ASTech’s 2001 Winners

Winner of Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology, BioWare Corp., founded in 1995 in Edmonton by newly graduated doctors Dr. Greg Zeschuk and Dr. Ray Muzyka, rapidly evolved from a creative outlet into a world-renowned developer of computer games. BioWare distinguished itself with innovative sound, graphics, and gameplay, gaining critical acclaim for Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights – contributing to Alberta’s high-tech reputation, and earning its founders spots on prominent lists of influential Canadians. Since 2007, the company has been owned by Electronic Arts and continues to have a strong Alberta office. Bioware founder Ray Muzyka became an active tech investor and key contributor to Alberta’s tech sector through support of initiatives like ThresholdImpact University of Alberta Venture Mentoring Service.

Honoured for Innovation in Agricultural Sciences, Dr. James Helm significantly advanced cereal variety development and implemented Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) in agriculture. Dr. Helm revolutionized grain quality analysis, making it faster, non-destructive, and environmentally friendly. His efforts led to key research initiatives and global collaborations, culminating in the naming of the J.H. Helm Cereal Research Centre and the Alberta Agricultural Hall of Fame. Establishing and developing the Field Crop Development Centre (Now named Western Crop Innovations) in Lacombe, his research grew into one of the most productive cereal breeding programs in Canada.

University of Alberta professor Dr. Theresa (Terry)  Allen was recognized with the Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology Award, for significant contributions to cancer treatment through her development of Stealth liposome technology. This innovative approach involved coating liposomes to resemble normal cells, preventing their destruction by the body’s immune system and enhancing the delivery of anti-cancer drugs directly to tumours, thereby reducing side effects. Today, she serves as Professor Emerita of Pharmacology and Oncology at the University of Alberta.

Dr. John Wallace, recipient of the Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Science Award and based at the University of Calgary, was globally recognized for developing “NO-NSAIDs,” a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs that released nitric oxide to prevent ulcers without the side effects of traditional NSAIDs. His innovations led to further developments in nitric oxide-releasing drugs, now used to treat various diseases. Dr. Wallace is an Adjunct Professor at the Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology.

CSI Wireless Inc. was recognized with the Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology award for their work in the differential global positioning system (DGPS) industry. Founded in 1990, the company consistently innovated and grew globally, combining DGPS with wireless technologies to address new markets in telematics and precision agriculture. The company had a significant impact on Alberta’s economy and technological landscape. In 2005, it was renamed Hemisphere GPS.

Dr. William Cochrane, honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to the Alberta Science and Technology Community Award, significantly shaped Alberta’s medical landscape. Starting in 1967 as the founding dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary, he played a crucial role in curriculum design, faculty recruitment, and the construction of the Health Sciences Centre. Throughout his career, Cochrane held prominent positions, including President of the University of Calgary and President of Connaught Laboratories in Toronto, earning numerous accolades, such as the Order of Canada, for his contributions to medical research and healthcare in Alberta.

Russell N.D.E. Systems Inc., based in Edmonton and winner for Industrial Research – Northern Alberta for significantly contributing to Alberta’s oil and gas sector by pioneering Remote Field Eddy Current (RFEC) technology for inspecting carbon steel tubes and pipes. This non-destructive technology efficiently detects corrosion, cracks, and potential leaks, addressing a critical need in an industry. Today, the company designs, manufactures and sells instruments and probes for a variety of non-destructive testing (NDT) applications, provides NDT training, and creates special tools for NDT applications.

Leader of Tomorrow award winner Dr. Jocelyn Haley (Grozic), a researcher at the University of Calgary, was recognized for her work in soil mechanics. Her pioneering work on extracting gas from “gassy” soils, particularly focusing on gas hydrates in permafrost and offshore regions. Her multidisciplinary approach drew international support and recognition for its contribution to addressing global energy demands. Dr. Hayley is currently a professor at the University of Calgary’s Department of Civil Engineering, and was the recipient of the 2017 APEGA Summit Award for Women in Engineering and Geoscience Champion.

Dr. Robert J. Crawford, Special Award winner, made significant contributions to promoting Alberta’s science and technology through his extensive work as a science educator and ambassador. His leadership roles at the University of Alberta, particularly in the Department of Chemistry and Computing Science, led to important developments in technology transfer and increased public engagement with science. Dr. Crawford’s involvement with the ASTech Awards, including serving as its executive director, was pivotal in elevating the profile and impact of the ASTech Awards.

Operation Minerva, winner of the Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness award, was established in 1988 to address the low participation of female students in advanced science and mathematics. The organization has significantly impacted awareness and understanding in Alberta by offering job shadowing, panel discussions, and workshops for eighth-grade girls. After 36 years, Operation Minerva is undertaken through partners like the TELUS Spark Science Centre, AWSN, and the Praxis Science Outreach Society.

Additional 2001 Winners Include: Calgary based, Alterna Technologies Group Inc., winner of the Industrial Research – Southern Alberta award, specialized in e-finance solutions that connected businesses directly with the global banking system. Their innovative software platform enabled multinational corporations to efficiently manage banking relationships and financial transactions, incorporating tools for in-house banking and payment routing, while offering detailed insights into cash logistics, Forestry industry journalist Tony Kryzanowski, a contributing editor at the “Logging and Sawmilling Journal,” was honored with the Journalism: Specialized Publications award for his ability to simplify complex technical and scientific material related to forest management. Through his writings, Tony provided clear, balanced, and comprehensive coverage of innovative forest management techniques, emphasizing responsible harvesting and regeneration of Alberta’s mixed boreal forests. His work over many decades has significantly contributed to educating a wide range of stakeholders, from readers to industry professionals, about sustainable practices and new technologies in forestry. Dr. Donald Sheeran, winner of the Innovation in Oil Sands Research Award, made substantial contributions to the oil sands extraction process. He led a collaborative effort to develop the Composite Tails (CT) process, which addressed the environmental and technical challenges of tailings ponds by significantly reducing tailings segregation and enhancing the reclamation of tailings landforms. With over two decades in the industry and more than 25 publications, Dr. Sheeran’s leadership and expertise established him as a prominent figure in oil sands research. Dr. Stan Boutin, winner of the Al-Pac Integrated Landscaping Management award, made significant strides in landscape management and environmental impact assessment at the University of Alberta. His research highlighted how linear features like seismic lines and roads, created by forestry and oil and gas industries, alter habitat use and increase caribou mortality rates by enhancing wolf hunting efficiency. This work spurred the energy sector to reconsider exploration methods and foster new approaches to integrated landscape management. Today, Dr. Boutin’s research focuses on the woodland caribou and conservation challenges under rapid human-induced changes—leading to innovative conservation strategies that are pivotal in the species’ recovery efforts. Dr. George Clayton, National Program Director, Sustainable Production Systems with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – is the winner of the Innovation in Agricultural Science Award for significantly advancing sustainable farming practices in Alberta and western Canada through his leadership in developing direct seeding methods. This technique, crucial during the severe droughts of the early 2000s, conserved soil moisture and improved soil health, enabling farmers to reduce risks and enhance profitability despite low commodity prices. His extensive research and outreach in crop diversification and management practices, including sustainable canola production and pulse crop management, provided vital resources and economic stability to the agricultural community.