Agriculture and Agrifood
Hubert Lau, Alberta Food Security Inc.: Advancing Circular Food Systems in Alberta
Kajal Latimer, Canadian Angus Association: Advancing Sustainable Livestock Production Through Genomics and Precision Innovation
Samuel Mugo & Mohammed Elmorsy, PimaSens, MacEwan University: Real-Time Soil Intelligence for Accessible Precision Agriculture
Marleny Doris Aranda Saldaña, University of Alberta: Novel Green Processes to Convert Agri-food Waste to Value-Added Products
Felippe Karp, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology: HyperLayer Data Concept
Tanay Kumar, Aqtiva Inc.: Microbubble-Enhanced Plasma Technology for Crop Health and Productivity
Advanced Manufacturing & Smart Cities
Harpal Mandaher, Sarcomere Dynamics Inc.: Dexterous Robotic Manipulation for Complex Manufacturing Automation
NTWIST: Sunil Vedula, Co-CEO, Sriraj Meenavilli & Team; and TAQA Drilling Solutions: Wayne Pilgrim & Jan Prasad: AI-Driven Dynamic Scheduling for Industrial Manufacturing Optimization
Ying Hei Chui, University of Alberta: Advancing Mass Timber Construction Through National Research Leadership
Dr. Rajbir Bhatti, Mount Royal University: Built AI-Powered Supply Chain Tools and Calgary’s First Smart Integrated Transportation Hub
Daniel Kamau, SketchDeck AI: AI-Automated Bill of Material Software for Structural Steel Estimating
Luis Juarez, LE Robotics, Grande Prairie: AI-Powered Welding Solutions Across Canada, USA and Mexico
Energy Innovation
Ahmad Raza Khan Rana, Integrity Products & Supplies Inc.: Revolutionizing Material Protection and Performance
Wesley Paterson, Paterson Consulting Inc.: Repurposing Orphan Oil Wells into Community Solar Energy Facilities
Roland Lee, MacEwan University: Sustainable Technology for Water Management, Waste Conversion, and Revitalization
Tariq Siddique, Ania Ulrich, Hao Wang & Team, University of Alberta: Tailings Reclamation and Mitigation of Toxic and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Mirko van der Baan, Juliana Leung, David Eaton & Team, Consortium for Distributed and Passive Sensing (C-DaPS): Understanding and Mitigating Human-Induced Seismicity
Jeong Woo Kim, University of Calgary: Gravity-Based Earthquake Detection and Subsurface Monitoring
Mohamed Gamal El-Din & Team, University of Alberta: Engineered Passive Cleantech for Sustainable Oil Sands Mine Closure
Digital, AI and Quantum Technologies
John P. Davis, Zero Point Cryogenics: Dilution Refrigerators: The Essential Cryogenic Cooling Infrastructure for Quantum Technology
Brent Lane & Team, BigGeo: Spatial Computing Infrastructure for Artificial Intelligence
Shabir Barzanjeh, University of Calgary, Founder – QuantaSense: Building the Future of Quantum Technologies in Alberta
Garnette Sutherland & Team, OrbSurgical Ltd.: Pioneering Sensors, AI, Digital Innovation & IoT-Systems in the Neurosurgical Operating Room
Josh Malate, Ultimarii Ltd: AI-Powered Regulatory Intelligence for Complex Infrastructure Permitting
Adam White, University of Alberta; RCLCore CSO, AMII Fellow: Advancing Reinforcement Learning for Scientific, Industrial, and Ecosystem Development
Muhammad Ali Khan, SuperQ Quantum Computing: Lowering Barriers to Commercial Quantum and Advanced Computing Adoption
Aerospace and Defence
Thomas Jones, Jones Microwave Inc.: High Frequency, High Power Solid State Switching for Communication and Radar Systems
Demet Cilden Guler, University of Calgary: Advanced Estimation and Control Systems for Resilient Spacecraft Operations
Spencer Fraser & Dylan Richards, Landing Zones Canada: AI-Driven Reusable Drone Systems for Atmospheric Monitoring
Thomas King, Technalogix Ltd.: Next-Generation RF Amplifiers for POTHR REV_4
Jeff LaFrenz, VizworX Inc.: Immersive Command and Control for Defence and Emergency Response
Emma Spanswick, Susan Skone & Team, University of Calgary: Space Environment Intelligence for Arctic Defense and Navigation Resilience
Hydrogen, Sustainability, and Cleantech
Md Golam Kibria, CarboMat Inc.: Transforming Low-Value Materials to High-Value and Sustainable Carbon Products
Kyle Mulligan, Canadian Pacific Kansas City: Zero Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell Freight Locomotives
Xiaohang (Leo) Fang, University of Calgary: Hydrogen Combustion and Safety for Clean Energy Systems
Jeff Wollin & Terry Wollin, Eximius Environmental Solutions: Mobile Filtration System Enabling Water Reuse and Eliminating Waste
Xiaolei Wang, University of Alberta: Next-Generation Sustainable Battery Technologies
Roland Lee, MacEwan University: Sustainable Technology for Water Management, Waste Conversion, and Revitalization
Health, Medical, and Life Sciences
Laura Curiel, Samuel Pichardo, Sagid Delgado & Michael Pflug, NovusTX Devices Inc.: Development of a Non-Invasive Transcranial Ultrasound Neuromodulation Solution for Movement Disorders
Elena Di Martino, University of Calgary: Predicting Rupture Before It Happens: AI-Enabled Biomechanics for Safer Aortic Aneurysm Care
Michael Wilson, DrugBank: Connecting Scientific Insight and Commercial Strategy to Accelerate Confident R&D Decisions
Kevin Bainey, University of Alberta / Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute: Advancing Cardiovascular Care Through Clinical Research, Innovative Treatment Programs, and Improved Access to Evidence-Based Care
Garnette Sutherland & Team, OrbSurgical Ltd.: Pioneering Sensors, AI, Digital Innovation & IoT-Systems in the Neurosurgical Operating Room
Chris Bladen & Gerald Zamponi, Zymedyne Therapeutics Inc.: Developing Safer, More Effective, Non-Opioid Based Treatments for Chronic Pain
Douglas J. Mahoney & Team, Riddell Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy: Advancing Cancer Immunotherapy Through Research, Innovation and Translation
Khaled Barakat, Thoth BioSimulations: AI-MedCraft: Transforming Drug Development from Failure to Precision
Social and Educational Innovation
Megan Strickfaden, University of Alberta: Solving “Wicked” Social Problems through Design, Community-Led, and Systems Approaches
Sandra Stabel & Michelle Ritchie, Intellicube Health: Guided Digital Learning for Pediatric Health Education
Sherif Elbarrad, Dominarlo Publishing Corp: Innovation in Affordable Interactive Course Content and Assessment
Adeiza Suleman & Efemena Ikpro, 10Alytics: Improving Employment Outcomes Through Practical Tech Training
Richard Zhao, Immersive Virtual School / University of Calgary: Transforming Remote Learning Experiences through Immersive Virtual School
Tara McGee, University of Alberta: Social Science Research to Protect Communities from Wildfires
Change Maker
Patricia Gardner, Nisha Balan Nair Radhamoni, Ara Shimoon, Terri Huck & Vivian Cheng, Bow Valley College: Technology Apprenticeship-Style: Reducing Skills Gaps Through Industry-Immersive Education
Rhailyn Jane Cona & Yue Zhou, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT): Offline-First AI Health Assessment for Rural Communities
Hadi Mokarizadeh, Parsons: Sustainable Methods for Treating Persistent Oil Sands Water Contaminants
Alsayed Mostafa, University of Alberta: Advanced Waste Management for Renewable Energy and Resource Recovery
Mariana Pinheiro Bento, University of Calgary: Trustworthy AI for Equitable Healthcare Outcomes
Aarushi Bhargava, Project90: Humanitarian Engineering Solutions for Underserved Communities
Indigenous Leadership, and Community Empowerment
Tara McGee, University of Alberta & Amy Cardinal Christianson, Indigenous Leadership Initiative: Innovations to Reduce Negative Impacts of First Nation Wildfire Evacuations
David Wishart, University of Alberta: Indigenous-led Innovation in Metabolomics and Precision Health
Rick Blackwood, fRI Research: Hinton: An Environmental Research Hub for 33 Years
TELUS World of Science – Edmonton: Northern Coding Academy at TELUS World of Science – Edmonton
Adeiza Suleman & Efemena Ikpro, 10Alytics: Improving Employment Outcomes Through Practical Tech Training
Ruth Orekogbe, LiberatedAI: Advancing AI Literacy and Adoption in Canadian Businesses
Regional Innovation
Wesley Paterson, Paterson Consulting Inc. (Medicine Hat): Repurposing Orphan Oil Wells into Community Solar Energy Facilities
Beena Karkhanis & Nicholas Fernandes, Memmzy Health (Lethbridge): AI-Driven Reproductive Health Monitoring and Early Risk Detection
Matthew Jubelius, VirtuClinic (Medicine Hat): The Digital Front Door to Workplace Wellness: On-Demand Access through Digital Health Advisors
Stephanie Gross, Bumby Wool (Red Deer): Collaborative Circular Systems for Waste Reduction and Resource Efficiency
Nathan Johnson & Wesley Howery, Stratus Advanced Technologies (Lethbridge): AI-Driven Automation of Complex Business Operations
Thomas King & Robert Gullon, Technalogix Ltd. (Red Deer): Next-Generation RF Amplifiers for POTHR REV_4
Mi-Young Kim, University of Alberta, Augustana Faculty (Camrose): Creating Trustworthy AI to Improve Medical and Legal Assessments
Felippe Karp, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology (Olds): HyperLayer Data Concept
Rick Blackwood, fRI Research (Hinton): Hinton: An Environmental Research Hub for 33 Years
Theresa Lynn, Clarity at Work (Innisfail): Structured AI Governance Framework for Mid-Sized Organizations
Luis Juarez, LE Robotics (Grande Prairie): AI-Powered Welding Solutions Across Canada, USA and Mexico
Early Adopter of Alberta Innovation
Chris Grant, Alberta Bike Swap Ltd.: Engineering Community Bicycle Exchange Systems and Providing Safety Education
Tracey Nyholt, TechJutsu / Caller Verify: Securing Caller Verification to Prevent Social Engineering Attacks at the Help Desk
Matthew Jubelius, VirtuClinic: The Digital Front Door to Workplace Wellness: On-Demand Access through Digital Health Advisors
Hanif Joshaghani & Tiffany Kaminsky, Symend: Behavioral Science and AI for Digital Customer Engagement
Lina Nguyen, Rahul Chona & Coleen Smith, Rohit Group: End-to-End Digital Platform for New Home Buying
Barb Carra, Cybera: Strengthening Cybersecurity in Alberta’s Higher Education Through Cross-Border Collaboration
Women in Innovation
Karen Benzies, Liminality Innovations Inc.: Improving Quality of Care Delivered in Alberta’s NICUs
Jihyun Lee, University of Calgary: Intelligent Mechatronics Systems for Adaptive and Precise Production
Victoria Hodgkinson-Brechenmacher, Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary / Lumiio Inc.: Real-World Data Networks Transforming Rare Disease Care Globally
Ruth Orekogbe, LiberatedAI: Advancing AI Literacy and Adoption in Canadian Businesses
Tara McGee, University of Alberta: Social Science Research to Protect Communities from Wildfires
Cigdem Demirkaya, BioCCM Inc.: Waste-Derived Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage
Barb Carra, Cybera: Strengthening Cybersecurity in Alberta’s Higher Education Through Cross-Border Collaboration
Alberta-wide Community Champion of Innovation; Special Award
Chris Grant, Alberta Bike Swap Ltd.: Engineering Community Bicycle Exchange Systems and Providing Safety Education
Aakash Goyal, AgriLeaf Inc.: Leveraging Advanced Technologies to Improve Cannabis Quality and Yield
Gary Fisher, InnoTech Alberta: The MARIOS Consortium – Collaborative Industrial Network Supporting the Mining Sector
Amanda Lockhart, Canada Security Collective: Modernizing How People Enter and Navigate the Security Industry
Alireza Bayat, Canadian Underground Infrastructure Innovation Centre / University of Alberta: CUIIC – Leading Collaborative Innovation in Underground Infrastructure
Jeff Boisvert & Clayton Deutsch, Centre for Computational Geostatistics / University of Alberta: Leading and Reshaping Subsurface Modelling
Chad Bostock, Stephen Sabey, Chris Pielak, Anh Lang, Sarah Dunn & Team, Government of Alberta Technology and Innovation: A Trusted Digital Wallet for Government-Issued Documents
Janice Baskin, Edmonton Regional Innovation Network: Regional Innovation Community Champion
Bob & Carollyne Collier, Bob Collier Foundation: Supporting the Next Generation of Agriculture Innovators in Alberta
Researcher of the Year
Diwakar Krishnamurthy, University of Calgary: Extended Reality Communication Tools for Nonspeaking Autistic People
David Wishart, University of Alberta: Global Leadership in Metabolomics
Elena Di Martino, University of Calgary: Predicting Rupture Before It Happens: AI-Enabled Biomechanics for Safer Aortic Aneurysm Care
Samira Ebrahimi Kahou, University of Calgary: Trustworthy AI for Complex Real-World Decision Making
Rashid Mirzavand, University of Alberta: Battery-Free Wireless Sensing and Adaptive Electromagnetic Surface Research
Innovation of the Year
Chad Bousman, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary: Revolutionizing Medication Prescribing Through Pharmacogenomics
Al-Karim Khimji & Craig Adam, Propra Technologies Inc.: Deterministic AI Architecture for Trust Accounting Automation
Thomas Jones, Jones Microwave Inc.: High Frequency, High Power Solid State Switching for Communication and Radar Systems
Pirouz Kiani & Ghazal Jalali, NanoStrip: Revolutionizing Industrial Waste Treatment Through Breakthrough Contaminant Removal and Resource Recovery
Josh Malate, Ultimarii Ltd.: AI-Powered Regulatory Intelligence for Complex Infrastructure Permitting
Tanay Kumar, Aqtiva Inc.: Microbubble-Enhanced Plasma Technology for Crop Health and Productivity
