ASTech’s 2016 Winners

Posted on by IT Admin
SafeTracks GPS Canada Inc. received the Societal Impact Award for their innovative use of GPS technology to support individuals with dementia and other cognitive disorders. The Red-Deer-based company developed the TRiLOC™, a wearable and lockable GPS tracking device. Today, SafeTracks™ designs, manufactures and distributes advanced GPS Personal Locator Devices, certified to the highest standards and used to monitor at-risk individuals, including seniors, those with cognitive disorders, PTSD sufferers, and lone workers.
Dr. Ryan Lewinson was honoured with the Leaders of Tomorrow Award for his exceptional achievements in biomechanics and entrepreneurship. Lewinson developed new methods for matching the right footwear to the right person to treat knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome while pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Calgary. Following completion of an MD and residency in dermatology, he continued to build on his passion for personalized healthcare. He is now the CEO and co-founder of All Skin, an innovative skin health platform that applies data science and evidence-based dermatology to match users with skincare products and tailored skincare routines. The free All Skin app is now available.
AlbertaSat  at the University of Alberta, was honoured with the ASTech Special Award for being part of the pioneering QB50 project, a global space mission involving university students from 28 countries. AlbertaSat developed Ex-Alta 1, Alberta’s first satellite, launched to the International Space Station and dispersed into the Earth’s lower thermosphere. This project was not only used to advance the understanding of Earth’s atmosphere, but to foster future scientists through educational sessions provided for Alberta school-age students. Start-up companies were created, and a lead university student on the project became the co-founder and CEO of Wyvern, one of Edmonton’s and Alberta’s first satellite companies. Wyvern is a Finalist for a 2024 ASTech Award. 
Dr. Robert Graf was honoured with the Innovation in Agricultural Science Award for his groundbreaking work in developing winter wheat cultivars that thrive in the challenging conditions of western Canada. Graf expanded winter wheat production from 200,000 to over one million acres by 2014. His innovations include the development of eight new winter wheat cultivars, including Emerson, the first wheat in Canada rated “Resistant” to Fusarium head blight, and AAC Icefield, western Canada’s first hard white winter wheat. Serving as Principal Research Scientist, Winter Wheat Breeding from 1999 until his retirement in 2022 for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre.
Dr. Ian Gates won the Innovation in Oil Sands Research award and has focused  on steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and other low-pressure recovery processes. He has developed new methods to reduce carbon emissions, created innovative software for optimizing oil recovery, and founded Gushor Inc, 2009 Winner for Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology. Dr. Gates is a Professor in Schlich’s Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Director of CFREF, and in 2024 became associate vice-president (research and innovation) at the University of Calgary
Stream Systems Ltd. was awarded the Outstanding Science and Technology Start-Up Award for its innovative software platform that allows businesses, particularly in the oil and gas industry, to optimize operations. The platform functions as a virtual sandbox, enabling companies to simulate changes to their operations without the risk and cost of actual implementation. Founded in 2014 by Dumitru Cernelev and Allan Chegus, it continues to provide simulation software solutions, including Fleet.ai, Plan.ai, and SimOpti, to optimize fleet operations, value chain analysis, and energy transitions in mining and industrial sectors.
Dr. Warren Piers was honoured with the Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Science Award for his pioneering work in organometallic chemistry. Dr.Piers, a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Calgary, has significantly contributed to developing catalytic reactions for creating pharmaceuticals, plastics, and polymers. His  discovery demonstrated the effectiveness of non-metal catalysts and has advanced the field by offering cheaper, more sustainable alternatives. As Canada Research Chair in the Mechanisms of Homogeneous Catalytic Reactions, he continues to shape the future of chemistry, mentoring a new generation of scientists while exploring innovative ways to harness energy from sources beyond petrochemicals.
TransRail Innovation Group (TRIG) was awarded the Innovation in Information and Communications Technology Award for their groundbreaking work enhancing rail transportation safety through their XLOAD™ electronic sensor. This innovative technology uses radar to allow workers to see inside rail cars, accurately measuring remaining materials with 1% accuracy, thereby preventing overfilling, reducing environmental risks, and saving costs.  TRIG continues to provide automated, safe level measurement solutions for rail tank cars and terminals, replacing traditional tools with advanced, configurable technology.
Evolution Engineering Inc. received the Outstanding Achievement in Applied Technology and Innovation Award for revolutionizing oil and gas drilling technology with their innovative measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool, EVO ONE™. The Calgary-based company introduced Unified Telemetry™, a breakthrough communications system that dramatically improves data transmission rates up to 30 times faster than previous methods.
The Alberta Science Network is a charitable organization that has set a national standard for science outreach and was recognized with the Excellence In Science And Technology Public Awareness. For over 30 years, they have facilitated meaningful connections between scientists and students, benefiting over 100,000 students. Their signature program, Scientists & Engineers-in-the-Classroom, inspires students with face-to-face, hands-on science presentations. Also recognized in 1996 for Excellence In Science And Technology Public Awareness.
Dr. Mayank Goyal was awarded the Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology Award for his groundbreaking contributions to stroke treatment, including developing the multiphase computed tomography angiogram (mCTA) and the Brisk Recanalization Ischemic Stroke Kit (BRISK). As a professor at the University of Calgary, Goyal’s innovations have significantly reduced the time required for stroke diagnosis and surgery, thereby saving millions of neurons and improving patient outcomes.