TICAN: Industry Partners and Proposed Projects
We are currently recruiting graduate students and postdoctoral scholars based on the portfolio of proposed industry research projects listed below. These opportunities are subject to final funding approval and may be refined as industry partners finalize project scopes and research priorities. In some cases, project objectives will be further developed through collaboration between the successful applicant and the industry partner to ensure alignment with organizational needs and academic goals.
Applicants will be considered for available placements as projects are confirmed.
As an applicant, please indicate your preferred project(s) in your cover letter. Please note that you may also be considered for other placement opportunities that align with your skills, experience, academic background and research interests.
Biophi
Biophi is a horticulture innovation hub based in Leamington, Ontario focused on applied plant science and pathology diagnostics.
Project: To be determined.
Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CANZA)
The Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CANZA) is a multi-stakeholder alliance dedicated to accelerating sustainable, climate-smart agriculture across Canada. They are headquartered in Toronto.
Projects:
- Soil spectroscopy commercialization project: How can farmers independently use digital measurement and verification tools to assess on-farm outcomes, and what value do interconnected agricultural technology networks create for producers, investors, and supply chain participants?
- The Role of AI integrations in agricultural program delivery: How can AI integrations improve efficiency and scalability in agricultural program delivery without reducing accessibility for low-tech farmers?
- Program stacking: How can agricultural and environmental programs in Ontario be integrated into a unified marketplace platform that supports program stacking while maintaining regulatory compliance and outcome integrity?
Farm Credit Canada
Farm Credit Canada is dedicated to supporting financial and business needs of Canadian farmers, agribusinesses, and the food industry. They are based in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Projects:
- Managing data sets for Ag Expert software.
- Training AI (large language model) to support farmers in Canada.
Genuine Taste
Genuine Taste is a Toronto-based biotechnology and cell agriculture startup, specializing in cultivating animal fat to improve the taste, aroma, and texture of alternative meat and plant-based protein products.
Project:
Evaluate the environmental and economic viability of large-scale cultivated fat production, including its greenhouse gas reduction potential, production costs and supply chain challenges. The findings will help guide scalable manufacturing and inform the future sustainability of cellular agriculture.
Growcer
Growcer is an Ottawa-based agri-tech company that manufactures modular, container-based hydroponic vertical farms.
Project: To be determined.
Maia Farms
Maia Farms is a Vancouver-based biotechnology and food-tech company that produces highly sustainable, protein-rich food ingredients derived from mushroom mycelium.
Projects:
- High-Throughput Metabologenomics of Filamentous Fungi in Submerged Liquid Fermentation for AI-Driven Metabolite Discovery
- Integrated Multi-Omic Profiling of Fungal Strains: Linking Genomics, Proteomics, and Epigenetics to Metabolite Expression Across Diverse Feedstocks
- Flavour Genomics and Functional Gastronomy: Mapping Fungal Strain-Level Genetic Determinants to Ingredient Performance and Sensory Profiles
Semex
Semex is a global agricultural genetics company specializing in bovine artificial insemination and embryo technologies. Headquartered in Guelph, Ontario.
Projects:
- Using machine learning and AI to automate processes.
- Advancing reproductive technology.
- Field data analysis and experimental design.
- Andrology and semen biomarkers.
YEX Bio
YEX Bio is a Toronto-based biotechnology company focused on developing cost-effective, humane cell culture media supplements.
Project: Evaluate YEX™ as a potential drop-in alternative to conventional media by assessing its impacts on viral yield, mutation stability, infectivity and vaccine efficacy, while also developing the quality assurance and quality control protocols needed to validate its use in commercial vaccine production.