ASTech Awards Gala Winner’s Gallery

34th Annual ASTech Awards Winners 2023

Award: Aerospace Innovation

Winner: Dr. Yang Gao, University of Calgary

Presenter: Roger Haessel, Advisor – RPAS Strategy,  APEX (Regional Innovation Network of Medicine Hat)

Award: Hydrogen and Alternative Energies

Winner: Exro Technologies

Presenter: Chris MacLeod, Vice President, Global Marketing & Communications, Edmonton Global

Award: Construction / Smart Cities / Transportation

Winner: Levven Electronics Inc., James Keirstead

Presenter: Alicia Cafferata, Industrial Applied Research Specialist at Red Deer Polytechnic (and CARIN (Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network Co-Lead)

Award: Community Initiatives

Winner: NeurAlbertaTech

Presenter: Crys Vanier – Executive Director, Post-Secondary Investments & Emerging Technology, Alberta Innovates

Award: Medical / Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals

Winner: Dr. Elise Fear, University of Calgary (Note: Award accepted by Colleague)

Presenter: Jesse Monck, Director – Alberta Blue Cross

Award: Agriculture / Agrifood Innovation

Winner: Livestock Gentec – Graham Plastow, John Basarab 

Presenter: Lorna Baird- Manager, Entrepreneurship & Innovation – Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, and co-lead CARIN (Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network)

Award: Environment / Water / Air Innovation

Winner: Excir – Hiwa Salimi, Loghman Moradi, Pat Derkacz, Aaron Logan

Presenter: Professor Jeffrey Priest , University of Calgary

Award: Environmental Applications in Energy 

Winner: Kathairos Solutions – Dick Brown

Presenter: Mal Carroll, Manager of Research and Development – Syncrude Research

Award: Energy / Cleantech Innovation

Winner: Applied Quantum Materials Inc., Dr. Jonathan Veinot

Presenter: Justin Reimer, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)

In photo: Dr. David C. Bressler, Associate Dean, University of Alberta

Award: Sustainability Solutions / Approaches

Winner: Vivian Manasc, Reimagine Architects

Presenter: Peter Fenwick, Director, Mount Royal – Catalyst Growth Program 

Award: Digital (General)

Winner: Rafiq Ahmad, University of Alberta

Presenter: Rainer Iraschko, Principal Technology Architect, TELUS

Award: AI/ML Advancement

Winner: Dr. Hadis Karimipour, University of Calgary

Presenter: Rollie Dykstra, Executive Vice President, Impact, Alberta Innovates

Award: AI/ML Application

Winners: Willowglen Systems – Wayne Karpoff, Suncor – Gordon Meyer, NTWIST – Chowdary Meenavilli

Presenter: Rollie Dykstra, Executive Vice President, Impact, Alberta Innovates

Award: Social Innovation/Educational Technologies

Winner: Robogarden Inc., Mohamed Elhabiby

Presenter: Dr. Stephen Larter, Associate Vice-President (Research & Innovation), University of Calgary

Award: Excellence in Furthering Inclusive Communities

Winner: Ling Huang, Technology North Corporation

Presenter: Dr. Lisa Carter, Faculty of Science and Technology, Athabasca University

Award: Indigenous-led Entrepreneurship and Contribution to Knowledge

Winner: Chief Calvin Bruneau, Papaschase First Nation

Presenter: Tim Carwell, President, CommAlert Group  and Past-ASTech Award Winner Indigenous-Led Entrepreneurship and Contribution to Knowledge

Award: Women in Innovation

Winner: Marlene Huerta, Alberta Innovates

Presenter: Amber Hall, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)

Award: Change Makers (Company)

Winner: Piyush Sawhney, Dr. Phone Fix

 (Award Accepted by Chris MacLeod, Edmonton Global)

Presenter: David James, Deputy Minister of Technology and Innovation, Government of Alberta

Award: Innovation of the Year Award

Winners: Myrna Bittner – RUNWITHIT Synthetics, Dean Bittner – RUNWITHIT Synthetics, Malcom Bruce – Edmonton Global, Karen Wichuk – Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board

Presenter: Darren Fast, Associate Vice President, Innovation, Knowledge Mobilization & Partnerships, University of Alberta

Award: Researcher of the Year

Winners: Ying Tsui – University of Alberta, Tarek El-Bialy – University of Alberta, Jie Chen – University of Alberta, Cristian Scurtescu – SmileSonica Inc.

Presenter: Rainer Iraschko, Principal Technology Architect, TELUS

Awards: Alberta-wide Community Champion of Innovation

Winner: Andrew MacIsaac, Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation

Presenter: Derek Armstrong, Manager Innovation Ecosystems, PrairiesCan

Award: Student Changemaker of the Year

Winner: Connor Povoledo, President, Level 7 and Wound3

Presenter: David James, Deputy Minister, Government of Alberta – Ministry of Technology And Innovation

Award: Early Adopter of Innovation

Winner: Dr. S. Monty Ghosh, Alberta Health Services, University of Calgary, University of Alberta

Presenter: Hasnain Baloach – Alberta Catalyzer Coach, Edmonton Unlimited

In photo: Ron Murch, Senior Instructor Emeritus, Haskayne School of Business

Award: Regional Innovation Champion

Winner: Melissa Hozack, TruMe Whole Health

Presenter: Carla Otto, Executive Director, Entrepreneurial Investments,  Alberta Innovates