Leading Experts

We are home to leading experts in areas such as health, artificial intelligence, energy, agriculture, food safety & security, nanotechnology, earth's resources, our past, the environment, smart technology and space to name but a few. Pushing the boundaries of knowledge, our researchers drive the discoveries and innovations that improve our lives, our society, our world and shape our future.

Ranked

Top 5

Research Universities in Canada

82

Canada Research Chairs

Great Mentors

From land reclamation and dinosaur experts to speech physiology and artificial intelligence authorities, UAlberta professors offer the mentorship and guidance graduate students need for success.

Arturo Sanchez-Azofeifa, UAlberta professor and principal scientist of the Santa Rosa National Park environmental monitoring supersite in Costa Rica, walks in the tropical dry forest near the site.

Tropical dry forests ‘canary in the coal mine’ on climate change

Environmental monitoring site led by UAlberta researcher provides early warning system on how fragile ecosystems respond to climate change.

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Advanced Facilities

We are home to some of Canada’s, and the world’s, best and most advanced research facilities, equipment and resources. These, along with our strategic networks and partner hospitals, facilitate research across the entire spectrum; from discovery to innovation, to technology development and evidence-based policy-making.

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Bookshelf in library

Libraries

We are home to Canada’s 2nd largest research library, with over 4.7 million titles, 8.7 million volumes, and access to over 1.3 million e-books, over 1,700 databases and over 40,000 items.

Lab in nanoFAB

nanoFAB

A micro/nano fabrication and characterization facility supporting academic and industry R&D. The largest such academic based nanotech centre by active user base and available tools in Canada.

Lab in Alberta Cell Therapy Manufacturing

Alberta Cell Therapy Manufacturing

A multi-use GMP cell therapy manufacturing and training facility. Only such facility in Western Canada & only 1 of 5 in Canada.

Key Research Strengths

Our research spans established and emerging areas and multiple fields including health and life sciences, social sciences, energy, business, computer science, agriculture, AI, humanities and engineering. Our expertise and strength attract over $500 million annually from various research funders and partners including federal and provincial government, industry, foundations and other organizations.

$500+

Million

Annual Research Funding

Biochemistry professor Marek Michalak

Surprise finding could lead to new MS treatments

Researchers identify the overabundance of a specific protein in the brain of people who have MS; next step is to figure out the protein’s role and possibly develop therapies.

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Amirreza Sohrabi (left) and Parmiss Mojir Shaibani with their prototype for a handheld sensor that can detect E. coli bacteria in water much sooner than current methods.

How two UAlberta researchers are introducing water testing ‘in a box’ to Canada’s rural market

Roshan Water Solutions was born out of UAlberta student research, accelerated by mentorship and supported by new streams of funding.

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Education researcher George Georgiou

Program dramatically improves reading of at-risk students at an early age

In only two years, researchers were able to reduce number of Grade 1 children with reading difficulties from 290 to 7.

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Innovation & Commercialization

One of the ways UAlberta serves the public is by transferring its research, knowledge and discoveries out of the institution and into the community. In so doing, we help ensure our research and innovations have the greatest reach and impact on both society and the economy. That transfer is conducted via commercialization.

TEC Edmonton

Our dedicated commercialization arm and business accelerator is TEC Edmonton—a non-profit joint venture between the university and the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation.

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8

Spinoff Companies Created

100

Active Spinoffs

55

US Patents Granted

26

License/Options Executed

University of Alberta tech transfer activities via TEC Edmonton for April 2017-March 2018

Entrepreneurship @ UAlberta

Entrepreneurship @ UAlberta provides education, support and extensive mentorship for the University of Alberta students to help them become entrepreneurial thinkers.

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Spinoffs and Startups

A University spinoff is a business founded by researchers to enhance the results of their own research activity and scientific knowledge, in which the University of Alberta may be a partner.

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Services, Resources & Support

Interim VP Research

Dr. Walter Dixon

Dr. Walter Dixon

The Office of Vice-President (Research) supports UAlberta’s large and complex research and innovation enterprise. Led by Interim Vice-President Walter Dixon, the portfolio works across the university, and with external partners and stakeholders, to provide leadership, support and services to the university’s research community, across all stages of research and innovation, across five campuses and in conjunction with our partner hospitals, sponsors and partners. The portfolio also plays a key role in fostering, developing and supporting major research initiatives and partnerships.

Office of VP Research