The annual Innovation Awards, hosted by the University of Alberta’s Technology Transfer Services (TTS) office, recognize campus innovators who have transformed a groundbreaking discovery into a real-world business, product or service.
“Supporting U of A’s research community as they move discoveries from the lab to the marketplace is a privilege,” says Joanna Preston, director of Technology Transfer Services. "We are thrilled to celebrate the talent, ingenuity and the real-world solutions they bring to light."
TTS provides guidance, intellectual property protection and strategic resources to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial deployment. The ceremony shone a spotlight on the inventors and entrepreneurs supported by TTS throughout the 2025–26 cycle.
This year, 10 spinoff awards were given to researchers who created new companies to commercialize their discoveries. This was the highest number since spinoff awards started in 2018, when 11 companies were created. U of A generates a constant stream of new companies each year, with 123 currently active spinoffs based on patented U of A research.
“The inventive spirit across our campuses continues to push boundaries,” says Bill Flanagan, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Alberta. “Our researchers are addressing some of society’s biggest challenges, and these awards reflect our commitment to translating world-class university research into tangible economic and social benefits for Alberta and the world.”
This year’s Innovation Awards took place during Edmonton Startup Week. The celebration also included an awardees showcase in University Commons. To wrap up the day, TTS hosted a reception and a keynote address by Wyvern co-founder Callie Lissinna (‘21 BSc). Callie shared a candid perspective on building a tech company, and the opportunities the U of A provided to help move Wyvern from idea to commercial reality.
The following faculty, students and staff achieved key commercialization milestones in 2025–26 through granted patents, active IP licences or newly launched spinoff enterprises based on patentable discoveries.
Patents issued (2025-26)
- Dr. Maya Shmulevitz, Dr. Mary Hitt, Adil Mohamed, Dr. Wan Kong Yip for "Oncolytic Reovirus"
- Dr. Keysun Ranjbar for "Percutaneous Prosthetic Device for Replacing a Mitral Valve"
- Dr. Allan Schaefer, Dr. Clover Bench, Dr. Hector Perez Marquez, Hartmut Von Gaza for "Apparatus and Methodologies for Improved Detection of Important Biological States in Animals"
- Dr. Hyo-Jick Choi, Dr. Surjith Kumaran, Dr. Euna Oh for "A Photo-Polymerizable, Universal Antimicrobial Coating to Produce High-Performing, Multi-Functional Face Masks"
- Dr. Yang Liu, Dr. Lei Zhang for "Microbial Assisted Phosphorous Recovery Under Anaerobic Condition"
- Dr. Thomas R. Jones, Dr. Dimitrios Peroulis, Dr. Alden N. Fisher, Dr. Douglas W. Barlage for "Semiconductor System with Waveguide Assembly with RF Signal Impedance Controllable by Applied Electromagnetic Radiation"
Patent licences (2025–26)
- Dr. Steve Bergens, Dr. Jinkun Liu for “Electronically Conductive, Multifunctional Polymer Binder for Highly Active, Stable, and Abundant Composite Electrodes for Oxygen Evolution” to Cipher Neutron Inc.
- Dr. Dean Spaner, Dr. Gurcharn Brar for "HY216-New Wheat Variety 'UA Brynn'" to FP Genetics
- Dr. Scott Dick, Dr. Xingyu Li for “Judging Agent Response Alignment Against Arbitrary Policies” to a major Canadian IT service provider
- Dr. Ian Mann, Dr. Andy Kale for “Access to Real-Time CARISMA Data” to roundLAB Inc. and Xcalibur Smart Mapping
- Dr. Michael Overduin for “Tricephalic Polymers for Complexing Biological Material Within Nanodiscs” to Rane Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Spinoff companies formed (2025–26)
- Dr. Alireza Nouri, Dr. Mahmood Salimi for ABClean Air Solutions Ltd.
- Dr. Alireza Nouri, Dr. Mahmood Salimi for ABClean Energy Inc.
- Dr. Tanay Kumar, Dr. Xuehua Zhang, Yawen Gao for Aqtiva Inc.
- Dr. James Shapiro for DiaCell Therapeutics Inc.
- Guilherme Meira Lima, Dr. Ratmir Derda for Liquid Biotech Solutions Inc.
- Dr. Sayed Ali Khajehoddin, Dr. Mohammad Ebrahimi, Amin Khakparvar for Enerbund Inc.
- Dr. John Lewis for Nanostics Inc.
- Dr. Frank Wuest, Dr. Roger Zemp for OptoBiomeDx Inc.
- Dr. Hao Liang, Dr. Xihua Wang for Quantum Halo Technologies Inc.
- Dr. Gaang Lee, Muhammad Adil, Dr. Qipei Mei, Dr. Vicente Gonzalez-Moret for SenseHuman.AI Inc.