We are excited to announce the Finalists of the
36th Annual ASTech Awards!
Their work, described through their submissions below, has made them this year’s finalists.
Be sure to check back regularly to see the growing list of finalist collages.
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Advanced Manufacturing category:
Wesley Wall and the Genics team, Genics: Advanced Manufacturing Methods in Wood Durability.
The collaboration led by Corey Blanchette of TAQA Drilling with NTWIST: AI-Driven Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing for Energy Tools.
Dr. Patricia Dolez and her team at the University of Alberta, working in collaboration with Davey Textile Solutions Inc., DuPont, and more: Graphene-Based End-of-Life Sensor for Structural Firefighters PPE Garment Systems.
Harpal Mandaher and Nancy Mandaher, Sarcomere Dynamics Inc.: Synthetic Labor: Near-Human Dexterity Robotics for Industrial Automation.
Dr. Aman Ullah, University of Alberta: Driving Circular Economy: Converting Waste into Sustainable Packaging Solutions.
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Agriculture and Agri-Food category.
Reza Sabbagh, Ghader Manafiazar, and Amir Rahvar of iClassifier Inc.: AI-Powered Imaging for Precision Livestock Health and Traits Assessment.
Annie Ray, Anandi Botanicals Inc. (Lethbridge): Tissue Culture Propagation for Disease-Free Plants in Agriculture, Conservation, and Reclamation.
Karen Haugen-Kozyra, Teri McNaught, and Dave Schwass of Viresco Solutions Inc.: Global Agri-Carbon Innovator Driving Sustainable Farming and Market Impact.
Damilare Odumosu, Cropmind Inc.: AI-Driven Crop Monitoring for Early Disease and Yield Insights.
Aakash Goyal, RAYN Cultivation Inc.: Leveraging Technology and Research to Enhance Cannabis Quality and Yield.
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Sustainability Solutions and Cleantech category.
Ling Bai and Adam Abou-Dehn, VL Energy: Transforming Emissions Monitoring and Optimization Using Machine Learning.
Mohamed Gamal El-Din and team, University of Alberta, Civil and Environmental Engineering, in collaboration with Suncor: Innovative Water Reclamation for Sustainable Oil Sands Closure.
Aggrey Mwesigye, University of Calgary, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering: Solar Thermal and Geothermal Energy Innovations for a Sustainable Future.
Abdallah Manasrah and Nashaat Nassar, Carbon OxyTech Inc.: Sustainable Conversion of Carbon Residues into High-Value Products.
Steven Bryant, University of Calgary, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering: Carbon Capture and Clean Technology Solutions.
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Social Innovation and Educational Technologies category:
Ahmed Mowafi Saad of the University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Shaping Brilliant Minds: Innovative Engineering Education.
Sunil Phool of Infinity Safety Awareness: Community Leadership in Mental Health Advocacy.
Julie L. Drolet and her team at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region: Digital Disaster Documents: A Social Innovation for Disaster Risk Reduction in Households and Communities.
Sharon Skretting, Richelle Marynowski, and Dan Vanden Dungen of Teacher Time Machine (Lethbridge): Saving Teachers Time and Reducing Burnout Through Customized Teaching Resources.
Kathryn Wagner of Inside Education: Inspiring Youth Environment and Climate Leadership in Alberta.
Kristian Bainey of K-PIC Systems Inc: Leadership in AI-Driven Project Management Innovation.
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Medical, Healthcare, and Pharmaceuticals category.
Kristian Bainey, K-PIC Systems Inc.: AI-Powered Robotic Cancer Detection.
Raja Singh and Anmol Kapoor, CardiAI Inc.: Rapid Detection of Heart Failure Markers.
Michael Hill and team, University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine: Transforming Stroke Treatment.
Mark Laurensse, CEO, Arm Lock / Tennis Elbow R&D Ltd.: Medical Innovation for Chronic Injury Treatment.
Sherif Hanafy Mahmoud, University of Alberta, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences: From Bedside to Benchside and Back.
Douglas Mahoney and team, University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine – The Riddell Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy: Advancing Cancer Immunotherapy Through Research, Innovation, and Translation.
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Defence, Security, and Aerospace category.
Spencer Fraser, Founder, and Dylan Richards, CFO, Landing Zone Canada: Cutting-Edge Aerospace Solutions for a Greener Tomorrow.
James Hogan, University of Alberta, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering: Engineering Impact in Alberta – Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, and National Security.
Jocelyn Arthur, QinetiQ Target Systems Canada: Multi-Role Autonomous Boat Development for the Royal Canadian Navy.
Xingqi Zhang, University of Alberta, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: High-Performance Tools for Smart Mobility and Wireless Innovation.
Henry Leung, University of Calgary, Department of Electrical and Software Engineering: Object Detection and Sensor Fusion Technologies for Sensor Networks and IoT.
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Indigenous-led Entrepreneurship and Contributions to Knowledge category.
Chelsea Benally, University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Environmental Engineering with Indigenous Communities for Water Solutions.
Andrew Karesa, BlueBell Village Ltd.: Transforming Dementia Care for Indigenous Communities Through Innovation.
Jerry Hanna, Clearflow Group Inc.: Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems with Clearflow Gel Flocculants.
Karan Wadhwani, Master Student, University of Calgary: Exploring energy needs for First Nations communities and building stronger partnerships with Alberta and Canada.
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Environment / Ecosystems category.
Gordon Stenhouse and team, fRI Research: The Grizzly Bear Program (1999–2021).
Jeff Boisvert, University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Uncertainty Quantification and Spatial Modelling for Resource and Wildfire Decisions.
Brett Purdy, Alberta Innovates: Advancing Ecological Science and Innovation.
Randy Valk, GRO (Grassroots Resource Optimization Ltd., Medicine Hat): Redefining Water Management Through Innovation, Conservation and Clean Technology.
Dave Carlton, Andrew Renaux, and Jason Di Pietro, Leaf Ninjas: Remote Solar Irrigation Systems for Ecological Restoration.
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Energy, Petrochemicals, and Resource Industries category.
Dmitri Shilov, Russell NDE Systems Inc.: Development of an Advanced Leak Noise Detector for Pipeline Inspections.
Apostolos Kantzas, University of Calgary, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering: Digital Innovations in Energy and Environmental Stewardship.
The collaboration led by Corey Blanchette of TAQA Drilling with NTWIST: AI-Driven Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing for Energy Tools.
Mohamed Gamal El-Din, University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Innovative Water Reclamation for Sustainable Oil Sands Closure.
Shengnan (Nancy) Chen, University of Calgary, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering: Employing AI/ML to Advance Smart and Sustainable Subsurface Energy Development.
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Hydrogen and Alternative Energies category.
Aurora Hydrogen Inc. – Project Team: Microwave Methane Pyrolysis for Clean and Distributed Hydrogen
Amit Kumar, University of Alberta, Department of Mechanical Engineering: System-level Assessment of Hydrogen and Decarbonization Pathways
Rick Chalaturnyk and Gonzalo Zambrano, University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: GeoSAFETY – Geoscience for Subsurface Assurance oF Energy TechnologYs
Inder Pal Singh, Golu Hydrogen Technologies Inc.: Transformative Clean Energy Innovations for a Sustainable Future
Jing Liu, University of Alberta, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering: Sustainable Materials for Energy Infrastructure Transformation
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Construction/Smart Cities category.
Alex Gosselin and Adil Kodian, BuildBase: Tackling Old Construction Management Problems with New Streamlined Software
Karim El-Basyouny, University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Innovative Methods for Road Infrastructure Digitization Using Advanced Sensor Data
Yasser Mohamed and the Construction Innovation Centre team, University of Alberta: Construction Innovation Centre Research Initiatives for the Improvement of Construction Processes, Performance, and Safety
Henry Tsang and Douglas MacLeod, RAIC Centre for Architecture, Athabasca University: Pioneering Innovations in Regenerative Design for the Built Environment
James Matte and Jon Matte, BuilderChat: AI-Driven Customer Experience and Service Innovation for Homebuilders
Mustafa Gul, University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Building Sustainable, Resilient, and Energy-Efficient Smart Cities for the Future
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Digital Innovation, Visualization, and Security category.
Tracey Nyholt, TechJutsu Inc.: Securing Caller Verification to Prevent Social Engineering Attacks at the Help Desk
Ruisheng Wang, University of Calgary, Department of Geomatics Engineering: Pioneering 3D Urban Modeling with AI, LiDAR, and Interdisciplinary Innovation
Karim El-Basyouny, University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Innovative Methods for Road Infrastructure Digitization Using Advanced Sensor Data
Arlan N. Schultz, AuraWave Technologies Inc.: Gestural Control of Immersive Audio
Norm Bogner, ZeroSound Systems Inc.: Active Noise Control for Industry
Patrick Binns, Abinsi Solutions Group Inc.: Antix – An Integrated Content Publishing and Distribution Software Solution for Local Community Advertising
Apostolos Kantzas, University of Calgary, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering: Digital Innovations in Energy and Environmental Stewardship
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the AI/ML & Quantum category.
Shabir Barzanjeh, University of Calgary, Department of Physics & Astronomy: Advancing quantum communication technologies
David Wishart, University of Alberta, Departments of Biological Sciences & Computing Science: Transforming metabolomics globally through AI and digital innovation
Li Cheng, University of Alberta, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering: Digital humans and Text2Motion generation in 3D worlds
Jordan Smith and Daniel Oblak, Quantized Technologies Inc.: Enabling quantum networks and securing communications with quantum technology
Shengnan (Nancy) Chen, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering: Employing AI/ML to advance smart and sustainable subsurface energy development
2025 ASTech Awards Finalists for the Change Maker (Early Career) category.
Zahra Abbasi, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Department of Electrical and Software Engineering: Sensing without Seeing: Unlocking the Power of Applied Electromagnetics for Advanced Monitoring and Detection
Musap “Moose” Abdel, S.I.Y.S. – Struggle is Your Success: Community-Centered Design and Innovation
Aravind Ganesh, University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine: Next-Gen RIC: Innovating Stroke and Dementia Care
Ahmad Raza Khan Rana, Integrity Product and Supplies Inc.: Revolutionizing Protection and Performance of Thermally Insulated Assets
Amin Komeili, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Department of Biomedical Engineering & Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering: AI-Driven Innovations in Lower Limb Rehabilitation
