Scholarship@Western

Varela-Vega, Alfredo

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Capturing the Genomic Language of Cancer Using Artificial 
Intelligence 
Alfredo Varela-Vega 
The University of Western Ontario, avarelav@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Varela-Vega, Alfredo, "Capturing the Genomic Language of Cancer Using Artificial Intelligence" (2025). 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 
778. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/778 
Capturing the Genomic Language of Cancer Using Ar6ficial Intelligence 
Inspiring Minds 2025 
Alfredo Varela Vega 
 
Isn't it amazing how a chain of symbols can preserve our thoughts for genera<ons to read and 
understand? By learning the basic rules of a language, we can connect words that carry 
meaning, communicate complex ideas, and even pass them on through pen and paper for 
anyone to interpret.  
 
Now, what if I told you that nature has evolved a similar system to store the instruc<ons for 
crea<ng every living organism? This system is called the genome, a biological language wriDen 
in DNA.  
 
I work at the intersec<on of biochemistry and ar<ficial intelligence, using some of the most 
powerful tools that humanity has ever built to learn the hidden rules of this language. My goal 
is to use AI to capture the most meaningful paDerns in the human genome and help us interpret 
the language of cancer. 


Capturing the Genomic Language of Cancer Using Artificial Intelligence

Brocca, Stephanie M

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
An Overlooked Barrier: The Impacts of Specific Learning Disorder 
on Health Management Abilities 
Stephanie M. Brocca 
Western University, sbrocca@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Brocca, Stephanie M., "An Overlooked Barrier: The Impacts of Specific Learning Disorder on Health 
Management Abilities" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, 
Scholarship and Creative Activity. 792. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/792 
Stephanie M. Brocca 
An Overlooked Barrier: The Impacts of Specific Learning 
Disorder on Health Management Abilities 
Specific learning disorder (SLD) is a form of neurodivergence, meaning the brain processes 
information—particularly reading, writing, and mathematics—in ways that oppose societal 
systems. Consequently, various cognitive functions, such as memory, are hindered, creating 
barriers to managing one’s health. This may include difficulty following health information, 
making informed decisions, or taking medications correctly. Left navigating a world not 
designed for them, adults with SLD often report low self-efficacy and mental health issues, 
further deterring health-promoting behaviours. Combined, adults with SLD are at increased risk 
of adverse outcomes, like hospitalizations. Nevertheless, research on this topic is rare. Using a 
survey-based design, I will examine if young adults with SLD possess lower health management 
skills—defined by health literacy, patient activation, and perceived health competence—than 
neurotypical individuals. This research can inform neurodiversity-affirming standards of care, 
thereby improving health outcomes, reducing systemic barriers, and promoting health equity for 
individuals with SLD. 


An Overlooked Barrier: The Impacts of Specific Learning Disorder on Health Management Abilities

Saleh, Sabbir M

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Securing Software Pipelines with AI and Blockchain 
Sabbir M. Saleh 
ssaleh47@uwo.ca 
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Citation of this paper: 
Saleh, Sabbir M., "Securing Software Pipelines with AI and Blockchain" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital 
Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 684. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/684 
Title: Securing Software Pipelines with AI and Blockchain 
Modern software systems rely on automated CI/CD pipelines, which are fast for deployment but 
increasingly vulnerable to security issues. I am developing an intelligent security framework by 
applying hybrid AI models that combine natural language processing and deep learning. This aims 
to examine the pre- and post-deployment logs to detect anomalies, such as leaked credentials, 
unauthorised access, behavioural deviations, etc. To maintain the tamper-evident pipeline 
stages, my research also introduces a blockchain-integrated CI/CD pipeline, which ensures 
traceability, accountability, and integrity. Real-world cyberattack issues, such as those involving 
SolarWinds, Codecov, Travis CI, and more, motivate this security approach. These incidents 
highlight how subtle misconfigurations or unmonitored components can compromise the entire 
software supply chain. My work combines AI-driven threat detection with blockchain-powered 
transparency to secure not only the code but also the whole cloud-based process behind it. The 
goal is to make security adaptive, automated, and trustworthy by design. 


Securing Software Pipelines with AI and Blockchain

Campbell, Kaleigh

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
The Role of Private International Law in the Repatriation of 
Cultural Objects: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path Forward 
Kaleigh Campbell 
Western University, kcamp243@uwo.ca 
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Citation of this paper: 
Campbell, Kaleigh, "The Role of Private International Law in the Repatriation of Cultural Objects: 
Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path Forward" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 695. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/695 
The intangible value of cultural objects, as well as their economic value, renders them 
exceedingly susceptible to looting and theft. The most prolific example remains the systematic 
expropriation of Jewish-owned cultural objects during the Second World. However, the recent 
systematic theft and looting of cultural objects, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine, has 
brought the issue further to the fore. The injustices arising from the illicit theft of cultural objects 
are seldom resolved without legal claims initiated by rightful owners. This doctoral research 
addresses a critical gap in the literature by conducting a multi-jurisdictional comparative analysis 
of private international law rules applied in cases involving cultural objects and whether their 
application facilitates or hinders repatriation. It then engages in the broader scholarly debate 
surrounding the nature of private international law and whether its rules should be modified to 
achieve certain substantive outcomes, such as the repatriation of cultural objects. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


The Role of Private International Law in the Repatriation of Cultural Objects: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path Forward

AMINJAFARI, FATEMEH

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Turning Plastic into a Conductor: A Graphene-Based Approach 
FATEMEH AMINJAFARI 
faminjaf@uwo.ca 
FATEMEH AMINJAFARI 
Western University, faminjaf@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
AMINJAFARI, FATEMEH and AMINJAFARI, FATEMEH, "Turning Plastic into a Conductor: A Graphene-
Based Approach" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, 
Scholarship and Creative Activity. 699. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/699 
Turning Plastic into a Conductor: A Graphene-Based Approach 
 
Plastics like polypropylene are lightweight, cheap, and easy to process—but inherently 
insulating. In my Master’s research, I challenge this limitation by reinforcing polypropylene with 
a small amount of graphene, a two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial with remarkable electrical 
and mechanical properties. Using twin-screw extrusion, I fabricate graphene/polypropylene 
composites and explore how processing conditions—such as screw speed and filler 
concentration—affect the final structure and performance. Through SEM, Raman, and TGA 
analyses, I investigate the dispersion of graphene and how it influences conductivity and thermal 
stability. 
The ultimate goal is to develop cost-effective, conductive thermoplastics that can replace metal-
based components in industries such as automotive or electronics, where lighter materials reduce 
energy consumption and improve efficiency. 
My work contributes to a future where everyday plastics are not just passive containers—but 
smart, functional materials that serve multiple roles in advanced engineering systems. 


Turning Plastic into a Conductor: A Graphene-Based Approach

Thiyagaratnam, Earlel

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Regulatory Gaps in AI-Driven Healthcare: Strengthening Privacy, 
Consent, and Accountability in Canada 
Earlel Thiyagaratnam 
ETHIYAGA@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Thiyagaratnam, Earlel, "Regulatory Gaps in AI-Driven Healthcare: Strengthening Privacy, Consent, and 
Accountability in Canada" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, 
Scholarship and Creative Activity. 719. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/719 
My study explores the challenges Canada faces in regulating artificial intelligence (AI) in 
healthcare. Current laws, like the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), were 
created before AI became common and struggle to address issues such as unfair biases in AI 
decisions, risks to patient data, and unclear accountability when AI systems make mistakes. By 
analyzing legal cases such as C. J. v M. W., 2020 CanLII 57706 (ON HPARB), the research 
highlights gaps in protecting privacy, ensuring informed consent, and assigning responsibility for 
errors. The study suggests updating regulations by learning from other countries’ approaches and 
considering the social and economic impacts of AI. It calls for new rules that support innovation 
while safeguarding patient rights, public safety, and fairness. The goal is to create a flexible 
governance system that keeps pace with technology, ensuring ethical and trustworthy AI use in 
Canadian healthcare.  
 
 


Regulatory Gaps in AI-Driven Healthcare: Strengthening Privacy, Consent, and Accountability in Canada

Hobbs, Kevin

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Magnificent Chaos: Studies in the Way Performance Pedagogy 
Helps Develop Professional Identity 
Kevin Hobbs 
khobbs4@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Hobbs, Kevin, "Magnificent Chaos: Studies in the Way Performance Pedagogy Helps Develop Professional 
Identity" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity. 720. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/720 
 
How did we get to be the kind of professional we are, and how are we going to continue our 
journey? My research examines Professional Identity Formation (PIF), focusing on how 
medical students begin to see/imagine themselves as future doctors. Using roleplay and 
drama techniques from the Playbuilding Methodology, participating medical students 
worked together to develop and perform theatre scenes, and in the process shared stories 
and ideas about their evolution from unbecoming to becoming. In a workshop forum, over 
a series of Saturday afternoons, the participants engaged each other as both teachers and 
learners. Each participant created and – through performance – embodied a personal 
curriculum for themselves. Through reflection, dialogue and action they rehearsed 
themselves into a new way of thinking and being, taking early steps to creating a 
professional identity. The research uses a pedagogy of disruption that can be both “safe”, 
“fun”, sometimes chaotic, and transformative. 


Magnificent Chaos: Studies in the Way Performance Pedagogy Helps Develop Professional Identity

Silber, Robert

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Plastic pellet distribution on beaches across the Great Lakes 
Robert Silber 
rsilber3@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Silber, Robert, "Plastic pellet distribution on beaches across the Great Lakes" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A 
Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 743. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/743 
Tiny plastic pellets—called nurdles—wash up daily along the shores of the Great Lakes. 
These pellets, used in industrial manufacturing, are an often overlooked but widespread 
form of pollution. My research focuses on analyzing how the abundance and distribution of 
these pellets have changed over time by visiting shorelines and quantifying them. By 
documenting patterns in pellet accumulation, I aim to better understand long-term trends 
and identify potential sources of pollution. This baseline monitoring is essential for 
developing targeted cleanup strategies, informing policy decisions, and ultimately holding 
polluting industries accountable. The Great Lakes are a vital freshwater resource for 
millions of people, and I’m motivated by a strong commitment to environmental protection 
and the health of aquatic ecosystems. Through this work, I hope to contribute meaningful 
data that supports scientific understanding and public awareness of how plastic pollution 
evolves and continues to affect these critical water systems. 
 


Plastic pellet distribution on beaches across the Great Lakes

Jamil, Uzair

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Farms That Power the Future 
Uzair Jamil 
ujamil@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Jamil, Uzair, "Farms That Power the Future" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s 
Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 746. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/746 
Title: Farms That Power the Future 
What if we could grow crops and produce clean electricity on the same land? My research explores 
agrivoltaics—a system that combines solar panels with farming. I was drawn to this work by a desire 
to help solve two major challenges: climate change and food security. Using maps, computer 
models, and real-world experiments (like growing strawberries under solar panels!), I found that 
agrivoltaics can boost crop yields, lower food prices, and generate huge amounts of clean energy—
enough to power most of Canada using just a tiny fraction of farmland. I also looked at public 
attitudes and found that people support this idea once they understand its benefits. My work shows 
that we don’t need to choose between farming and clean energy—we can do both, and do them 
better together. 


Farms That Power the Future

Sakariyahu, Solihu K

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Plant specialized metabolites can help ruminant animals stay 
healthy 
Solihu K. Sakariyahu 
Western University, ssakariy@uwo.ca 
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Citation of this paper: 
Sakariyahu, Solihu K., "Plant specialized metabolites can help ruminant animals stay healthy" (2025). 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 
782. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/782 
Plant specialized metabolites can help ruminant animals stay healthy 
Livestock farmers face two significant challenges with grazing animals: gastrointestinal parasites 
and pasture bloating. But what if animals could eat their way to better health naturally? A forage 
crop called birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) might be the answer! This temperate legume produces 
compounds called proanthocyanidins, which prevent bloating and parasitic nematode burdens in 
sheep and cattle. Here is the problem: most high-quality forage crops, including alfalfa, do not 
make these compounds in their shoots. My research studies how BFT can synthesize these 
compounds, while alfalfa cannot. Therefore, my research goal is to investigate how 
environmental conditions, such as heat and drought, affect the biosynthesis of proanthocyanidins 
and identify the genetic bottleneck that prevents alfalfa from producing these valuable 
compounds in the shoots. Understanding and modifying these genes would lead to bloat-resistant 
alfalfa or the development of natural anti-parasite forage, thereby reducing the need for synthetic 
drugs while lowering animals’ methane emissions. 


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