Leveraging Open Data Analytics and Machine Learning to Improve Mental Health Research & Innovation
The outcomes of the National Inter-University Big Data Challenge — a student-led exploration of how AI and data science can shape better health and social futures.
2024 Inter-University Big Data Challenge
IUBDC offers a rare and highly sought-after opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to use AI and advanced data analytics to conduct hands-on, student-driven research in biomedical sciences and health.
IUBDC™

partners

& sponsors

Program Statistics
First Time Project
IUBDC
4/5
participants completed a research project for the first time
98%
success rate in manuscript publication,
90%
increase in event participants
real-world Skills
IUBDC
9/10
participants gained ML/AI skills and applied them in real-world context
Culminating Events
Western Canada Finals
Calgary, AB, January 31, 2025
University of Calgary Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking
Social Media: The Influencer of Mental Health
Yeonjae Oh, Milanda Luo, Ying Wa Ng
Winners
Winners of Canada’s National Big Data and AI Challenge
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Adrian Stanley
JMIR Publications, General Manager
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member profile image
Anish Verma
STEM Fellowship, Co-Chief Operating Officer
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Shreya Patel
Cloud Solution Architect, Microsoft
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member profile image
Vivek Saahil
Manager – Strategic Business Analysis, Planning & Support, Pratt & Whitney Canada
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Special Guests
Provides expertise and fosters connections with government academia, and industry to guide initiatives.
Edith Dumont
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
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Salma Lakhani
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
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estern Canada Finals
Toronto, ON, January 30, 2025
Microsoft Canadian Headquarters
Exploring the Intersection of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Health Through a Mixed-Method Analysis
Edson Kenzo Takei, Aleeya Irshad, Sidney Liu, Zainab Ansari, Aboud Jalal
Quantifying Childhood Trauma: Causal Machine Learning Approaches to Mental Health Outcomes
Christopher Ewanik, Rehman Tariq, Zaid Ahmed, Abeer Ahmed
Improving Prediction Adherence to Mental Health Treatment Programs Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Priyanka Kothapalli, Keerthana Amalanathan Valarmathi, Sai Kiran Pilli, Shreya Gopikrishnan Nair, Sharath Mohan
Winners
Winners of Canada’s National Big Data and AI Challenge
Exploring the Intersection of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Health Through a Mixed-Method Analysis
Edson Kenzo Takei, Aleeya Irshad, Sidney Liu, Zainab Ansari, Aboud Jalal
Improving Prediction Adherence to Mental Health Treatment Programs Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Priyanka Kothapalli, Keerthana Amalanathan Valarmathi, Sai Kiran Pilli, Shreya Gopikrishnan Nair, Sharath Mohan
member profile image
Adrian Stanley
JMIR Publications, General Manager
LinkedIn Icon
member profile image
Anish Verma
STEM Fellowship, Co-Chief Operating Officer
LinkedIn Icon
member profile image
Shreya Patel
Cloud Solution Architect, Microsoft
LinkedIn Icon
member profile image
Vivek Saahil
Manager – Strategic Business Analysis, Planning & Support, Pratt & Whitney Canada
LinkedIn Icon
Special Guests
Provides expertise and fosters connections with government academia, and industry to guide initiatives.
Edith Dumont
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
LinkedIn Icon
Salma Lakhani
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
LinkedIn Icon
Highlights
Photo & video feedback of the participants
CTVNews | Calgary high school students compete in finals of national AI challenge
Ten teams from across the country competed at the University of Calgary Friday for the 2025 National High School Big Data and AI Challenge Finals, with projects aimed at tackling serious problems including youth suicides, teen drug use, and school shootings.

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Previous Project
IUBDC
2024
Leveraging Open Data Analytics and Machine Learning to Improve Mental Health Research & Innovation
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