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