ASTech’s 2002 Winners

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Micralyne Inc. won the Outstanding Commercial Achievement award for its pioneering work in microtechnology. Since its founding in 1982 as Alberta Microelectronics Center, Micralyne has bridged the nano world to real-world applications. Specializing in microsystems and MEMS, its innovations revolutionized industries such as telecommunications, biosystems, aerospace, and automotive electronics. Micralyne was acquired by Teledyne Technologies in 2019 and continues to operate from the Edmonton Research Park.
Honored with the Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Science award, Dr. Samuel Weiss made groundbreaking contributions to neurology. He discovered a neural stem cell capable of generating new brain cells, offering potential treatments for neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. As a professor at the University of Calgary, Dr. Weiss led significant research groups and founded two biotech companies to advance his research into practical medical applications. Dr. Weiss founded the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2023.He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2009 and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2014

 
Dr. D. Jed Harrison received the Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology award for his pioneering work in miniaturizing instrumentation for biochemical and genetic analysis at the Suffield Research Station. Known for his lab-on-a-chip concept, his research facilitated rapid clinical diagnostics, drug discovery, and biowarfare agent detection, with global applications. Dr. Harrison was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada’s Academy of Science in 2003 and received the University of Alberta’s first Faculty of Science Research Award in 1994, and is now Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the University of Alberta.
 
Andrew Gilliland won the Outstanding Contribution to the Alberta Science and Technology Community award for his unwavering dedication to fostering innovation and collaboration in Alberta and Canada. Through his leadership, Gilliland expanded the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) and played a pivotal role in establishing the Canadian Technology Network, Edmonton and Calgary Innovation Centres, and InnoCentre Alberta. For almost 20 years as part of NRC, he promoted innovation and commercialization of research and partnerships between governments, academia and industry, demonstrated by his critical work in the creation and establishment of the $120 million National Institute for Nanotechnology, in partnership with the NRC, the Government of Alberta and the University of Alberta. His vision and commitment to partnerships between government, academia, and industry earned him recognition as a Fellow of Engineers Canada.
Dr. Brad Stelfox, recipient of the ASTech award for Al-Pac Integrated Landscaping Management, developed ALCES, an innovative simulation model evaluating the cumulative effects of human and natural activities on the environment. This tool integrates with GIS platforms to forecast changes in Alberta’s landscape, assessing impacts on resources like timber, oil, water, and wildlife, facilitating better natural resource management. Through his company, ALCES Landscape and Land Use Ltd., Dr. Stelfox’s work significantly advanced integrated landscape management, positioning his Alberta-based technology as a global leader.
SMART Technologies Inc. won the Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology award for creating intuitive multimedia tools for office and classroom environments. SMART Technologies was founded in 1987 in Calgary, and is a 4-time ASTech Award Winner for their innovation and commercial achievements, and is located in at the University of Calgary’s University Innovation Quarter. The SMART Board, was introduced in 1991 and is an interactive white board trusted by teachers, students, and business leaders world-wide. SMART Technologies Inc. was acquired by Foxconn in 2016. 
Alberta Venture Magazine won the Journalism: General Public award for its dedication to showcasing technological advancements in Alberta from an Albertan perspective. Through its Tech@Venture special report and regular features on Alberta-based software companies. Founded by acclaimed Edmonton editor and publisher Ruth Kelly, who was recognized as a Global Woman of Vision in 1998 and a YWCA Woman of Distinction in 2003. She was named the Allard Chair of Business at MacEwan School of Business in 2005, the same year she chaired the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Keng Chung won the Innovation in Oil Sands Research award for significantly advancing oilsands research. He focused on the interplay between front-end operations and issues such as fouling and corrosion in upgrading processes. His instrumental work mapping fine solids in bitumen-derived streams led to the development of a valuable information database that aided in troubleshooting and improving oilsands operations. Dr. Chung obtained his PhD in chemical and petroleum engineering from the University of Calgary. He is now Vice President of Technology at Well Resources, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and a Fellow of Engineers Canada.
“Pi in the Sky” won the Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness award. Spearheaded by Dr. Wieslaw Krawcewicz of the University of Alberta, this semi-annual magazine aimed to enhance high-school students’ awareness and interest in mathematics. Featuring articles, humour, and problem-solving challenges, it encouraged students to consider careers in mathematical sciences. Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, and Washington and available online, “Pi in the Sky” engaged students and teachers, fostering dialogue about the importance of mathematical education.
 
Honored with the Innovation in Agricultural Sciences award, Dr. Allen Good made groundbreaking strides in understanding plant stressors to enhance crop health. As a University of Alberta researcher, he focused on environmental stresses like drought, pests, and nutrient limitation. Dr. Good patented technology and published extensively, particularly emphasizing improving nitrogen utilization in canola through genetic engineering to reduce chemical usage in agriculture. He is currently an emeritus professor in Biological Sciences.
Honoured for Applied Technology and Innovation, the Saskatchewan Research Council’s Pipe Flow Technology Centre pioneered research benefiting Alberta’s energy industry for over 60 years. Renowned for pipeline flow research, the Centre addressed challenges in oil sand transport, including tailings pipeline design and preventing sand accumulation in horizontal wells. Their work enhanced productivity, reduced contamination, and explored alternative heavy oil transportation methods, increasing safety and profitability for Alberta’s energy sector.
Additional 2002 Winners Include:
  • Awarded the Industrial Research – Southern Region award, SemBioSys Genetics Inc.-  a University of Calgary spin-off, pioneered a novel method that integrated recombinant proteins into safflower oilseeds. This innovation facilitated easier and more cost-effective extraction and purification of proteins for use in vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and other products. The technique promised to drastically reduce the financial burden associated with the production of commercial proteins.
  • BigBangwidth Inc. won the Industrial Research – Northern Region award for developing BroadLan, a technology using nano-electrical mechanical systems (NEMS) to enhance data transmission across fibre-optic networks. BroadLan dynamically reallocated bandwidth by manipulating tiny mirrors, eliminating network bottlenecks and significantly increasing bandwidth capacity. 
  • Talib Rajwani won the Leaders of Tomorrow award for his remarkable strides in investigating the causes of spinal abnormalities in adolescents. His research explored the role of unequal growth of the neurocentral junction in the spine as a potential cause of scoliosis. After obtaining his M.D., Dr. Rajwani went into clinical practice and has been a staff psychiatrist at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital and clinical lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta.
  • Dr. Michael S. Kallos won the Leaders of Tomorrow award for his groundbreaking research in neural stem cells at the University of Calgary. His innovative protocols for large-scale growth of neural stem cells in bioreactors offer hope for treating diseases like Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. Featured in top journals, Dr. Kallos is a key collaborator in the Stem Cell Network,  and is Professor and Head, Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary.
  • Honoured for Applied Technology and Innovation, the Saskatchewan Research Council’s Pipe Flow Technology Centre pioneered research benefiting Alberta’s energy industry for over 60 years. Renowned for pipeline flow research, the Centre addressed challenges in oil sand transport, including tailings pipeline design and preventing sand accumulation in horizontal wells. Their work enhanced productivity, reduced contamination, and explored alternative heavy oil transportation methods, increasing safety and profitability for Alberta’s energy sector.