Eight Canadian innovators have been recognized for game-changing contributions across diverse fields.
Their work ranges from a first-of-its-kind remote ultrasound device and a novel fungi-based therapeutic for neurodegenerative diseases, to a monitoring system that enables mine operators to ‘see’ inside tailings dams and a low-cost rainwater-powered disinfection solution to deliver clean water to rural areas.
The awards — announced at an event at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on November 19 — are presented by Mitacs, a leading innovation organization in Canada that connects businesses and researchers to drive competitiveness and productivity in sectors such as digital technology, artificial intelligence, energy, sustainable solutions, and advanced manufacturing. The ceremony included four awards for Outstanding Innovation as well as individual awards honouring the Inclusive Innovator of the Year, Canadian Start-Up Innovator of the Year, Canadian Enterprise Innovator of the Year, and the award for Outstanding Research Leadership.
The Mitacs Innovation Awards celebrate Canada’s top talent — students, professors and enterprises who are driving research and development and a thriving Canadian economy through their partnership with Mitacs. Mitacs programs are supported by funding from the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments across the country.
The 2024 Mitacs Innovation Award winners are:
Dr. Timsy Bhando, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University, is earning a Mitacs Innovation Award — Outstanding Innovation for her cutting-edge work to develop new, natural drugs to improve brain health, including the discovery of a novel fungi compound that is showing therapeutic potential for treating neurodegenerative disease and depression. She is credited for discovering KCB-100, a lead chemical compound with huge potential in treating neurodegenerative (the decline of cells in the central nervous system) and psychiatric conditions, which is being led by Vancouver-based Kapoose Creek Bio, a startup focused on accelerating the discovery and development of drugs from nature.
David Black, a University of British Columbia PhD student in the Department of Electrical and Computing Engineering, who is earning a Mitacs Innovation Award — Outstanding Innovation for his groundbreaking work to develop a mixed reality, immersive environment remote ultrasound system that makes it easier and more affordable for Canadians to receive ultrasound procedures without having to travel far distances to a medical centre. His novel innovation includes a compact tele-ultrasound system that allows a novice to perform an ultrasound on a patient while being guided by an expert sonographer or radiologist from a remote location.
Dr. Susanne Ouellet, a University of Calgary postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Earth, Energy and Environment, who is earning a Mitacs Innovation Award — Outstanding Innovation for her work to increase mine safety by developing an advanced monitoring system that allows mine operators to ‘see’ how tailings dams are performing before problems occur. The state-of-the-art monitoring solution uses distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology, which turns industry-standard fibre optic cables into a series of highly sensitive sensors capable of detecting changes in strain, temperature and seismic disturbances in tailings dams. Once installed, the cable sends information in real-time so geotechnical engineers can learn more about where and when problems are occurring.
Dr. Nazanin Vafaei, a University of Manitoba postdoctoral researcher at the Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research, who is earning a Mitacs Innovation Award — Outstanding Innovation for developing a sustainable method for extracting high-quality oils and producing a solvent-free canola meal that doesn’t have any residual oil and is ideal for use in the plant-based protein industry. Her approach — which produces sustainable cooking oils and high-protein meals — is unique because she’s applying techniques that up until now have only been used for producing essential oils or decaffeinated coffees in North America. They also result in a 99.9% oil yield, leaving a dry, high-quality plant protein behind that is an excellent source for meat alternatives and other emerging plant-based foods.
Dr. Paul Onkundi Nyangaresi, an Environmental Engineering and Electronic Science Technologist and postdoctoral researcher in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of British Columbia, who is earning the Mitacs Innovation Award — Inclusive Innovator of the Year for developing a first-of-its-kind low-cost, simple water disinfection system fueled by collected rainwater that is successfully being used by students and teachers at a school in Kenya. Working with the local community, Dr. Nyangaresi devised a water treatment solution that suits their culture and way of life, while applying his cutting-edge knowledge of emerging water treatment technologies such as ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED) disinfection. His work has potential applications within Indigenous communities in Canada.
Marine Queffeulou, a Université Laval PhD student at the Infectious Disease Research Centre, is earning the Mitacs Innovation Award — Canadian Start-Up Innovator of the Year for her outstanding effort to launch and rapidly scale Kalego Solutions, a start-up company focused on delivering next-generation plasma technology to enhance the characteristics of any flat surface or material. This includes an anti-fog treatment to keep the lenses of endoscopes clear during medical procedures — a long-time industry challenge. Queffeulou is being honoured as CEO of Kalego, a company she co-founded with biomaterials expert Jacopo Profili. The company is now developing a simple, yet permanent, anti-fog coating for endoscopes and to solve other industrial challenges.
Dr. Bishnu Acharya, Associate Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, is earning the Mitacs Innovation Award — Outstanding Research Leadership for his role in developing a cutting-edge solution to an emerging problem: what to do with all of the canola meal that is left over after oil extraction. Applying his expertise in areas of bioprocessing and conversion — methods for turning waste into useful end-products — Dr. Acharya is leading a research effort to turn canola meal into a low-cost, nutrient-dense feed for microbes used in fermentation, the fastest growing segment of the North American biotechnology sector aimed at supporting new foods, beverages, medicines and other applications.
Thales Canada, global artificial intelligence leader, is earning the Mitacs Innovation Award — Canadian Enterprise Innovator of the Year for its pioneering work to deliver world-class AI solutions that are transparent, understandable and ethical while maintaining humans as the principal decision-makers. Through its CortAIx Labs in Canada, Thales is working to bring augmented technology (AI to assist humans rather than replace them) to advanced systems for defense, security, aerospace, cybersecurity and digital identity.
In congratulating the winners, Mitacs’s CEO Dr. Stephen Lucas reflected on the organization’s long history and proven track record as a Canadian innovation leader. “Not only do these awards recognize achievements of exceptional innovators across Canada, but they also highlight the infinite potential for impact when creative leaders work together,” Dr. Lucas said.
“As Mitacs celebrates 25 years as a leader in Canadian innovation, we reaffirm our belief that partnerships between research, enterprises, and talent — like the ones we honour with the Mitacs Innovation Awards — are key to a successful, prosperous Canada,” he said.
For more information about the Mitacs awards and a full list of winners, visit www.mitacs.ca/newsroom.
About Mitacs
As Canada’s innovation organization, Mitacs connects businesses and researchers with unrivaled access to talent, financial support, and the partnerships needed to turn ideas into impactful innovations. Through unique collaborations, Mitacs is driving productivity and positioning Canada as a global innovation leader.
Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.
