David Wishart, University of Alberta: Global Leadership in Metabolomics
Dr. Wishart is an Alberta-based Métis scientist and entrepreneur who has transformed how metabolomics and biomedical data are accessed and applied. Through more than 20 years of leadership of the Human Metabolome Project, he has built globally used, open-access databases and analytical platforms that advance precision health and knowledge sharing. He has also founded multiple successful biotechnology companies, including Tricca, DrugBank, MetabolomiX, Metabolomics Innovations Inc., and Molecular You Corp., translating research into diagnostics and personalized health solutions. His work exemplifies Indigenous-led innovation, uniting discovery, accessibility, and commercialization to drive global impact.
Award Presented by Jamie Curran, Assistant Deputy Minister, Processing, Trade and Intergovernmental Relations, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Government of Alberta
Tanay Kumar, Aqtiva Inc.: Microbubble-Enhanced Plasma Technology for Crop Health and Productivity
Agricultural production faces ongoing pressure to improve crop performance while reducing reliance on chemical inputs and environmental impact. This work developed a microbubble-enhanced plasma system that generates plasma-activated water to interact with plants and soil conditions. The approach provides growers with an additional tool for crop management, with potential benefits for plant growth, resource use, and more sustainable agricultural practices.
Award Presented by Tom Ogaranko, CEO, Viresco Solutions
Amanda Lockhart, Canada Security Collective: Modernizing How People Enter and Navigate the Security Industry
The security industry is often misunderstood, siloed, and difficult to access, leaving many people—especially youth, newcomers, and vulnerable communities—without clear pathways or a sense of how the work fits together. Through Canada Security Collective, Amanda is creating shared learning spaces, practical entry routes, and community‑driven events that bring professionals, students, nonprofits, and law enforcement into the same room to better understand each other’s roles. These efforts make the industry safer, more visible, and easier to navigate while opening meaningful opportunities for people who have historically been left out.
Award Presented by Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, MacEwan University
Bob & Carollyne Collier, Bob Collier Foundation: Supporting the Next Generation of Agriculture Innovators in Alberta
The Colliers are Alberta-based philanthropists addressing a challenge where early-stage, student-led agricultural innovations frequently struggle to secure the funding and infrastructure needed to advance past the conceptual phase. To bridge this gap, they established a collaborative philanthropic ecosystem model combining a student entrepreneurship award with targeted investments in high-tech learning and smart-farming facilities. This pipeline accelerates the conceptualization of new tools and technologies while providing greater access to the next steps of growing their business idea.
Award Presented by Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, MacEwan University
Hanif Joshaghani & Tiffany Kaminsky, Symend: Behavioral Science and AI for Digital Customer Engagement
Telecommunications providers face an ongoing challenge in helping customers manage overdue accounts while maintaining strong relationships, as call volumes strain customer service quality. The nominee developed a behavioral science and artificial intelligence (AI) platform that personalizes digital outreach — applying self-agency and empathy — to help customers resolve accounts on their own terms. Through a multi-year partnership with a Canadian telecommunications provider, scaled during the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing to expand today, the platform has delivered an 85 percent reduction in inbound agent calls and a 220 percent increase in digital engagement.
Award Presented by Guy Levesque, Executive Director, Hunter Hub, University of Calgary
Tara McGee, University of Alberta & Amy Cardinal Christianson, Indigenous Leadership Initiative: Innovations to Reduce Negative Impacts of First Nation Wildfire Evacuations
Wildfire evacuations have become a regular reality across Canada, and Indigenous communities are disproportionately affected. The First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership was created to research the impacts of these evacuations and share that knowledge where it can make a difference. The partnership has trained students and community research assistants, published a book and academic journal articles, presented at conferences and seminars, and provided direct advice to First Nations, host communities, non-government organizations, and government decision-makers. The work is helping ensure that the people most affected by wildfire evacuations have better information and stronger support when it matters most.
Award Presented by Olle Lagerquist, Associate Vice President, Industry Solutions, NAIT
Adeiza Suleman & Efemena Ikpro, 10Alytics: Improving Employment Outcomes Through Practical Tech Training
Many skilled individuals struggle to secure tech jobs due to a gap between training and real-world experience. This work developed a structured model that combines practical learning, guided projects, and career support to better prepare individuals for employment. As a result, more learners are able to transition into tech roles locally and internationally, improving access to economic opportunities and career growth. The nominee is a technology entrepreneur focused on workforce development and is based in Alberta.
Award Presented by Trish Josephs, Micro Engineering Technologies Inc., METI Ventures Studio
Barb Carra, Cybera: Strengthening Cybersecurity in Alberta’s Higher Education Through Cross-Border Collaboration
While academic institutions face a surge in cyberattacks that threaten vital research and data, many lack the resources and expertise needed to provide 24/7 monitoring and response. Cybera — under President and CEO Barb Carra’s visionary leadership — is addressing this challenge through a novel Security Operations Centre (rSOC) pilot that utilizes trusted global collaborators to provide continuous cybersecurity support for Alberta higher education institutions. This initiative protects our staff, students, and research data, no matter the size of the higher education institution. In addition, post-secondary staff benefit from shared knowledge and experiences to grow their skills.
Award Presented by Stephanie Gross, North America Partnerships Lead, WEConnect International
Rhailyn Jane Cona & Yue Zhou, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT): Offline-First AI Health Assessment for Rural Communities
Rural Canadians often travel over 200 kilometers to reach specialists and face emergency response times exceeding 45 minutes, creating dangerous gaps in healthcare access. An Alberta-based development team created a mobile health platform that provides AI-powered symptom assessment, emergency coordination, and health tracking—designed specifically to function without internet connectivity. The system enables rural residents to make informed healthcare decisions 24/7, reduces unnecessary emergency visits through better triage, and helps bridge the healthcare equity gap between urban and rural communities.
Award Presented by Cassy Weber, CEO, MindFuel
Alireza Bayat, Canadian Underground Infrastructure Innovation Centre / University of Alberta: CUIIC – Leading Collaborative Innovation in Underground Infrastructure
Canada’s underground infrastructure sector was fragmented, with no shared approach to dealing with aging systems and growing demand. Over fifteen years, Dr. Alireza Bayat changed that by building the Canadian Underground Infrastructure Innovation Centre (CUIIC), a multi-university, multi-industry research ecosystem that connects researchers and industry partners across the country. What started as isolated problems in underground construction is now a national network where knowledge is shared, practices improve, and the sector can tackle its challenges together.
Award Presented by Patrick Yu, Director, Trade Collaboration, Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade & Immigration, Government of Alberta
