Human well-being, the environment and leading-edge use of nanotechnology highlighted the ASTech Foundation’s 13th annual gala last Friday in Edmonton.

Fifteen awards and prizes were handed out to individuals and companies at the event, which recognized outstanding achievements in science and technology in Alberta. “There is a lot of excellent science and technology in Alberta, and this event highlights and celebrates the ground-breaking achievements made by the high-tech industries and world-renowned researchers in Alberta,” said Carmen Forster, chair of the ASTech Foundation.

New for 2002 is the Outstanding Achievement in Applied Technology and Innovation Award, given to an individual or team who have made a significant contribution through the discovery, application and implementation of technology products or processes.

The first recipients are the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), Pipe Flow Technology Centre Team for developing new technology for Alberta’s energy industry.

Other ASTech award recipients are:

* Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Science Award: Dr. Samuel Weiss, University of Calgary. Made a significant medical discovery that allows for the generation of new brain cells.

* Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology Award: Dr. Jed Harrison, University of Alberta. A pioneer in the miniaturization of instrumentation for biochemical and genetic analysis.

* Leaders of Tomorrow Award (under 30 years
of age): Dr. Michael Kallos, the University of Calgary.

Researches neural stem cells – helping treat diseases such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. Talib Rajwani, University of Alberta. Looking for the cause of scoliosis, a spinal disorder, in adolescents.

* Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology Award (gross sales less than $25 million per annum): Micralyne Inc. Specializes in microtechnology used in the telecommunication, biosystem, aerospace and automotive industries.

* Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology Award (gross sales more than $25 million per annum): SMART Technologies Inc. Develops intuitive and interactive multi-media tools for the office and classroom.

* Outstanding Contribution to the Alberta Science and Technology Community Award: Andrew W. Gilliland, NRC National Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Alberta. Recognized for significant vision and dedication to building a thriving innovation community in Alberta.

* The Al-Pac/ASTech Innovation in Integrated Landscape Management Prize: Dr. Brad Stelfox, Forum Technologies, Bragg Creek. Developed a method of evaluating the environmental impact of human land uses and natural activities.

* NRC/ASTech Innovation in Industrial Research Prize (north of Red Deer): BigBangwidth Inc., Edmonton. Increases the efficiency of data transmission over fibreoptic networks.

* NRC/ASTech Innovation in Industrial Research Prize (Red Deer and south): SemBioSys Genetics Inc., Calgary. Pushing the frontiers of biotechnology by changing the way proteins are made.

* The Syncrude/ASTech Innovation in Oil Sands Research Prize: Dr. Keng Chung, Edmonton. A renowned senior researcher with a broad perspective on oilsands operations.

* The AVAC/ASTech Innovation in Agricultural Science Prize: Dr. Allen Good, University of Alberta. Helping farmers’ ability to improve their crops by researching plant adaptation to environmental stresses.

* Excellence in Science and Technology Journalism: General Public Prize: Editorial Team, Alberta Venture Magazine. Recognizes and celebrates technological advancement and achievements in Alberta.

* The Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness Prize: “Pi in the Sky.” Helping promote mathematics to high-school students.

The 14th annual ASTech Awards gala (www.astech.ab.ca) will be held Oct. 10, 2003, at The Roundup Centre in Calgary.