Now Innovating
This series from the University of Calgary shares the stories of researchers who have moved their discoveries forward and their innovation journeys to implementation and creating impact. This series aims to inspire researchers and community partners to take new steps toward transforming discoveries into solutions, products, and services. Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the Innovation@UCalgary ecosystem: https://ucalgary.ca/innovation
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Now Innovating: The Past, Present, and Future of Innovation at UCalgary
04/25/2024
Now Innovating: The Past, Present, and Future of Innovation at UCalgary
In this episode we speak with Dr. Stephen Larter, UCalgary’s outgoing Associate Vice-President (Research and Innovation), and a Professor in the Department of Earth Energy and Environment in the Faculty of Science. Steve takes us back to 2004, talking about the state of innovation from when he first arrived at the University of Calgary twenty years ago to how the ecosystem has connected and grown. We also discuss what is currently happening in the innovation space, and what he hopes to see within the next five years. We also take the opportunity to get to know Steve better by playing a game together. This episode is also available as a fully captioned and transcribed video that you can watch here: Listen to the previous Now Innovating podcast episode with Steve Larter on the culture of innovation, available on all podcast services: Learn more about Ahead of Tomorrow - UCalgary’s 2023-2030 Strategic Plan: Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the UCalgary innovation ecosystem:
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Now Innovating: Moving and thriving with Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed
03/21/2024
Now Innovating: Moving and thriving with Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed, PhD, a professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and director of the Health and Wellness Lab. Her research is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those impacted by cancer through the development of movement-based programs. We learn more about her research in the with the ACE and EXCEL programs to make exercise part of standard cancer care. We discuss the development and operation of the , a social innovation which offers evidence-based exercise oncology programming for pediatric, young adult, and adults living with cancer, and their support persons. We also touch on what it means to be a social innovator, being open to learning new things, and that “your ego is not your amigo.” This is one of two episodes this season spotlighting research-to-impact within the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Kinesiology, one of the top sport-science schools in North America. Thanks to a generous , the Faculty of Kinesiology will expand and elevate its human performance, movement and sport science research and education program. ---- . Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the . This episode is also available as a video that you can .
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Now Innovating: Improving Balance and Mobility with Dr. Ryan Peters
03/21/2024
Now Innovating: Improving Balance and Mobility with Dr. Ryan Peters
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Ryan Peters, PhD, an associate professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and His research explores the neural control of balance and mobility that has led to the commercialization of a wearable technology to support balance impairments in older adults, athletes, and astronauts. We learn more about our neural systems and how they affect our control of movement, and discuss Ryan’s innovation journey, including the patent process and overcoming the fear of failure in academia. This is one of two episodes this season spotlighting research-to-impact within the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Kinesiology, one of the top sport-science schools in North America. Thanks to a generous , the Faculty of Kinesiology will expand and elevate its human performance, movement and sport science research and education program. __ . Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the . This episode is also available as a video that you can .
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Now Innovating: How 3 startups are turning the tables for the brewing, energy & life sciences industries
02/29/2024
Now Innovating: How 3 startups are turning the tables for the brewing, energy & life sciences industries
In this episode, we speak with founders from three startup companies that were part of the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking’s inaugural Summer Accelerator cohort: , and . The is a 12-week program designed to help UCalgary community startups continue to build and develop their companies, validate their business, and leverage resources in the UCalgary ecosystem. The three startups featured in this episode are comprised of UCalgary graduate students, alumni, and a former postdoctoral scholar. We will learn more about the research behind each of their companies, and the potential impacts of their technologies on their respective industries. We will also explore how the UCalgary innovation ecosystem has supported them on their entrepreneurial paths, including Hunter Hub resources such as the Summer Accelerator, , and the . --- Listen to to learn more about Molecular Organic Frameworks and the technology behind TurnCO2 with Dr. George Shimizu.
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Now Innovating with Parex Resources Innovation Fellowships
12/06/2023
Now Innovating with Parex Resources Innovation Fellowships
In this episode, we explore the experiences of the Parex Resources Innovation Fellowships that provide resources for UCalgary faculty researchers to concentrate on innovative projects that positively impact society. This spans a wide spectrum, including technological advancements, social initiatives, and novel approaches to addressing complex challenges. We speak with Belinda Heyne, a professor in the Department of Chemistry, and a former Parex Fellow about her innovation journey to advance a discovery, the risk she took to pursue a startup company, and how she has applied these learnings to her current research and teaching practices. We will also hear from Houston Peschl, a current Parex Fellow in the Haskayne School of Business, about his research in regenerative agriculture, and Pierre Kennepohl will tell us more about the opportunity the Parex fellowships can provide to all UCalgary faculty.
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Now Innovating with LyfeMD and UCeed
11/17/2023
Now Innovating with LyfeMD and UCeed
In our season 5 premiere, we are celebrating UCeed, a series of early-stage investment funds, backed by philanthropic support from the University of Calgary and managed by Innovate Calgary. We speak with Lorian Taylor of LyfeMD, an evidence-based application to support diet and lifestyle solutions developed by health professionals. This social enterprise out of the University of Calgary has received investment from UCeed’s social impact fund. We will also hear from Pete Santosham to learn more about UCeed and the impacts it has had in only three short years. Learn more about the Learn more about . The main interview for this episode was recorded at Innovate Calgary’s . To learn more visit: Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the . This episode is also available as a video that you can .
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Now Innovating with Dr. Chris Hugenholtz, Thomas Barchyn, and the PoMELO Emissions Management System
07/06/2023
Now Innovating with Dr. Chris Hugenholtz, Thomas Barchyn, and the PoMELO Emissions Management System
In our season 4 finale, we chat with Dr. Chris Hugenholtz, PhD, and Thomas Barchyn from the Faculty of Art’s Department of Geography. They are behind the technology and the research program for PoMELO, a vehicle-based methane emissions management system for the upstream oil and gas sector. They discuss how their research and technology for detecting methane emissions, a greenhouse gas, is an important step to help mitigate climate change. We also discuss their innovation journey and the decision to license their technology through the university versus creating a startup company. . .
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Now Innovating with Dr. Viola Birss, Chengying Ai, Dr. Anand Singh and Solutions for Energy Transition
06/08/2023
Now Innovating with Dr. Viola Birss, Chengying Ai, Dr. Anand Singh and Solutions for Energy Transition
This episode, we chat with Dr. Viola Birss, PhD, a professor emerita in the Faculty of Science’s Department of Chemistry and co-founder of SeeO2 Energy. She is joined by collaborators, Chengying (Arlene) Ai and Dr. Anand Singh, PhD, whose research with Viola has led to the creation of two start-up companies, Momentum Materials Solutions and BlissEarth Energy Research. They discuss how their research in electrochemistry and nanomaterials has led to applications that support clean energy transition, including the conversion of CO2 to clean fuels and chemicals, and green hydrogen and natural gas utilization. Learn more about the University of Calgary’s future-focused programs, world-class energy research, and opportunities to engage with us at the
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Now Innovating with Dr. Anderson Hoff and printed organic solar cells
05/25/2023
Now Innovating with Dr. Anderson Hoff and printed organic solar cells
This episode, we chat with Dr. Anderson Hoff, PhD, a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science. Anderson discusses how his research in new organic compounds and large-area coating of functional films has led to advanced printing techniques for flexible organic photovoltaics (or solar cells). He shares about the potential impacts of this technology for the energy industry and how it has started him on an innovation journey towards commercialization. Learn more about . Learn more about the University of Calgary’s future-focused programs, world-class energy research, and opportunities to engage with us at the . Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the .
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Now Innovating with Dr. Sandra Davidson in nursing culture, practice, and education
05/11/2023
Now Innovating with Dr. Sandra Davidson in nursing culture, practice, and education
This episode, we chat with Dr. Sandra Davidson, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing. As a registered nurse, professor, and creative innovator, she understands the important role Canadian nurses play in innovating for good. Sandra discusses the culture of innovation in the practice of nursing, and what nurses have to offer in the realm of health care innovation, and how they can become leaders in this space. Sandra also discusses the importance of continuous innovation in education programming and speaks to the graduate programs at the Faculty of Nursing and how they are offered online to increase access for practicing nurses and clinicians to support evidence-based practice in health care.
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Now Innovating with Dr. Kathleen Sitter and Multisensory Storytelling
04/25/2023
Now Innovating with Dr. Kathleen Sitter and Multisensory Storytelling
This episode we chat with Dr. Kathleen Sitter, PhD, an associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary, and a Canada Research Chair in Multisensory Research and Knowledge Translation. Kathy discusses centering accessibility in her research, and the social innovation model she has implemented into the community to create inclusive digital stories. She also shares the thought behind the design of the future Multisensory Research Storytelling Studio and the impact this space will have on conducting inclusive research and for the disability community. . .
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Now Innovating with Dr. George Shimizu and Solutions for Carbon Capture
02/24/2023
Now Innovating with Dr. George Shimizu and Solutions for Carbon Capture
This episode we chat with Dr. George Shimizu, PhD, a professor of inorganic chemistry in the Faculty of Science. George discusses how his research led to the development of a unique carbon capture technology and how its impact was demonstrated through research partnerships with industry. He also shares his experience with licensing his technology, mentoring students to encourage innovative ideas and finding the right partners for both. .
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Now Innovating with Dr. Chad Bousman of Sequence2Script
01/26/2023
Now Innovating with Dr. Chad Bousman of Sequence2Script
This episode we chat with Dr. Chad Bousman, PhD, an associate professor in the Cumming School of Medicine and CEO and Founder of Sequence2Script. Chad discusses how his research and entrepreneurial paths aligned for his innovation journey, the mentorship programs that have supported him, and finding the market for his digital innovation that translates pharmacogenomics data for better prescribing practices. . . To explore participation in the PGx-SParK study or other research studies at the University of Calgary, visit:
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Now Innovating with Julia Imanoff
12/06/2022
Now Innovating with Julia Imanoff
This episode we chat with Julia Imanoff, a PhD Candidate in the Faculty of Nursing, and co-founder and COO of the Brief Crisis Therapy Institute. Julia discusses how her passion for supporting mental health is forefront of her clinical practice and research, which led her to pursue social innovation. She shares her insights into what success of a social innovation looks like. She also provides advice and supports for others looking to have an impact outside of their clinical practice and research to address a social problem. . . . .
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Now Innovating with Dr. Stephanie Bishop & Dr. Mehdi Mohammadi of Fluidome
11/17/2022
Now Innovating with Dr. Stephanie Bishop & Dr. Mehdi Mohammadi of Fluidome
Recorded at the University of Calgary's Alberta Centre for Advanced Diagnostics (ACAD), we chat with Dr. Stephanie Bishop, PhD, & Dr. Mehdi Mohammadi, PhD, post doctoral associates in the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science. They share their innovation journey of how their research and expertise in metabolomics led to the creation of their company, Fluidome.
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Impact Now: Tool Helps Diagnose Blood Infections
05/13/2022
Impact Now: Tool Helps Diagnose Blood Infections
Some 200,000 Canadians are diagnosed annually with bloodstream infections. About 8,000 of these patients will die from sepsis and other complications. With treatment timelines often being a factor, Faculty of Science biochemist Dr. Ian Lewis, PhD, is leading a team of researchers to develop a rapid diagnostic tool. The team hopes to reduce diagnostic timelines in order to get life-saving treatment to people faster. Ian shares his insight into this work being done in his lab.
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Impact Now: UCalgary Medical Students Break Barriers in Providing Care for Immigrant Patients
05/06/2022
Impact Now: UCalgary Medical Students Break Barriers in Providing Care for Immigrant Patients
Julia Robertson, Katherine Yu, Ashna Maredia, and Zach Hong are third year students in their undergraduate medical education at the Cumming School of Medicine. The team of innovators joins the podcast this week to discuss their online tool that is designed to help immigrant patients prepare for their doctor’s appointment. Through recent focus groups, the team learned that communicating with a doctor can be one of the most difficult parts of navigating the healthcare system for those who are new to Canada. is the result of these findings.
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Impact Now: Virtual Startup Weekend
04/29/2022
Impact Now: Virtual Startup Weekend
Craig Elias shares details of the upcoming Virtual Startup Weekend hosted by 150 Startups. The event is intended for those looking to find success in business. Attendees will take part in an online learning weekend where they will be placed on teams and led by some of Alberta's most promising first-time entrepreneurs to learn how to validate business ideas. Participants will also compete in a pitch competition for prizes. Register Equity seeking groups can contact Craig at 403-874-2998
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Impact Now: Innovations in Arctic Food Production
04/22/2022
Impact Now: Innovations in Arctic Food Production
Dr. Henry Penn, PhD, shares details of the upcoming growing season at an off-grid hydroponic food production unit located at the Kluane Lake Research Station (KLRS) 200 kilometres northwest of Whitehorse, Yukon. This will be the second growing season at Ag1054, which provided 300+ kg of fresh produce for sale to local communities in 2021. Henry's team has made some improvements to the Ag1054 unit in advance of this second growing season, including a updated HVAC system to better align with the temperatures experienced at KLRS. Henry describes the innovative processes that have shaped the evolving research project. Researchers, postdocs or students interested in research opportunities at Ag1054 can contact Dr. Henry Penn at .
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Impact Now: Pursuing Innovations in Medical Overdiagnosis
04/15/2022
Impact Now: Pursuing Innovations in Medical Overdiagnosis
Dr. Eddy Lang, MD, is an emergency room doctor and the department head of Emergency Medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine. He is helping plan a major international conference on overdiagnosis coming to Calgary June 9-12, 2022. The conference will include international experts in the field of over-diagnosis and is open to the general public. Dr. Lang shares his thoughts on the innovative processes unfolding in regards to medical overdiagnosis while discussing what to expect at the Preventing Overdiagnosis conference.
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Impact Now: Applications Open for Innovation Fellowships
04/08/2022
Impact Now: Applications Open for Innovation Fellowships
Applications are currently open for two innovation fellowships. The Parex Resources Innovation Fellowships are open to researchers from across the university who are immersed in academic research and community partnerships leading to start-ups or technology advancement based on new discoveries, insights, and innovation. The Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded to postdoctoral fellows with a track record of innovation activities. Innovation activities refers to translating research results into societal impact. Working with non-academic research partners, creating a start-up, working with innovation organizations and engaging with government and not for profit organizations on policy development are all examples of innovation activities. Pierre Kennepohl, Interim Associate Dean for Innovation and Strategic Programs in the Faculty of Science, joins us with details for those interested in applying. Questions? Contact Pierre:
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The Feminist Economy with Shelley Kuipers
03/29/2022
The Feminist Economy with Shelley Kuipers
We speak with Shelley Kuipers in the final episode of season 2. Shelley is an activist in business, entrepreneurship and investment and is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of The51. The51 is a financial feminist platform that brings together women-led capital for women-led businesses to build mutual wealth and community impact. This includes the Financial Feminism Investing Lab at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. Shelley shares how her team to trying to further bolster the financial feminist economy.
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Entrepreneurial Thinking with Keri Damen
03/22/2022
Entrepreneurial Thinking with Keri Damen
In episode 19 we speak with Keri Damen, Executive Director of the Hunter Hub at UCalgary. In this role, Keri leads mentorship in entrepreneurial thinking at UCalgary. She is dedicated to connecting and growing the university's entrepreneurial thinking and innovation community to ensure students from all disciplines have the skills and experience necessary to succeed in the next economy. Through this, UCalgary is creating the ventures of the future. The Hunter Hub is also set to host the first Entrepreneurial Thinking Week at UCalgary, taking place from March 28 to April 1, 2022. For more information on events visit: https://www.ucalgary.ca/hunter-hub
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Advice Worth Revisiting with Jordan Witzel
03/15/2022
Advice Worth Revisiting with Jordan Witzel
In episode 18, we revisit many of the incredible conversations we have had on [now innovating]. We launched this podcast from the Office of the Vice President (Research) in the fall of 2021 with the intention of engaging incredible changemakers in our community. We believe conversations with those who have both failed and succeeded in innovation and entrepreneurship can help the next generation of changemakers move into this space with confidence. The idea this week is that we return to some of the best advice we’ve heard from our guests to date. Call it a greatest-hits episode but this is advice worth revisiting!
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Early-Stage Mentorship with Adam Pidlisecky
03/08/2022
Early-Stage Mentorship with Adam Pidlisecky
In episode 17, we speak with Dr. Adam Pidlisecky, PhD, an Associate Professor in the Department of Geoscience at UCalgary and the Associate Department Head of Strategy and Innovation. Adam is leading the Academic Entrepreneur in Residence (AEIR) program as a pilot opportunity for those researchers in the early stages of innovation and entrepreneurship. The AEIR program is aimed at making it easier for researchers to develop innovation concepts while helping them engage with the broader innovation ecosystem available at the University. Adam discusses what it takes to overcome fears of risk in entrepreneurship and outlines how interested individuals and teams can get involved with the AEIR program. Contact Adam: [email protected]
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Finding Validation in Your Work with Craig Ginn
03/01/2022
Finding Validation in Your Work with Craig Ginn
We speak with Dr. Craig Ginn, PhD, in episode 16. Craig is a Professor of Metis ancestry in the Department of Classics and Religion at the University of Calgary. His Songs of Justice Project more recently evolved into the Animal Kinship Project. This socially innovative work has taken Craig into the Evolve to Innovate (e2i) program at Innovate Calgary (more information on this program can be found in episode 11 with John Wilson). Craig shares details on how his perspective on audience has changed since being a part of e2i. He also shares insight into how his perspective of himself and his work has evolved since being in the program. Those songs heard on the podcast are Wonders of the Sky and Travel Without Me.
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The Opportunity in Entrepreneurship with Derrick Hunter
02/22/2022
The Opportunity in Entrepreneurship with Derrick Hunter
In this episode, we speak with Derrick Hunter, President and CEO of Bluesky Equities. Derrick is an active champion for entrepreneurial thinking, chairing the external advisory committee of the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking and a member of the external advisory committee of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Calgary. He sits on the board of directors for Platform Calgary and serves on the Dean’s Board at the Haskayne School of Business. Derrick's dedication to entrepreneurship and the innovation ecosystem has been acknowledged through awards like the Management Alumni Excellence Award from the Haskayne School of Business in 2018. He was also named Canadian Angel Investor of the Year by the National Angel Capital Organization in 2019, and Technology Investor of the year by Start Alberta in 2019. Derrick shares his insight into the partnerships between academia and the broader community, discussing opportunities for entrepreneurship and measurements for success in the innovation economy.
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The Innovation Ecosystem with Alice Reimer
02/15/2022
The Innovation Ecosystem with Alice Reimer
In this episode, we speak with Alice Reimer who is the Site Lead at Creative Destruction Labs Rockies (CDL) in Calgary. Alice is a successful entrepreneur, previously co-founding Evoco which has become the standard construction management system for global retailers including Walmart, Home Depot, and Staples. Alice has also served as CEO of Chaordix, a pioneering software leader in the crowdsourcing and open innovation space, with global clients including LEGO, Procter & Gamble, KPMG, and IBM. Alice was the recipient of PROFIT’s W100 designation as one of Canada’s Top Female Entrepreneurs and was named one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People for 2013. Alice shares her insight into what type of team is well suited to join the program at CDL and how these teams should approach the scaling up phase.
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A Startup Mindset with Dr. Ryan Todd
02/08/2022
A Startup Mindset with Dr. Ryan Todd
Episode 13 features a conversation with Headversity CEO Dr. Ryan Todd. Headversity is a workplace mobile platform that allows organizations to put the mental health of employees back into their hands. Dr. Todd's entrepreneurial business stands alongside his many other endeavours which collectively aim to redefine how psychiatric services are provided in Canada. He shares his insights into taking on entrepreneurship fresh out of medical school and offers advice gained from his own failures and successes.
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Impact Now: SPARK Calgary's Digital Health Innovation Program is Accepting Applications for Cohort 3
02/04/2022
Impact Now: SPARK Calgary's Digital Health Innovation Program is Accepting Applications for Cohort 3
Dr. Scott Kraft and Nicola Quiggin join the podcast to share details of the current application process for the third SPARK Calgary cohort. The SPARK program is based at the W21C Research and Innovation Centre. SPARK Calgary supports academic digital health innovators move their projects forward into clinical practice, with the primary aim of benefitting patients. It is a one year program with a 5 hours/month time commitment. Participants receive expert advice, education, and connections to resources. The application information session is being held online on February 4 from noon to 1:00pm. Register for the session here:
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