Student Research & Innovation Showcase

Over two mornings in May 2026, eight student researchers, builders, and changemakers from across the globe presented work that started as a question — and became something real.

From ocean conservation to menstrual health, homelessness to sports medicine, visual literacy to generosity at checkout, every project carried the same spirit: curiosity, care, and the courage to act.

Xinlin Lyu — Shark Bycatch Mortality in Commercial Longline Fishery A research deep-dive into the key drivers of shark mortality in commercial fisheries, proposing conservation strategies to reduce bycatch and protect marine ecosystems.

Marcus Lau — No Place to Call Home A self-directed documentary raising awareness about homelessness in Ontario, featuring interviews with members of parliament, university researchers, and people with lived experience.

Claire Wei — PainMap An AI-assisted sports injury screening framework designed for teenage basketball athletes — built to bridge the gap for the millions of young athletes without access to athletic trainers.

Victor Wen — TOPSOJ A nonprofit math contest platform now reaching 120 countries and 12,000 monthly active users, with a partnership with 3Blue1Brown and two yearly original competitions.

Scarlett Lu — Period Unlimited A nonprofit tackling menstrual health stigma through social media campaigns, investigative writing, and real-world events — because periods are a biological reality, not a taboo.

Mikaela Vernick — Design to Smile A student-led initiative turning everyday checkout moments into acts of generosity, with a replicable open-source toolkit any student anywhere can use to run their own campaign.

Tim Chen — Youth Lens Initiative Free photography workshops for under-resourced students aged 10–14, paired with a permanent digital archive and public exhibition — giving young people a lens, a voice, and an audience.