ASTech’s 1998 Winners

Honourable Premier Peter Lougheed received the ASTech Special Award for his pivotal role in strengthening science and technology in Alberta. His leadership led to establishing the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, Alberta Agriculture Research Authority, and strengthening the Alberta Research Council, among others. By championing economic diversification and investing in educational and research institutions like the Tyrrell Museum and Glenbow Foundation, Premier Lougheed’s legacy continues to shape Alberta’s thriving science and technology landscape.  Mr. Lougheed was appointed member of the Privy Council of Canada, Companion of the Order of Canada, and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame.

Wi-LAN Inc. (later renamed to Quarterhill Inc.) was awarded Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology for its innovative wireless networking technologies.  Founded in 1992 by Hatim Zaghloul (Ph.D. Physics, University of Calgary) and Michel Fattouche (Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Calgary)  to commercialize their Wideband Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (W-OFDM) technology,  an acronym for “Wireless Local Area Network”.  WiLAN’s W-OFDM technology established the 802.11a Wi-Fi standard that spurred a multi-billion dollar market.

Dr. Leo A. Behie was honoured with Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology for his groundbreaking research in chemical reaction engineering and innovation in diverse areas such as energy and animal cell biotechnology.  In 1990, he founded the Pharmaceutical Production Research Facility, and over the next three decades, focused his efforts in bringing together engineering and medicine by creating and optimizing bioprocesses for the production of vaccines, therapeutic proteins, stem cells for use in therapies targeting Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. He was a professor at the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary.

Dr. Don Scott was recognized with the Innovation In Oil Sands Research Award. In 1980, Scott joined the Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, as the Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority (AOSTRA) Research Chair. Dr. Scott advanced composite tailings technology for oil sands, improving geotechnical and environmental outcomes. He also founded the Masters of Engineering in Oil Sands to meet industry demands and develop a skilled workforce.

Syncrude Canada Ltd., was recognized with the ASTech Award for Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology. Thanks to advancements in oil sands technology and operational efficiencies, the company produced its billionth barrel of crude oil in 1998, five years ahead of schedule. Syncrude joint venture began in 1964 and started mining at the Mildred Lake site in 1978. After more than 55 years of innovation, many of the processes used in the industry today were created by Syncrude, including an expanding suite of technologies to improve environmental and future economic performance. Syncrude is jointly owned by four partners: Suncor, Imperial Oil, Sinopec, and CNOOC; and is operated by Suncor.

The Alberta Women’s Science Network (AWSN) won the Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness award for promoting science and technology resources and programs to women. Since 1993, AWSN has brought together diverse groups to promote women’s involvement in STEM fields, optimizing resource use. Today, AWSN supports over 20 voluntary organizations advocating for EDI in STEM fields across Alberta with program and event funding, as well as guidance and volunteer support. In 2022, AWSN won the ASTech award for Social Innovation – Programs Promoting Women.

Mr. John Acorn, an award-winning broadcast journalist, was honored with the award for Journalism: General Public for his engaging and educational science show, “Acorn: The Nature Nut.” The show, celebrated for its high-quality science content and accessibility, was broadcast not only across Canada but also internationally. Currently, he is a lecturer at the department of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences University of Alberta, a research associate at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, and at the E.H. Strickland Entomology Museum.  He was also awarded the 2010 Excellence In Science And Technology Public Awareness ASTech Award.

Additional 1998 Winners Include: Winner of the Industrial Research – Southern Alberta award, Canzyme Corporation was recognized for its efforts to attract biotech companies to Calgary. One of their key research projects was to develop an enzyme that, when added to pig and chicken feed, allows the animals to digest naturally present phosphorous, which is normally indigestible – reducing the use of environmentally harmful waste. Cytovax Biotechnologies Inc. received the award for Industrial Research – Northern Alberta for its efforts in vaccine development aimed at combating antibiotic resistance. Its flagship project involved creating a peptide vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that significantly threatens immunocompromised patients. Following the progression of its vaccine into clinical trials, Cytovax merged with Millenium Biologix in 2004. Dr. James W. Murray received the ASTech award for Outstanding Contribution to the Alberta Science and Technology Community for pioneering work in university-based technology transfer. Born in Grimshaw, Alberta (near Peace River), Dr. Murray obtained a BSc from UofA and a masters and PhD from Princeton. He began his 30-year career as a professor of Geology at UBC, then founding director of the UBC Industry Liaison Office. Recruited to the University of Alberta, Dr. Murray became Associate Vice-President and Director of the Industry Liaison Office, where he significantly increased the number of spin-off companies, placing the university at the forefront of commercialization efforts in Canada. Dr. Murray’s leadership also led to the University of Alberta ranking first in the country for the value of royalties generated from patents and licenses. Dr. Richard E. Peter was honoured with the ASTech award for Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Science for his pioneering contributions to fish endocrinology. He was born in Medicine Hat and obtained his BSc from the University of Calgary. Dr. Peter served two terms as Chair of the Department of Zoology and two terms as Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta. Dr. Peter also served as Vice-President of the Alberta Research Council, and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences of the Government of Alberta, and Director of Bamfield Marine Station. He developed the first stereotaxic map of the fish brain, facilitating advancements in fish reproduction and growth, enhancing global fish farm productivity. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.