Dalhousie University and the University of New Brunswick have accepted 19 teams into their Fall 2024 Lab2Market Validate cohort, which helps researchers assess the commercial viability of their work.
One of several Lab2Market programs, the 16-week Validate program brings together researchers and business development specialists and lets them work with mentors. The goal is to determine whether research conducted in a university can be spun out into a commercial venture, and if so how.
The 19 teams – many of which are so early they don’t have company names yet – come from six universities, and all but three of the teams are from Atlantic Canada. They are working in such diverse fields as environmental sustainability, engineering, and healthcare.
“Lab2Market develops the skills talented young people need to commercialize research, start ventures, and think like innovators,” said Jeff Larsen, Assistant Vice-President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Dalhousie. “We are thrilled to be expanding our Lab2Market Validate program across Atlantic Canada.”
One participant is Dalhousie researcher Cat Evans, who is using satellite images and AI to create a tool to visualize and predict harmful algal blooms. She and partner Dr. Chris Whidden call their project SMART-HAB.
“Lab2Market Validate gives me the opportunity to engage directly with industry, government, and affected communities to figure out how we can advance our water monitoring methods to help keep waterways and coastlines safe,” Evans said. “It’s been amazing to hear first-hand from those on the ground about what they need, what resources they have, and how we can help.”
Here are the teams participating in the current cohort:
Ali Ebrahimi, Dr. Stephen Czarnuch
Memorial University
Enhancing subsea video quality with AI to enable superior visual inspections for offshore oil and gas, marine research, and subsea robotics industries.
Aloyna Chris Mendonce, Dr. Anna Ignaszak
University of New Brunswick
Improving HER2 metastatic breast cancer marker monitoring with cutting-edge aptasensor technology.
Anu Adamson, Dr. Michael Metzger
Dalhousie University
Helping battery manufacturers save time and money by testing the inactive components of their cells and reducing self-discharge.
Aylar Abouzarkhanifard, Dr. Lihong Zhang, Dr. Mohammad Al Janaideh
Memorial University
Harnessing ocean wave energy through vibration technology to power remote sensors, ensuring sustainable and reliable energy for environmental monitoring in harsh and inaccessible regions.
Benjamin Dringoli, Dr. David Cooke
McGill University
Their product, called TRAQC, takes advanced laser technology used in research labs and builds high-sensitivity, quality-assurance tools for high-volume manufacturing.
Cat Evans, Dr. Chris Whidden
Dalhousie University
SMART-HAB is a machine-learning tool for near-real-time algae bloom identification.
Daniel Ndegwa Kimani, Dr. Marya Ahmed
University of Prince Edward Island
Developing nanogel-based delivery systems to enhance the efficacy and stability of cosmetic products for skin care.
Haitham Shoman, Dr. Ahmed Aoude
McGill University
Qalam Health, a medical device company, is developing imaging technology to transform how surgeons identify and remove bone cancer during surgery.
Japhet Anesu Machipisa, Dr. Stephanie Shaw
University of Prince Edward Island
Transforming wastepaper biomass into sustainable solutions for agriculture, energy storage, water and air purification.
Justin Greige, Dr. Jeremy Brown
Dalhousie University
This team is developing minimally invasive surgical devices using an in-house micro-fabrication facility. They are miniaturized ultrasound imaging endoscopes and miniaturized ultrasound therapeutic devices.
Kevin Henry, Dr. Antonio Bolufe-Rohler
University of Prince Edward Island
Connecting businesses with student talent to provide AI and tech services while advancing practical learning opportunities for the workforce of tomorrow.
Mariana Toro Ramirez, Dr. Tsz Ho Kwok
Concordia University
Utilizing tiny machine learning, edge computing, and IoT to develop smart wearable devices for livestock welfare and location monitoring.
Michael Giacomantonio, Dr. Patrick Murphy
Dalhousie University
Improving cell culture research with streamlined, error-reducing kits that enhance data reliability and boost research productivity.
Mirvala Sadrafshari, Dr. Lihong Zhang, Dr. Octavia Dobre
Memorial University
Enhancing chip design with AI-driven placement tools that improve efficiency and precision in integrated circuit development.
Mostafa Javaheri Moghadam, Dr. Stijn De Baerdemacker
University of New Brunswick
LigandQI uses quantum technologies to help pharmaceutical companies design better, more effective drugs by understanding how molecules interact.
Muhammad Adeel Ahsan, Dr. Oscar De Silva
Memorial University
Deploying drone swarms with AI to quickly locate missing persons in dense forests, enhancing search and rescue operations while supporting environmental conservation and sustainable forestry management.
Poppy Riddle, Dr. Philippe Mongeon
Dalhousie University
There are over 200 million scientific works globally. This team is working on making this searchable, understandable, and useful for education.
Kusal Tennakoon, Dr. Oscar De Silva
Memorial University
ARMIS (Autonomous Real-time Mapping and Imaging System) uses advanced robotics and AI technology to offer a way to navigate inside buildings without getting lost.
Zohreh Zeidy, Dr. Katie Wadden
Memorial University
Developing a fertility application that employs behaviour change science and personalized health tracking to enhance reproductive health outcomes.
