Scholarship@Western

Chung, Elyssa Yee-Kae, Ms.

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
An Exploration in Artificial Intelligence and Its Effects into Design 
Choice-Making 
Elyssa Yee-Kae Chung Ms. 
Western University, echun24@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Chung, Elyssa Yee-Kae Ms., "An Exploration in Artificial Intelligence and Its Effects into Design Choice-
Making" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity. 752. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/752 
Elyssa Chung | Western University | Inspiring Minds Submission 
An Exploration in Artificial Intelligence and Its Effects into Design Choice-Making 
 
Over the past couple years, Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), Large Language Models and 
Natural Language Processing have made leaps and bounds; contributing to a vast range of 
working fields and improving the quality of life and the democratization of information for 
everyone all around.  Included in these fields are those of user experience designers. 
 
While sectors like project management, health, and art have taken strides to record their work 
processes when incorporating AI, the world of designers remains largely separate from what is 
available and known in academia.  The purpose of this research is to determine the extent AI 
affects people’s confidence in using AI technology during the health app design process and 
also their confidence in their own choices when using AI tech.  Additionally, there is the 
secondary exploration of how AI affects human decision-making and choices with design when 
incorporating the technology into people’s overall design workflows. 


An Exploration in Artificial Intelligence and Its Effects into Design Choice-Making

Li, Shengpei

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Reading Belonging: Identity, Performance, and Representation 
Shengpei Li 
Western University, sli2823@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Li, Shengpei, "Reading Belonging: Identity, Performance, and Representation" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A 
Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 758. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/758 
 
 
The question of identification is never the affirmation of a pre-given identity, but always the 
production of an image of identity and the transformation of the subject. 
—Homi Bhabha, The Location of Culture (1994) 
 
 
 
 
Identity on screen is no longer fixed or singular; it is performed, coded, and reimagined 
in countless ways. After 25 years of cinematic silence—from The Joy Luck Club 
(1993) to Crazy Rich Asians (2018)—Asian visibility on screen is finally rising, 
gradually but meaningfully. But what comes after celebration? What stories are being 
told, and which ones remain untold? To what extent do they affirm or obscure the lived 
complexity? 
I’m drawn to the quiet tension between self-expression, the burden of representation, 
and audience expectation—an ongoing dynamic that shapes the language of identity in 
contemporary Asian American cinema. I am exploring how these tensions both fracture 
and forge the meaning of belonging on screen. 


Reading Belonging: Identity, Performance, and Representation

This video invites viewers to reflect on the hidden links between the world around us and the abstract. It demonstrates how rich structures can emerge from seemingly simple mathematical rules, revealing the hidden complexity of these principles, whilst evoking surprising similarities to the familiar. These range from natural objects, such as the intricate forms of a coral reef or a butterfly\u27s wings, to man-made creations, such as Valencia’s neo-futuristic L\u27Hemisfèric building. These comparisons remind us of the beauty and detail present in both our everyday surroundings and our work as mathematicians, deepening one’s appreciation for the creative potential of mathematics and inspiring us to uncover the mathematics that describes our world

Sendra, Juana

Computational Bohemian Art: From the Real World to the Bohemian World

Ghaseminejad, Shahin

Lee, Ting Yim

Bauman, Glenn

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
A step towards accuracy in prostate cancer therapy 
Shahin Ghaseminejad 
Western University, Sghase5@uwo.ca 
Ting Yim Lee 
The University of Western Ontario, tlee@robarts.ca 
Glenn Bauman 
The University of Western Ontario, gbauman@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Ghaseminejad, Shahin; Lee, Ting Yim; and Bauman, Glenn, "A step towards accuracy in prostate cancer 
therapy" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity. 696. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/696 
While cancer patients' treatments in radiotherapy centers are being done with precise 
calculations and treatment planning, a new era of cancer treatment -using radioactive drugs 
that only targets cancer cells- is using a one-size-fits-all approach for all patients, it is a wild 
west! There is an unmet need in this novel treatment approach for a personalized 
prescription of radioactive drug. In our lab, we look deeply at the cellular level, and use 
Monte Carlo simulations on real patient data, to create a roadmap for a precise treatment 
plan for prostate cancer patients benefiting from this treatment approach. We have 
developed a pipeline that can be used for patients with different characteristics to modulate 
the amount of drug they need. Also, we evaluate different radioactive drugs to find the best 
choice for different scenarios in clinic. This is a step towards personalized calculations in 
this new era of advanced treatments. 
 
Shahin Ghaseminejad 
 
 
 


A step towards accuracy in prostate cancer therapy

Khanmohammadi Hazaveh, Parsa

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Breathing Through Molten Layers – How Oxygen Moves in 
Metalmaking 
Parsa Khanmohammadi Hazaveh 
The university of Western Ontario, pkhanmoh@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Khanmohammadi Hazaveh, Parsa, "Breathing Through Molten Layers – How Oxygen Moves in 
Metalmaking" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship 
and Creative Activity. 728. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/728 
Breathing Through Molten Layers – How Oxygen Moves in Metalmaking 
Parsa Khanmohammadi Hazaveh 
Have you ever wondered how we convert raw materials into usable metals? In high-temperature 
processes such as steelmaking, a hot, liquid layer referred to slag floats on top of the metal and 
helps removing impurities. In addition to being a sink for impurities it carries oxygen. My research 
focused on how oxygen moves through this molten layer, which is essential for controlling the 
quality of the final metal. A computer model was developed to simulate how oxygen travels, 
depending on the chemistry and temperature. The model was tested against experimental results 
for different molten systems. The experimental results showed excellent agreement with the 
simulations. This study helps us make better predictions, improve our processes, and make metal 
production more efficient. 
 
 


Breathing Through Molten Layers – How Oxygen Moves in Metalmaking

Pirani, Dilshad

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
The Strengths Internationally Educated Nurses bring to Canadian 
Healthcare 
Dilshad Pirani 
dpirani@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Pirani, Dilshad, "The Strengths Internationally Educated Nurses bring to Canadian Healthcare" (2025). 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 
738. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/738 
The migration of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) has increased globally to address 
nursing shortages. Canada, projected to need 100,000 more nurses by 2030, relies on IENs to fill 
this gap. Yet, Canada is failing compared to other countries in integrating IENs into the 
workplace. IENs often face deskilling, unmet expectations, and employment barriers, despite 
making up 10% of Canada’s nursing workforce. While invited as skilled professionals, many IENs 
work in roles below their qualifications, experiencing emotional, financial, and social hardships. 
Research has mainly focused on their challenges, framing them from a deficit perspective, with 
limited acknowledgment of their strengths and their contributions to patient care. This study 
addresses that gap by exploring IENs’ strengths and impact on the Canadian healthcare system. 
Highlighting their resilience, support their integration, and inform policy. Understanding IENs’ 
value is essential to building an inclusive workforce and ensuring better health outcomes for a 
diverse Canadian population. 
 


The Strengths Internationally Educated Nurses bring to Canadian Healthcare

Shoghi, Shaghayegh

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Corrosion of copper in the presence of oxy-sulfur species for 
nuclear waste containment applications 
Shaghayegh Shoghi 
sshoghi3@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Shoghi, Shaghayegh, "Corrosion of copper in the presence of oxy-sulfur species for nuclear waste 
containment applications" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, 
Scholarship and Creative Activity. 814. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/814 
Corrosion of copper in the presence of oxy-sulfur species for nuclear waste 
containment applications 
Shaghayegh Shoghi 
Supervisor: Dr. James J. Noël 
Department of Chemistry 
In Canada, copper will be used as a corrosion-resistant layer for containers designed to dispose 
used nuclear fuel in a deep geological repository (DGR) 500 metres underground, about as deep 
as the CN Tower is tall. Initially, there will be some trapped oxygen in the DGR, but it will be used 
over time through processes such as copper corrosion. Once oxygen is consumed, microbes such 
as sulfate-reducing bacteria activate, producing hydrogen sulfide, a chemical that makes rotten 
eggs stink. If hydrogen sulfide encounters residual oxygen in the DGR, it may form corrosive oxy-
sulfur species, such as thiosulfate (S2O3
2-). My research investigates the impacts of thiosulfate on 
the corrosion of copper metal and copper oxides. I use electrochemical and surface analysis 
techniques to understand how damaging thiosulfate could be to copper. This research helps clarify 
the expected behaviour of copper during the transition between oxygenated and oxygen-free 
conditions in a DGR. 
 


Corrosion of copper in the presence of oxy-sulfur species for nuclear waste containment applications

Jones, Rebecca M

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Exploring the Experiences of Breastfeeding Mothers Attending 
Canadian Post-Secondary Education 
Rebecca M. Jones 
Western University, rjone28@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Jones, Rebecca M., "Exploring the Experiences of Breastfeeding Mothers Attending Canadian Post-
Secondary Education" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, 
Scholarship and Creative Activity. 840. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/840 
Rebecca M. Jones, PhD Nursing Student 
Inspiring Minds Submission 
 
Exploring the Experiences of Breastfeeding Mothers Attending Canadian Post-Secondary Education 
Although Canadian women have the right to breastfeed their children anywhere and anytime, 
breastfeeding women attending post-secondary education often experience stigma within educational 
institutions, which can result in negative health outcomes for both the mother and their child. As an ally 
to breast/chest-feeding parents, a strong supporter of informed infant feeding choices, and a proud 
breastfeeding mother myself, I want to explore the experiences of breastfeeding among Canadian post-
secondary students. Uncovering the barriers that breastfeeding mothers face can inform positive post-
secondary level policy change and ensure Canadian post-secondary institutions have necessary support 
services in place for their students. My ultimate goal is to ensure that student parents can pursue an 
academic education while feeling supported to feed their children the way they want – because why 
should mothers have to choose?  
 
 


Exploring the Experiences of Breastfeeding Mothers Attending Canadian Post-Secondary Education

Zhu, Songlin

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Synovial Microvascular Dysfunction 
in Knee Osteoarthritis 
Songlin Zhu 
Western University, szhu86@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Zhu, Songlin, "Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Synovial Microvascular Dysfunction in Knee Osteoarthritis" 
(2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative 
Activity. 845. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/845 
Diffusion tensor imaging of synovial microvascular dysfunction in knee osteoarthritis 
Songlin Zhu1,2,4, Hayden F. Atkinson2,3,4, Matthew G. Teeter2,5,6, Trevor B. Birmingham2,3,4, C. Thomas 
Appleton2,6,7,8 
1School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada. (szhu86@uwo.ca) 2Bone 
and Joint Institute, Western University, London, Canada. 3School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, 
Canada. 4London Health Sciences Centre, London, Canada. 5Department of Medical Biophysics, Western 
University, London, Canada. 6Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western 
University, London, Canada. 7Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western 
University, London, Canada. 8Rheumatology Centre, St Joseph’s Health Care, London, Canada. 
What if we could detect early pathological changes in osteoarthritis (OA)—not in the cartilage, 
but in the tiny blood vessels of the synovium—even before symptoms begin? 
Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) to measure the rate and direction of water diffusion in the 
synovial lining of the knee, we were able to detect pathological changes in the synovial 
microvasculature of patients with mid-to-late-stage knee OA. These findings were confirmed by 
histopathological analysis of synovial biopsies, though the effect was partially masked by tissue 
fibrosis. 
We demonstrate that DTI is a valid, functional imaging tool for the non-invasive assessment of 
synovial microvascular dysfunction in OA, a key transition phase from active inflammation to 
tissue damage. If DTI can capture these early microvascular changes in OA development before 
cartilage damage becomes irreversible or even symptoms arise, it may open the door to earlier 
interventions. 
 
 
Methods
Conclusions
Songlin Zhu1,2,4, Hayden F. Atkinson2,3,4, Matthew G. Teeter2,5,6, Trevor B. Birmingham2,3,4, C. Thomas Appleton2,6,7,8
1School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada. (szhu86@uwo.ca) 2Bone and Joint Institute, Western University, London, Canada. 3School of Physical Therapy, 
Western University, London, Canada. 4London Health Sciences Centre, London, Canada. 5Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Canada. 6Robarts Research Institute, Schulich 
School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada. 7Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada. 8Rheumatology Centre, St 
Joseph’s Health Care, London, Canada.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Synovial Microvascular Dysfunction 
in Knee Osteoarthritis
References
Vascularization with 
Severe Fibrosis
MD vs. Vascular Composite
MD vs. Fibrosis
Why Synovial Microvasculature Matters in 
Osteoarthritis (OA)?
• Maintain joint homeostasis through perfusion and 
oxygen and nutrient delivery1.
• Synovial microvascular dysfunction (MVD) is a 
key feature in synovitis, associated with abnormal 
gait patterns2 and worse pain3 in patients.
• Knowledge Gap: Effusion-synovitis volume on 
MRI does not provide functional insights on 
synovitis or synovial MVD.
Vasculopathy                                Perivascular Edema
(vessel wall thickening)
Synovial Microvascular Dysfunction in Histology
DTI is a valid, functional imaging tool for non-invasive assessment of  
synovial vascularization and MVD in human knee OA. 
Future steps:
• Using DTI to study synovial MVD in early-stage OA and people at risk of 
developing OA.
• Associations between imaging-based assessment of synovial MVD and 
patient-reported and functional outcomes (e.g., pain, gait).
• Patients with knee OA, planning for total knee 
arthroplasty (TKA) or high tibial osteotomy (HTO)
• DTI-MRI scan PRE-surgery
• Fractional anisotropy (FA)
• Mean diffusivity (MD) (mm2/s)
• Synovial biopsies DURING surgery
• Histopathological grading (0: normal, 1: mild, 
2: moderate, 3: severe): synovial lining thickness, 
synovial infiltration, fibrin deposition, 
vascularization, lining erosion, vasculopathy, 
fibrosis and perivascular edema
• Vascular composite score (total 0-9): A sum 
score of vascularization (0-3) + vasculopathy 
(0-3) + perivascular edema (0-3)
TKA                     HTOHistopathological 
grading
Synovial 
Tissue 
Biopsy
• Synovial Mean Diffusivity is associated with 
vascularization and synovial MVD 
(vasculopathy and perivascular edema); 
this relationship is moderated by fibrosis.
β adjusted for sex, age, BMI, KL grade, with MD scaled up by 1000. * indicates p<0.05.
β adjusted for sex, age, BMI, KL grade, with MD scaled up by 1000. 
* indicates p<0.05.
Vascularization vs. Fibrosis
Results
1. J. R. Levick, “Microvascular Architecture and Exchange in Synovial Joints,” Microcirculation, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 
217–233, Sep. 1995, doi: 10.3109/10739689509146768.
2. H. T. Philpott et al., “Synovial tissue perivascular edema is associated with altered gait patterns in patients with 
knee osteoarthritis,” Osteoarthritis Cartilage, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 42–51, Jan. 2022, doi: 
10.1016/j.joca.2021.10.013.
3. H. T. Philpott et al., “Association between synovial tissue damage and pain in late-stage knee osteoarthritis: A 
cross-sectional study,” Osteoarthritis Cartilage, vol. 32, no. 11, pp. 1503–1512, Nov. 2024, doi: 
10.1016/j.joca.2024.06.015.
4. J. Thoenen et al., “Imaging of Synovial Inflammation in Osteoarthritis, From the AJR Special Series on 
Inflammation,” Am. J. Roentgenol., vol. 218, no. 3, pp. 405–417, Mar. 2022, doi: 10.2214/AJR.21.26170.
5. H. J. C. Sandford et al., “Gadolinium-free assessment of synovitis using diffusion tensor imaging.,” NMR Biomed., 
vol. 35, no. 1, p. e4614, 2022, doi: 10.1002/nbm.4614.
6. V. Agarwal et al., “Diffusion tensor anisotropy magnetic resonance imaging: a new tool to assess synovial 
inflammation.,” Rheumatol. Oxf. Engl., vol. 48, no. 4, pp. 378–82, 2009, doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/ken499.
Effusion-
synovitis on 
T1w MRI
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
• Promising in vivo imaging to non-invasively assess 
synovial MVD5,6
• Fractional anisotropy: directional preference of 
water diffusion; range 0-1
• Mean diffusivity (mm2/s): water diffusion rate (how 
fast) or the amount of water diffusion
Aim: To validate DTI as an imaging tool to assess 
synovial MVD using the gold-standard 
histopathology in human knee OA.
Outcome
Predictor
Vascularization Vasculopathy 
Perivascular 
edema
Vascular 
composite
MD unadjusted ρ
(95% confidence 
interval)
0.34 (-0.05 to 
0.64)
0.38 (0.005 to 
0.67)*
0.36 (-0.02 to 
0.65)
0.45 (0.07 to 
0.7)*
MD adjusted β
(95% confidence 
interval)
0.74 (-0.99 to 
2.47)
2.36 (0.44 to 
4.27)*
1.47 (0.11 to 
2.84)*
4.57 (0.96 to 
8.18)*
Outcome
Predictors
Vascularization β (95% 
confidence interval)
P value
MD -2.69 (-0.61 to 0.67) 0.1097
Fibrosis -13.3 (-24.22 to -2.42) 0.0195*
(Fibrosis)2 5.64 (0.84 to 10.44) 0.0239*
MD x Fibrosis 8.09 (1.78 to 14.39) 0.0150*
MD x (Fibrosis)2 -3.36 (-6.03 to -0.68) 0.0170*
Multivariate Linear Regression Between MD and Vascularization
Correlation Between MD and Histopathology of Synovial MVD
D
T
I-
M
R
I 
P
ro
c
e
s
s
in
g
Patient Demographics
• N = 27 (M 16, F 11)
• Age: 67.9 years (min-
max: 30.4-83.6)
• BMI: 28.8 (min-max: 
19.3-57.7)
• KL grade: 2-4
Sagittal                       Frontal            Transverse
Segmentation 
of synovial 
tissue and 
fluid on 
qDESS
FA Map 
Registration
MD Map
Registration
3D Reconstruction
Organized vs. 
Random blood flow
and/or tissue 
structure
Increased vs. 
Reduced blood
flow
Vascularization with 
less fibrosis
PRE-surgery DTI-MRI Scan
• Statistical analysis: 
• Spearman’s correlations between DTI metrics 
(FA, MD) and histological features
• Multiple regression adjusted for age, sex, BMI, 
Kellgren & Lawrence (KL) grade
• Interaction effects tested
• Significance: p < 0.05
Acknowledgement
Background & Aim


Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Synovial Microvascular Dysfunction in Knee Osteoarthritis

Spiller, Manuel

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Risking a bond with nature 
Manuel Spiller 
Western University, mspille6@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Spiller, Manuel, "Risking a bond with nature" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s 
Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 847. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/847 
The human bond with nature runs deep, rooted in theories from biophilia to quantum intraaction, 
yet our modern language often alienates us from it. As we label everything from digital ecosystems 
to political landscapes nature becomes something ‘other’, increasingly abstract and unknown. This 
unfamiliarity breeds fear, and fear leads to avoidance, a cycle that weakens our connection. Unlike 
textbook knowledge, true human-nature connectedness arises through mindful exposure. I 
discovered this while training on the Ottawa River. At first, the rapids were terrifying, but over time, 
fear gave way to respect, and respect to partnership. I learned to read the river’s cues, negotiate 
safe passages, and even playfully flip rafts in sync with its rhythms. That relationship transformed 
not just my skills, but my perception of risk. By allowing for small, manageable risks in designed 
nature spaces like trails, we can invite people into similar relationships, where fear is softened by 
familiarity, and connection grows. 


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