British Columbia Innovation Council

MEDIA RELEASE | SEPTEMBER 14, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRITISH COLUMBIA - Who are BC's faces of innovation? They are the pioneers and visionaries leading the way in research, technology and innovation announced today as winners of the 2005 BC Innovation Council Awards.

"The achievements of the 2005 Award Winners demonstrate the wealth of innovation that exists in British Columbia," said Cindy Lum, CEO (Pro Tem) and COO of BC Innovation Council. The 2005 Award Winners will be formally recognized at a gala Awards Dinner on Monday, October 17th.

"We are proud to honour these distinguished scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators. They are ensuring that British Columbia continues to be a leader in world-class innovation," said Hector Mackay-Dunn, QC, Chair of BC Innovation Council.

THE 2005 AWARD WINNERS ARE:

NEW: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AWARD
Winner, Dr. Nigel Livingston is the Founding Director of the University of Victoria Assistive Technology Team (UVATT) and a Biology Professor at University of Victoria. Since founding UVATT in 1999 while seeking assistive technology for his daughter, Dr. Livingston has inspired more than 800 faculty, staff, students and community volunteers to make a positive difference in the lives of those facing challenging circumstances. Dr. Livingston's dream to better the life of his daughter has resulted in a large scale effort to develop and apply devices for the disabled.

Sponsored by Her Honour, the Honourable Iona Campagnolo, the Lieutenant Governor of BC, this award recognizes excellence in developing a highly innovative, new technology based on applied research conducted in British Columbia. The demonstrated technology will have had a positive social, economic, and/or environmental impact upon the province.

BC SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner, Dr. Max Blouw, Vice President of Research at University of Northern British Columbia, has led an ambitious multi-year campaign to promote and develop BC's science and technology capacity. A champion of research, science and technology in northern BC and of small universities across Canada, Dr. Blouw's efforts have created a legacy that will influence technology development for decades to come.

This award recognizes a BC resident who has made an outstanding contribution towards the promotion and development of British Columbia science or technology.

CECIL GREEN AWARD FOR TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Winner, Dr. William Hunter, President and CEO of Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is leading the commercial success of a BC company whose innovative products are making a difference to patients world-wide. Since co-founding Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 1992 as a medical student, Angiotech has become a global leader and pioneer in the emerging field of drug-coated medical devices and biomaterials.

This award recognizes an individual, small team or company who has started or developed a technology-based company in British Columbia that has demonstrated the ability to make and sell nationally or internationally commercially viable, innovative world-class products over a sustained period of time.

CHAIRMAN'S AWARD FOR CAREER ACHIEVEMENT
Winner, Dr. Walter Hardy, Physics Professor at University of British Columbia, has demonstrated by example that Canadian scientists can conduct research and compete at the highest level. His outstanding career in scientific research has flourished for more than 45 years and he has influenced the careers of countless students. Dr. Hardy's experimental genius and his focus on the key issues in laboratory-based physics have garnered tremendous international recognition.

This award recognizes an individual who has made important and sustained contribution to innovative science or technology throughout his or her career.

EVE SAVORY AWARD FOR SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Winner, Dr. Penny Le Couteur, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Capilano College, has inspired thousands of students who have benefited from her ability to explain and promote popular science throughout her 37-year career. An author, guest speaker and presenter, Dr. Le Couteur inspires with her inherent ability to communicate her heart-felt love of science.

This award recognizes an individual who has made an exceptional achievement in describing or organizing activities that explain the potential innovation impact of science and technology to the public.

FRONTIERS IN RESEARCH AWARD
Winner, Dr. Mario Pinto, Professor of Chemistry and Vice President of Research at Simon Fraser University, is opening up new frontiers in the fields of chemical biology, medicinal chemistry and health research. Dr. Pinto's research into the art and science of synthesizing complex carbohydrate molecules is unlocking the secrets of molecular functions, enabling scientists to model complex interactions.

This award recognizes an individual or small team whose innovative research contributions have led to major new advances in scientific or technological knowledge.

YOUNG INNOVATOR AWARD
Winner, Dr. Jian Pei, Assistant Professor in the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University, is one of the world's most cited authors in the area of data mining and knowledge discovery. Dr. Pei's work is being used extensively by large companies with applications ranging from assisting insurance companies in identifying patterns among millions of claims to helping retail stores decide what products should be grouped together.

This award recognizes an individual under the age of 35 who has made a significant contribution to developing innovative science or technology, and has played a main role in the development of a new innovation or research breakthrough.

As the Crown Agency of the Province of British Columbia providing a one-stop point of access and support to the research, technology and innovation sector, BC Innovation Council is pleased to continue its tradition of hosting BC's premier annual awards event. The winners of these prestigious awards are selected by prominent representatives from industry and academia by way of a comprehensive nomination and decision process.

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Tickets to the Awards Dinner may be purchased online at www.bcinnovationcouncil.com/awards or by calling (604) 438-2752.

To arrange interviews or for media accreditation to attend the Awards Dinner contact:

Jill Webber Hrabinsky
Communications Manager
BC Innovation Council
(604) 438-2752
(604) 602-5204 (Direct)
1-800-665-7222 (Toll Free)
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For more information about BC Innovation Council, visit www.bcinnovationcouncil.com.

BC Innovation Council acknowledges the generous support of its sponsors:

Charter: AstraZeneca, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Farris, Leading Edge BC, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, University of Victoria and Innovation and Development Corporation.

Executive: CANTEST Ltd., Fractal Capital Corporation, Genome British Columbia, The StemCell Group and BC Biotech.

Associate: The Caldwell Partners International, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D), Royal Bank of Canada, TRIUMF and University of Northern British Columbia.

In-Kind: CKNW, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Pacific Show Productions, Knowledge Network and The Vancouver Sun.