SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN – The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) honoured businesses and individuals at the first annual Science, Technology, Innovation and Collaboration (STIC) Awards, which was celebrated in Saskatoon on November 16 at Louis Loft.
“Last night’s awards presentation was a celebration of the outstanding people in our science and technology cluster and the pioneering projects and products being created right here in the Saskatoon Region,” said Alex Fallon, President and CEO of SREDA. “These innovations add value to the local economy by creating jobs, wealth and knowledge, and positioning the Saskatoon Region as a global competitor. The caliber of the 2016 STIC finalists and winners clearly demonstrates the Saskatoon Region is a hub for science and technology innovations.”
The 2016 STIC Award winners are:
PROJECT AWARD – Development of a vaccine for Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization – International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac)
University of Saskatchewan
In less than a year, University of Saskatchewan scientists have developed and tested a prototype vaccine that could protect the North American swine industry from a virus that has killed more than eight million pigs and costs more than $400 million in lost income since 2013.
PRODUCT AWARD – Variation Designer
Solido Design Automation
Solido’s software enables the creation of electronic chips with optimal performance (to improve chip speed), power (to improve battery life), area (to reduce chip size) and yield (to reduce chip manufacturing cost). Solido’s software is faster, more accurate, and more scalable than its competitors based in USA, Germany and China.
TEAM AWARD – Natural Resource Technology Program
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Natural Resource Technology (NRT) Program has been training fish and wildlife technicians, foresters and conservation officers since the early 1960’s. The success of this program, is due to a willingness among faculty to embrace new technologies while never losing sight of the organic field experience that is integral to resource stewardship.
STIC AMBASSADOR AWARD – Dale Lemke
Mr. Lemke has an extensive career in the science and technology sectors and has spent countless hours volunteering his time to help young entrepreneurs and new companies start and succeed in Saskatoon. Mr. Lemke’s career began in the Aviation Department of UND where he wrote computer programs to analyze radar weather data to determine the results of cloud seeding programs in the prevention of hailstorms. Since then he has started and helped create numerous companies and organizations in the science and technology sectors, including multiple Computerland stores, Display Systems International (DSI), Terminal Systems International, SAINT, Saskatchewan Capital Network and the Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Association. Today, Mr. Lemke spends most of his time mentoring young entrepreneurs in Saskatoon. He participates on numerous boards and is involved in mentorship programs such as the Entrepreneur in Residence program at the University of Saskatchewan, the Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP) and the Raj Manek Mentorship Program. On top of this, Dale and DSI provide free start-up incubator space and services to support and mentor young entrepreneurs in the development of their business.
The finalists and winners were chosen by the STIC Selection Committee. This committee consisted of local industry, government and academia stakeholders.
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For more information, please contact:
Erin Lawson
Director, Marketing and Communications
P: (306) 664-0724 E: elawson@sreda.com