Now Innovating

In this episode of Now Innovating, host Julia MacGregor speaks with Dr. Deinera Exner-Cortens, Canada Research Chair in Childhood Health Promotion and Associate Professor in the University of Calgary's Department of Psychology, and Dr. Liz Baker, Executive Director of PREVNet. Together, they discuss PREVNet's national network of researchers, educators, youth-serving organizations, and community partners working to create safer, healthier environments for young people. Their work demonstrates that innovation doesn't always take the form of new technologies; it can also emerge through evidence-based programs, knowledge sharing, and collective action that create lasting social impact. From bullying prevention and healthy relationship education to policy change and knowledge mobilization, this conversation explores how evidence-based approaches can support youth well-being and drive meaningful social impact across Canada. Learn more about PREVNet: www.prevnet.ca Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the UCalgary innovation ecosystem: ucalgary.ca/innovation

In this episode, host Julia MacGregor leads a panel discussion with four guests who are making an impact in circular plastics:         Tammy Schwass, BA'10, Executive Director, Alberta Plastics Recycling Association (APRA)         Dr. Rohen Prinsloo, PhD'22, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science         Dr. Daniel Castañeda Mogollón, PhD'22         Eric Tang, Production Manager, Triple Three Trading Ltd The panel discusses the different types of plastics, recycling methods, and the global plastics supply chain. We learn about the chemical challenges in recycling plastics, work APRA members like Triple Three Trading are doing to recycle plastics, and a student-led initiative to recycle Styrofoam used to package research equipment. The panel also discusses actions you can take in your daily life to encourage smart plastic use, and tips and tricks for recycling plastics. This episode was recorded live with an audience during Alumni All-Access 2025. Guests were invited by the university's Industry Liaison Office (Research), the team that facilitates and grows applied research partnerships between companies and researchers. This episode is also available as a fully captioned and transcribed video that you can watch here: https://youtu.be/h692GqtoepM    Learn more about: Alberta Plastics Recycling Association: https://albertaplasticsrecycling.com/ Dr. Prinsloo's research: https://profiles.ucalgary.ca/rohen-prinsloo  Triple Three Trading: https://triplethreetrading.com/  What Goes Where – Calgary Residential Recycling and Disposal Search Tool: https://www.calgary.ca/waste/what-goes-where/plastic-polystyrene-foam.html  Waste Reduction and Diversion at UCalgary: https://www.ucalgary.ca/sustainability/our-sustainable-campus/waste-reduction-and-diversion Industry Liaison Office (Research): https://research.ucalgary.ca/engage-research/industry Campus as a Learning Lab: https://www.ucalgary.ca/sustainability/campus-learning-lab  UCalgary Alumni: https://alumni.ucalgary.ca/ Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the UCalgary innovation ecosystem: https://ucalgary.ca/innovation  

This episode, we are exploring cybersecurity with Dr. Hadis Karimipour, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Software Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, and a Canada Research Chair in Secure and Resilient Cyber-physical Systems. We discuss cyber threats to critical infrastructure such as utility centers, transportation systems and hospital networks and how her research is using AI and quantum applications to detect and prevent these cyber-attacks. We also talk about the dark web, where these cyber threats come from and the importance to advance global policy in cybersecurity.   This episode is also available as a fully captioned and transcribed video that you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSTPjShxtrU  Learn more about Hadis' research in the Smart Cyber-Physical Systems Lab: https://www.scpslab.org/  Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the UCalgary innovation ecosystem: https://ucalgary.ca/innovation 

In our Season 7 premiere, we celebrate the launch of the XPRIZE Canada Hub at the University of Calgary by speaking with UCalgary and XPRIZE alum, Madison Savilow, BA'19, BComm'19, of Carbon Upcycling. This carbon capture and utilization company was a finalist team in the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE competition. Their process developed with UCalgary researchers, transforms C02 and industrial waste materials to create a low carbon cement replacement. Madison takes us on a tour of Carbon Upcycling's facility at the Alberta Carbon Conversion Technology Centre, discusses her journey with XPRIZE, shares how the company is scaling and advice for embarking on an entrepreneurial path. This episode is also available as a fully captioned and transcribed video that you can watch here: https://youtu.be/O4eh4PICGFg    Learn more about: Carbon Upcycling: https://carbonupcycling.com/ XPRIZE Canada Hub at UCalgary: https://io.ucalgary.ca/xprizehub XPRIZE: https://www.xprize.org/ The Alberta Carbon Conversion Technology Centre: https://innotechalberta.ca/facilities/alberta-carbon-conversion-technology-centre/ Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the UCalgary innovation ecosystem: https://ucalgary.ca/innovation

In this episode, we speak with Sue Crawford, RN, MN'20, manager of the Health Systems Transformation Initiative (HIVE) in the Faculty of Nursing and co-founder and executive director of Enable, a social enterprise that facilitates meaningful matches between people with disabilities and support workers.  Sue discusses how the HIVE initiative utilizes nursing expertise to empower innovators and change agents to enhance health and health care delivery by applying transdisciplinary solutions. We also discuss nurse entrepreneurship through Sue's experiences with launching Enable, and the role nurses play in health care innovation.  This episode is also available as a fully captioned and transcribed video that you can watch here: https://youtu.be/0p31b7cnodE  Learn more about:  The Health Systems Transformation Initiative: https://nursing.ucalgary.ca/HIVE  Enable: https://enablecommunity.ca/ Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the UCalgary innovation ecosystem: https://ucalgary.ca/innovation