ASTech’s 2004 Winners

Posted on by IT Admin
Dr. Bryan Kolb, professor of Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge won the Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Science award for his pioneering neuroscience research that significantly advanced the understanding of the brain’s ability to regenerate, impacting treatments for brain injuries, drug addiction, and stroke. His groundbreaking work includes developing a course in human neuropsychology, authoring a major textbook, and disproving myths about brain recovery, leading to new therapeutic approaches. Dr. Kolb was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada and became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Dr. Dave Irvine-Halliday and the Light Up The World Foundation won the Applied Technology and Innovation award for providing safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly lighting using White Light Emitting Diode (WLED) technology. Motivated by unsafe lighting conditions in Nepal, Dr. Irvine-Halliday’s initiative replaced kerosene lamps with sustainable WLED lamps, benefiting over 20,000 people in multiple countries by extending productive hours into the night. Dr. Irvine-Halliday,  Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Calgary, was awarded the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Decoration – Civil Division. Light Up The World continues to improve lives in remote off-grid communities by providing solar photovoltaic systems, reducing reliance on polluting fuels and costly batteries while empowering communities through local technician training and sustainable development partnerships.
Dr. David T. Lynch won the Outstanding Contribution to the Alberta Science and Technology Community award for his transformative impact on the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering. Known as the “Building Dean,” he oversaw a $250 million infrastructure investment and significantly increased enrolments, elevating the faculty to one of North America’s top engineering schools. His leadership extended to public engagement through initiatives like DiscoverE and SciberMentor, and he played a crucial role in establishing the National Institute for Nanotechnology. For his contributions, Dr. Lynch was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada and of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.
 
Professor Gérard Lachapelle won the Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology award for his pioneering contributions to transforming Alberta into a globally recognised hub for Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies. He led significant advancements in GPS technology at the Department of Geomatics Engineering within the University of Calgary, resulting in widespread commercial and research applications worldwide. His efforts positioned Alberta as a leading destination for GPS research and innovation, earning him recognition as a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation, the Royal Society of Canada, and the Canadian Academy of Engineering, among many others.
NOVA Chemicals won the Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology (>25M) award for revolutionising the steam cracking process. Led by Dr. Michael Oballa, their team developed a method to deactivate catalytic activity on furnace coil surfaces, achieving run lengths exceeding 400 days. This breakthrough minimised downtime, extended coil lifespan, enhanced energy efficiency, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. NOVA Chemicals’ Joffre manufacturing facility lies just east of Red Deer, and is one the largest ethylene and polyethylene production complexes in the world.   Today, NOVA Chemicals is reshaping plastics for a better, more sustainable world by leading the development of circular plastics and working toward a low carbon, zero-plastic-waste future.
 
Ceapro Inc. was honoured with the award for Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology, and became one of Canada’s fastest-growing biotechnology firms in 2004. Led by President and CEO Dr. Mark Redmond, Ceapro implemented a strategic reorganization and successfully commercialized innovative technology utilizing cereal grains, resulting in soaring profits and international market penetration. Based in Edmonton, Ceapro is involved in developing and commercializing “active ingredients” derived from oats and other renewable plant resources for the healthcare and cosmetic industries. 
Canadian Bio-Systems Inc.(CBS Bio Platforms) earned the Industrial Research Award – Southern Region for pioneering enzyme technology in animal feed, revolutionizing the livestock, poultry, and aquaculture industries. Founded by Owen Jones in 1984, CBS developed enzyme supplements that enhance nutrient absorption, improve animal health, and reduce environmental contaminants in excretions. Through rigorous scientific research and partnerships, CBS has continued to innovate, aiming to reduce antibiotic use further and enhance feeding value in animal diets, contributing to sustainable agriculture practices worldwide.
Dr. Kevin Biggar and his team at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering won the Innovation in Agricultural Science award for developing a waste-treatment technology that processes pig manure using a freeze-separation method inspired by ice beer production. This method concentrated manure nutrients into a smaller volume for economical transport as crop fertilizer, reduced odours, and produced reusable water and compostable solids. Leveraging Alberta’s cold climate and existing infrastructure, this sustainable solution aligned with environmental impact regulations for intensive livestock operations. Dr. Biggar was a faculty member of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta and has worked as an independent consultant since 2015. His current work is focused on forensic geotechnical engineering.
Dr. Hassan Hamza was honored with the Innovation in Oil Sands Research Award for his pivotal role in advancing Alberta’s oil sands industry through collaborative research efforts. As manager of Advanced Separation Technologies at CANMET Energy Technology Centre – Devon, Dr. Hamza’s leadership expanded the facility’s focus to include oil sands research, leading to fundamental breakthroughs in bitumen extraction and tailings treatment.
Additional 2004 Winners Include:
  • Virexx Medical Corp. won the Industrial Research Northern Region award for introducing the innovative Chimigen™ platform, which revolutionized vaccine development for chronic infectious diseases like hepatitis B and hepatitis C. By directing both arms of the immune system to attack infections, their patented technology offered promising solutions for treating chronic infections and addressing a global health crisis affecting millions. In 2008, Virexx Medical Corp. was acquired by Paladin Labs Inc.
  • The Biotechnology Training Centre Outreach, led by Dr. Wendy Hutchins, received the ASTech Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness Award for their outstanding efforts in inspiring science and technology engagement throughout the community. Dr. Hutchins’ innovative outreach projects, including DNA forensics workshops and partnerships with high school teachers and students, ignited enthusiasm for biotechnology among thousands of students and re-energized science educators. Through initiatives like the Heritage Youth Researcher Summer program and Let’s Talk Science outreach, the BTC fostered practical experience and excitement for science.
  • Environmental journalist Ed Struzik, author of eight books, was an acclaimed science writer for the Edmonton Journal when he received the ASTech Excellence in Science and Technology Journalism Prize: General Public for his exceptional ability to distill complex environmental issues into engaging and informative articles. Struzik employed keen observation, thorough research, and insightful interviews to shed light on pressing environmental challenges, from the arrival of cougars in Elk Island National Park to the plight of sage grouse in southern Alberta. His contributions have garnered numerous national awards and he is now a fellow of the Queen’s Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy at Queen’s University.
  • Dr. Konrad Walus won the Leaders of Tomorrow award for his groundbreaking work in nanoelectronic technology as a PhD student at the University of Calgary. He developed QCADesigner, a novel computer-aided design tool for evaluating QCA technology’s potential as a replacement for integrated circuits. His innovative approach revolutionized nanoelectronic circuit technology through successful collaborations with research groups worldwide. Dr. Walus is now an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UBC.