2010 Honourees Announced
2010-09-14
Return to News Listing
ASTech Awards shine spotlight on Alberta’s best in science and technology
(Calgary, September 15, 2010) The Alberta Science and Technology Leadership Foundation announces 36 outstanding ASTech honourees to be recognized at the 2010 ASTech Awards Gala slated for November 12th at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton. The honourees represent the province’s brightest minds and most innovative enterprises, demonstrating the abundance of outstanding activity occurring in Alberta’s science and technology community and come from four key strategic areas: bio sciences, energy and environment,health solutions and technology futures
“ASTech is committed to inspiring the next generation of innovation helping Alberta develop high tech products and services for a world audience,” says Martin Kratz, Chair of the ASTech Foundation.
Health Solutions
Alberta's robust health research environment attracts top health care researchers, practitioners and innovators that include seven of the ASTech honourees. Our leading discoveries are enhancing care and practice in areas such as cardiovascular health, brain development, diabetes, biomedical technologies, infectious diseases, and bone and joint health. Alberta's long-standing investment in health research excellence is set to have a greater impact than ever, through strengthened research and technology collaboration. These collaborations focus on creating new knowledge and catalyzing ground-breaking discoveries that result in new tools, processes, and technologies for improving health and well-being.
Bio Sciences
Alberta's leadership in agriculture, forestry and life sciences research and technology has grown up from the province’s innovative spirit and unparalleled access to tremendous renewable bio-resources. Today, organizations and individuals such as the seven ASTech honourees from this area are delivering on this potential in domains such as sustainable production, bio-refining, composite materials, value-added food and health products, and nano-enabled materials. Alberta continues to strengthen our ability to develop new sustainability practices, new natural products for world markets and economic opportunities attracting international investment.
Energy and Environment
As global leaders in technology and research on oil sands and heavy oil, ten of the ASTech honourees are at the forefront of technologies such as gasification, upgrading, carbon capture and storage, advanced recovery, water use, tailings management and alternative energy. This unique world expertise has fostered Alberta's commitment to the "science of solutions" related to all areas of energy and the environment. As a result, our researchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses are setting global standards for reducing environmental impacts and supporting the development of greener communities.
Technology
Alberta understands business. Businesses and investors know the importance of ideas, people and relationships. They need good working partnerships and support to quickly translate research into meaningful products, processes and services - all in an environment of open innovation. Alberta is the place that fosters and integrates all of these vital elements. Twelve of the 2010 ASTech honourees have demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial achievement in technology related businesses that range from producing educational TV shows and websites to genomics and iPhone applications.
Momentum for the 21st annual ASTech Gala continues to build. Each year hundreds of scientific leaders from across the province attend this black-tie event regarded as the academy awards of Alberta’s science and technology community. Winners of the 2010 ASTech Awards will be selected from this group of 36 honourees.
For more information on the ASTech awards, please contact:
Ms. Bev Jones,
Executive Director, ASTech Foundation
T. 403-220-9130
E. info@astech.ca
36 ASTech honourees have been selected representing four strategic areas: health solutions, bio sciences, energy and environment, technology futures.
BIO SCIENCES
Dr. Lloyd Dosdall
Dr. Dosdall is a professor at the University of Alberta and an internationally recognized entomologist who has developed and released new canola germplasm that is available to agribusiness and farmers and proven to have resistance to infestation.
“Dr. Dosdall’s work in developing genetic resistance and management strategies for the three most significant insect pests in canola, has saved canola growers millions of dollars.”
– Ward Toma, Alberta Canola Producers Commission
Dr. Tim McAllister
Dr. McAllister leads a diverse research team at the Lethbridge Research Centre that focuses on ruminant nutrition/microbiology and molecular biology. His innovations in the areas of animal health, environmental health and food quality have led the development of economically and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices for Alberta and the world.
“The importance of Dr. McAllister’s support to the cattle industry during the BSE crisis cannot be overstated.”
– Dennis Laycraft, Executive Vice President, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
Dr. Ross H. McKenzie
Dr. McKenzie, a research scientist at Alberta Agriculture, is well respected for his work involving plant nutrients, long-run soil degradation, environmentally sustainable cropping practices, and irrigation response measures. His work, often challenging conventional practices, has had great positive impact on agricultural production in Alberta.
“Dr. McKenzie is involved in crop tours, workshops, conferences, and at academic institutions – a clear indication he considers the transference of scientific knowledge an essential complement to its discovery.”
– Allan Walburger, Professor of Economics, Brigham Young University
Mountain Pine Beetle Research Project
Alberta Newsprint Company and its partners have developed and implemented technologies to overcome the impact of mountain pine beetle on the manufacturing of newsprint. These measurement and production technologies help preserve good forest stewardship, protect Alberta’s and Canada’s forests, and help ensure the viability of many forestry-dependent communities by recovering value from insect attacked forests.
“What sets Alberta Newsprint Company apart from their competitors is their corporate commitment to innovate and to invest in technology to improve efficiency, quality and profitability.”
– Walter Cool, Industrial Technology Advisor, National Research Council of Canada
Oriented Structural Straw Board
Oriented Structural Straw Board (OSSB) technology converts wheat straw into structural building panels –adding value to agricultural waste, creating building materials that are more environmentally-friendly than concrete and bricks, and offer higher earthquake-resistance in geologically unstable parts of China.
“It is a rare occasion when we witness a technical innovation that addresses a basic human need, profoundly improves the living conditions of millions of people, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and protects the environment on a large scale.”
– Axel Meisen, Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures
Rhodiola Rosea Commercialization Project
The Rhodiola Rosea Commercialization Project created a successful “field to medicine cabinet” model for the rapid development of a natural health product industry in Alberta.
“Dr. Lutz’s core team utilized the scientific, regulatory, and marketing expertise within Alberta to achieve the goals of supplying the global market with high quality, safe, efficacious, Alberta-grown Rhodiola rosea products.”
– James Calpas, Alberta Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Dr. David Wishart
A professor at the University of Alberta, Dr. Wishart’s pioneering work in the emerging field of metabolomics has resulted in a core facility that is able to perform rapid metabolite profiling of a wider range of biological materials (from foods to animal tissues and human samples) than any other facility in North America.
“Dr. Wishart’s work will fundamentally change and improve the way medicine is administered and open the door to other exciting and important breakthroughs.”
– Russ Greiner, Professor, Computing Science, University of Alberta
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Dr. Gopal Achari and Dr. Cooper Langford
Dr. Achari and Dr. Langford of the University of Calgary have developed an innovative technology for the remediation of PCB-contaminated soils.
“This technology represents a complete system for the remediation of PCB-contaminated soils, a cradle-to-grave approach.”
– Robert Phernambucq, Environmental Engineer at TransCanada Pipelines
Dr. Viola Birss
A professor at the University of Calgary, Dr. Birss has a distinguished record of scientific achievement, most notably in the area of fuel cells and the development of new materials resistant to coking and degradation by sulfur.
“Dr. Birss is a world-class researcher in electrochemistry and the fuel cell sector and has contributed immensely in moving the technology closer to commercial success.”
– Dr. Martin Kirk, Director, UBC Office of Research Services
Dr. John Chen
University of Calgary professor Dr. Chen is known around the world for his innovative concepts and approaches to research into oil and gas reservoir engineering and simulation.
“It is not just the foundations of scientific modeling that Dr. Chen is expert at, but also the development of relationships in the science, energy and technology sectors.”
– Randy Goebel, Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures
Dr. Phillip Fedorak and Dr. Julia Foght
Professors at the University of Alberta, Dr. Fedorak and Dr. Foght have made many unique contributions to fundamental research, advancing the knowledge of microbial processes in oil sands tailings.
“Their research is highly relevant given the industry will be undertaking major terrestrial and aquatic reclamation projects in the upcoming years.”
– Alan Fair, Manager, Research and Development, Syncrude Canada
Warren Heisler - Exhaust Gas Recovery System
The Exhaust Gas Recovery System allows for 99.9% of the waste gas that has been vented to the atmosphere to now be recovered and used for fuel gas or be sold to create revenue for the natural gas property.
“The Exhaust Gas Recovery System lowers the operational costs of wells and recovered gas can be converted into Greenhouse Gas Credits.”
– Barrett Roesch, Noralta Technologies
Alberta Oil
Alberta Oil provides unique insights into the real-world policies and practices that are defining Canada as a “quiet energy superpower.” The magazine has a total print readership of more than 84,400 senior decision-makers with an additional reach of more than 168,000 visitors annually to the website.
“I find both the magazine’s design and its informative content a refreshing departure from the status quo.”
– D’Arcy Levesque, Vice President, Public & Government Affairs, Enbridge
Dr. Arturo Sanchez-Azofeifa and Enviro-Net
Enviro-Net is a breakthrough innovation developed by Professor Arturo Sanchez-Azofeifa at University of Alberta for using ground-based wireless sensor networks for continuous observations of ecosystems. Researchers around the world now have access to a vast amount of previously inaccessible environmental information that relates to the impacts of climate change in subarctic, boreal and tropical environments.
“Dr. Sanchez’s career and contributions in the Geomatics and remote sensing field have produced some very significant technologies and applications that are critical to evaluating the wellness of earth’s environment.”
– Eric Kokko, President and CEO, Alberta Terrestrial Imaging Center
Dr. P.V. Jampana and Dr. S.L Shah
This collaborative research project between Suncor Energy, The University of Alberta, Matrikon, and iCORE is concerned with the development of a novel, non-intrusive and reliable sensor for interface detection in separation cells.
“The interface sensor has been a game-changer for Suncor’s operation and has been running successfully for over two years.”
– Craig Strand, Director, Extraction Process Engineering, Suncor Energy
Dr. Daniel W. Smith
University of Alberta Professor Emeritus Daniel Smith is recognized as one of Canada’s pre-eminent environmental engineering researchers and as an internationally acknowledged authority on water treatment and cold-regions research.
“Dr. Smith’s outstanding accomplishments demonstrate how applied research conducted from a base in Alberta can have widespread applications in improving public health and environmental well-being within this province and far beyond its borders.”
– Professor Miodrag Belosevic, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
Tailings Reduction Operations Team
Suncor’s newly developed Tailings Reduction Operations (TRO) technology will reduce the reclamation time of its oil sands tailings ponds in northern Alberta by at least 30 years.
“Thanks to the team’s multi-functional expertise, leadership, and tireless dedication, Suncor is in a position to implement TRO this year as part of our effort to reduce the environmental impact of our oil sands tailings ponds.”
– Shelley Powell, Vice President, Extraction, Suncor Energy
HEALTH SOLUTIONS
Dr. Robert Burrell
With his invention of the Acticoat™ technology, Dr. Burrell of the University of Alberta has revolutionized wound care and saved the lives and limbs of thousands of patients around the world.
“I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that the translation of Dr. Burrell’s research and development on nanocrystalline silver coatings is as important to prevention and treatment of infectious diseases as the discovery and development of penicillin was in the 1940s.”
– Dr. Gregory Schultz, Professor, College of Medicine, University of Florida
Calgary Scientific
Using patented server-side technology first developed for Calgary Scientific’s ResolutionMD solutions, PureWeb® enables current and legacy software applications to run online without requiring client software to be installed, upgraded or tracked, thereby simplifying IT management.
“ResolutionMD allows Mayo Clinic neurologists to review the brain scans of our patients even when they are located hundreds or thousands of miles away.”
– Dr. Bart Demaerschalk, Director, Cerebrovascular Disease Center, Mayo Clinic
Dr. Peter J. Gill
Peter Gill is a Joint MD/PhD student at the University of Alberta, and a 2009 recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford. His career aspirations are to be an Alberta-based pediatrician, clinical scientist and medical educator while continuing to advocate for children and the medical profession. Peter truly represents the exciting future for science and technology in Alberta.
“Peter is an outstanding medical student and human being. His brilliance, passion, and commitment will see him do great things in his life.”
– Dr. Melanie Lewis, Department of Paediatrics, University of Alberta
Dr. Ross Mitchell
Technology developed by his laboratory at the University of Calgary, and commercialized by Calgary Scientific, has been developed to improve the speed and accuracy of disease diagnosis. It allows advanced interactive visualization of remote datasets using an ordinary web browser or smart phone.
“The progress emerging from Dr. Mitchell’s lab has been fun to be a part of, astounding to watch, and wonderful to see.”
– Dr. Michael D. Hill, Calgary Stroke Program
Dr. Bernard Thebaud
Dr. Thebaud is an internationally recognized clinician-scientist at the University of Alberta whose ground breaking discoveries on stem cells to repair lung damage will revolutionize the way lung diseases are treated in the near future.
“Dr. Thebaud has made important contributions and advancements to the area of neonatal research. He is a key figure in the field of newborn lung biology.”
– Dr. Stella Kourembanas, Harvard Medical School
Dr. John Vederas
Professor John Vederas from the University of Alberta is an internationally recognized leader in the fields of bioorganic and medicinal chemistry. Applications developed from his research range from cholesterol-lowering drugs and natural food preservatives to medicines for combating viral infections and preventing premature births. His work has helped to improve countless lives in Alberta and around the world.
“Dr. Vederas is an internationally recognized leader at the interface of chemistry and biology. He has always mixed a strong flair for innovation and new methodology with the highest standards of experimental rigor and intellectual proof.” – Dr. Christopher Walsh, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Gerald W. Zamponi
University of Calgary professor Gerald Zamponi is regarded as one of the world’s leading researchers on the molecular neurophysiology of calcium channels and his ground breaking research programs have resulted in numerous contributions to both the basic and biomedical fields.
“Dr. Zamponi has been able to consistently push new scientific boundaries by his rapid adoption of new methodolgies and applying these to the neuroscience arena.”
– Brian MacVicar, Professor, University of British Columbia
TECHNOLOGY FUTURES
John Acorn
In the course of his rich and multi-faceted 30-year career as educator, journalist, author, television host, photographer, naturalist and scientist, John Acorn has inspired hundreds of thousands of curious minds to explore science. He created and hosted Acorn the Nature Nut, a popular television series and he is a prolific author of books about nature,palaeontology and bird- and insect-specific field guides.
“John has made major contributions to increasing public awareness and enhancing the understanding of the benefits of science and technology.”
– Andrew Neuman, Executive Director, Royal Tyrrell Museum
Dr. Lucio Gelmini
A chemistry instructor at Grant MacEwan University, Dr. Gelmini is passionate about increasing public awareness and understanding of science and speaks to thousands of children every year during his “MacEwan Roadshow” presentations.
“I really enjoyed you coming to our class and doing all the science demonstrations. They were awesome! You inspired me to be a scientist when I grow up and maybe be in your class.”
– Steven, Student at Evansdale School
Iron Science Teacher
Iron Science Teacher is a Canada-wide challenge to encourage innovation in science education. The challenge seeks the most creative (not to mention courageous and entertaining) science teachers in the country to champion the fascination of science and engineering.
“Iron Science Teacher is one of those projects with a core integrity that shines on every facet –– as a spotlight on teachers, as an inspiration to teachers and students alike, as a strategy that enhances the fabric of innovation in communities across the country, and most of all in Alberta.”
– Dennis Sumara, Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Calgary
Science in Seconds
Science in Seconds is a multi-faceted, on-line video and blog series that fuses scientific news with dazzling visuals, passion, humour and accuracy. Science education is made pleasurable and engaging while presented on new media platforms that today’s students know so well.
“In the classroom, the short videos and blogs are a springboard for class discussion, and the format allows the students to extend their curiosity and be part of an authentic online discourse with scientists in their community.”
– Jennifer Foster, Progressive Academy
Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick
Throughout his career at the University of Lethbridge, Dr. Fitzpatrick has worked tirelessly to raise public awareness, foster the growth of Alberta’s science and technology community and serve as an ambassador for both the university and the province.
“Dr. Fitzpatrick’s efforts in the areas of genomics, integrated resource management, neurosciences, water and commercialization of intellectual property are noteworthy and have had a significant impact throughout Alberta.”
– Tracy Sletto, Acting Director, General Operations, Alberta; Western Economic Diversification Canada
Stephen Lougheed
Stephen Lougheed has been a leader in Alberta’s Science and Technology community for over 30 years both as a distinguished volunteer in the public sector and a senior executive in the private sector. He is currently Executive Chairman of Multiplied Media Corporation and Vice-Chair of Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures.
“I have never worked with anyone with more enthusiasm, and a steadfast dedication and passion for the success of the Alberta science and technology community.”
– Marvin Fritzler, Chair, Alberta Research and Innovation Authority
Professor Pierre Boulanger
A professor at the University of Alberta, Dr. Pierre Boulanger is a world-renowned expert in 3D sensing, industrial dimensional inspection, mechanical reverse engineering and visualization.
“Professor Boulanger is an extremely dedicated and energetic scientist and engineer. This is demonstrated in his substantial annual list of publications, the large number of graduate students he mentors, his track record in attracting research funding, and the global scope of his collaborations.”
– Mike MacGregor, Department Chair, Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta
Iunctus Geomatics Corp.
The Iunctus team has demonstrated innovation in geospatial technology by creating leading remote sensing products and solutions that make earth observation data more accessible and usable thereby enabling their clients to make fast, accurate and informed decisions.
“I was impressed with Ryan Johnson’s passion for taking innovation to the marketplace and even more impressed with his commitment to make things happen in Alberta.”
–Dennis Fitzpatrick, Professor, University of Lethbridge
Motive Industries Inc.
Using advanced composite materials and proprietary manufacturing technologies, Motive Industries is able to design and engineer products that dramatically outperform traditionally constructed products in both performance and cost.
“Nathan Armstrong has many personal and business accomplishments but the most valuable asset he has brought to Alberta is his ability to inspire people to work together to accomplish things they could never accomplish on their own.”
– James Klassen, President, Concept Solutions
Multiplied Media Corporation
Multiplied Media’s “Poynt” is one of the most downloaded mobile applications that allow users throughout North America and western Europe to find local businesses, restaurants and movie information, and then do more with that information.
“Many industry professionals are surprised to learn that a company that fits the profile of a Silicon Valley Company, is actually based in Calgary.”
– Randy Goebel, Professor, Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta
Dr. David Naylor
Over the past three decades, Dr. Naylor has been developing a world-class research program at the University of Lethbridge in the design, construction and use of Fourier Transform Spectrometers (FTS) now being selected by NASA and other leading space agencies.
“Dr. Naylor has made a tremendous contribution to science through creativity, innovation and excellence in the development of new instrumentation that is continuing to advance our capacity to explore the universe.”
– Russ Taylor, Professor of Astronomy, University of Calgary
Wedge Networks
Wedge Networks provides high performance network based web security solutions to enterprises and service providers worldwide. The Wedge Networks SubSonic engine is capable of scanning for security threats at speeds up to 10 times faster than conventional solutions, resulting in higher security without lowered performance.
“Wedge Networks’ SubSonic engine is a paradigm changing innovation to how malware is fought.”
– Husam Kinawi, Co-founder and Chief Scientist, Wedge Networks