, including physical inactivity, social isolation, depression, and cognitive inactivity. In this project, digital twins are used to model and simulate dementia progression, longitudinal patterns, and potential treatment responses by integrating multimodal data (e.g., biomarkers, imaging, cognitive assessments, and behavioural patterns) within a web-based platform, supporting the development of adaptive interventions that strengthen cognitive stimulation, physical activity, social engagement, and overall well-being for people living with dementia (PLwD) and their caregivers.

Over 400 Canadians experience the onset of dementia every day. As a nation, we are witnessing exponential growth of the cognitive disorder, with cases expected to almost double from 2025 to 1.7 million by 2050. Accordingly, the consequences on the healthcare system are vast, with caregivers at the core of this impact. This project aims to develop a strategic plan for Ontario’s response to the dementia crisis using a community-based participatory approach to identify key gaps, barriers, and priorities, and to provide actionable guidance for policy, practice, research, and innovation.

The Regional Municipality of Durham seeks to develop and pilot an Emotional Model of Care that aims to transform the way care is provided to residents in Long-Term Care Homes in the region through a cultural change theoretical lens by piloting change ideas from residents, families and staff to improve care and services. It is an anticipated culture shift from a restricted, simultaneous, task-based system of care to an emotional model of care where person-centered care is championed, and individual care needs are prioritized.

Leaders have a key role in shaping work conditions and influencing workforce retention. Long-term care (LTC) work is often characterized by heavy workloads and insufficient resources that can lead to significant moral distress, high job pressures, and increased staff turnover. The goal is to conduct a scoping review of the LTC retention literature, identify psychological health and safety (PHS) priorities for workforce retention, and co-develop a proposed plan to address PHS for workplace retention in LTC.

Dementia is associated with cognitive decline and social isolation in people living with dementia (PLwD), and increased caregiver (CG) burden. Non-pharmacological interventions such as reminiscence therapy support emotional well-being by encouraging active recall of meaningful life experiences in individuals. Building upon this approach, this study explores the use of Virtual Reality (VR) Memory and Conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support reminiscence therapy for PLwD and their caregivers. An immersive, customizable VR environments was designed to stimulate memory recall, while an AI Avater supported conversations through various modes to encourage further memory recall, social connection, and engagement.

Winter 2026

 In 2024, Durham Region conducted a Point-in-Time (PiT) Count to enumerate individuals experiencing homelessness and better understand and support those experiencing it. As part of the process, an enumeration was conducted, and surveys were administered to gather key demographic and experiential data. The goal of this project is to develop and implement a knowledge mobilization plan that ensures the findings from the PiT Count are accessible, understood, and applied by stakeholders, community partners, service providers, policymakers, and the public to inform effective, equitable, and data-driven responses to homelessness in Durham Region.

Winter 2026

The Town of Whitby aims to answer how Whitby’s projected residential and industrial growth will align with existing and planned transit infrastructure. Specifically, the core problem they are addressing is the potential mismatch between Whitby’s rapid growth and the existing transit network. Without proactive planning, new residential neighbourhoods and employment areas risk being underserved, limiting mobility options and creating greater reliance on cars. The goal is to provide data-driven recommendations that support sustainable, smart growth and ensure transit planning keeps pace with community needs.

Winter 2026

Students from Ontario Tech University have wrapped up another impactful partnership through CityStudio Durham and the Region of Durham’s Child Care & Early Year’s Division, aimed at strengthening developmental outcomes for children in Durham Region. Using insights from the Early Development Instrument (EDI), a tool that helps the region track children’s development and readiness for school, student teams collaborated with the early learning and childcare community to create a variety of evidence-based prototypes to support children’s early years.