ASTech’s 2017 Winners

Posted on by IT Admin
Dr. Lori West received the Outstanding Leadership In Alberta Science award for her pioneering work in transplant immunology. Most notably, in 1996, she led the world’s first blood type mismatch heart transplant for infants. This procedure revolutionized pediatric heart transplants, significantly lowering mortality rates for infants awaiting transplants. As a professor at the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, her research spans organ donation and transplantation, focusing on improving long-term patient outcomes. Dr. West has been awarded the Order of Canada and inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
Interface Fluidics Inc. received the Outstanding Science and Technology Start-Up Award for revolutionizing oil and gas testing with its microfluidic “reservoir-on-a-chip” technology. Led by CEO Stuart Kinnear, their innovative solution delivers rapid, accurate data compared to traditional methods, increasing the success rate of field pilots. Interface Fluidics provides advanced fluid testing solutions to help energy companies optimize performance, reduce costs, and protect assets by delivering critical insights into fluid behaviour under extreme industrial conditions.
The Schulich School of Engineering Education Outreach Team won the Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness Award for engaging young students with innovative engineering concepts. Led by faculty members Dr. Laleh Behjat, Dr. Milana Trifkovic, Dr. Mohammad Moshirpour, and graduate students, the team designs interactive programs that connect K-9 students with math, science, and coding. Their initiatives inspire future engineers, foster excitement about STEM fields, and successfully combat gender biases by providing positive role models for young students.
BioNeutra North America Inc. won the Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology for its success with VitaFiber™ IMO, a natural low-calorie sweetener with digestive health benefits. Led by Dr. Jianhua Zhu, 2021 Winner: Innovator of the Year,   the Edmonton-based company product  VitaFiber™ has been incorporated into various products worldwide, positioning BioNeutra as a leader in health-focused food alternatives.
Dr. Kristen Barton received the Leaders of Tomorrow Award for contributing to joint injury prevention and rehabilitation research. Inspired by her experience with knee injuries as a former athlete, Barton’s research focuses on joint biomechanics, using advanced tools to study post-injury kinematics. Barton’s work focuses on understanding the impact of sports injuries on disease progression, helping with pain and mobility caused by osteoarthritis. She is an adjunct assistant professor at the Faculty of Kinesiology and an associate member of the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health at the University of Calgary. 
Metabolomic Technologies Inc. (MTI) won the Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology Award for developing PolypDx, a groundbreaking urine test that detects polyps, the precursors to colon cancer. Led by the late Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta, Dr. Richard Fedorak and Dr. Haili Wang, MTI offers a less invasive and highly effective screening alternative, increasing compliance rates to over 90%. 
Dr. Mohamed Gamal El-Din received the Innovation in Oil Sands Research Award for developing sustainable solutions to treat and reclaim oil sands process-affected water. As a professor at the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Alberta, his research focuses on active and passive reclamation strategies using physical, chemical, and biological processes to detoxify water stored in tailings ponds. His innovations aim to reduce environmental impact, recycle water, and support sustainable oil sands development, providing long-term solutions for Alberta’s oil and gas industry.
Leara eLearning received the Outstanding Achievement in Information and Communications Technology Award for their innovative Respond5 platform. This multi-device content authoring tool enables educators and trainers to deliver educational content to learners across devices seamlessly. Today, Leara is a full-service e-learning company specializing in course development, LMS implementation, and instructional design.
Dr. Christopher Clarkson, a professor at the Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, was recognized for the Outstanding Achievement In Applied Technology And Innovation award for his adapting rate-transient analysis (RTA) methods for unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. His research addresses the complexities of fluid storage and flow in unconventional reservoirs, providing crucial insights into well planning, hydraulic fracturing, and production forecasting. Clarkson’s innovations enable the oil and gas industry to operate more efficiently by refining traditional RTA techniques.
Sophia Fairweather received the ASTech Special Award for her remarkable contributions to science and technology, becoming a prominent young ambassador for STEM in Alberta. At just nine years old, she founded StartupBySophia.com, where she developed innovative products, including FunCro and Windshield Band-aid. Sophia is deeply committed to encouraging young people, especially girls, to pursue STEM through mentorship, community involvement, and global policy advisement. Other recognitions include the Canada 150 Women of Inspiration Award, the AManning Innovation Award Alberta, and the TECVenture Award.