2025 Mitacs Innovation Awards
Celebrating Canadian Innovation
A first-of-its-kind, 3D digital earth mapping system. Research breakthroughs including a new drug for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) treatment and a new device for male infertility patients. An antimicrobial surface coating that kills drug-resistant bacteria. The 2025 Mitacs Innovation Awards recognized novel contributions like these and their potential impacts in Canada and globally.
About the Awards
Now in its 15th year, the Mitacs Innovation Awards spotlight Canadian innovators — from students and professors to start-ups and industry partners — whose groundbreaking work was made possible through partnerships with Mitacs.
Dr. Stephen LucasCEO, Mitacs
For 15 years, the Mitacs Innovation Awards have recognized Canadian research and innovation talent, and this year’s cohort is no exception. At a time when we need to build a stronger and more resilient economy, these 11 innovators and organizations demonstrate what’s possible when we invest in ideas, talent, and innovation.
The Winners
Eleven talented individuals and organizations were awarded for their impactful work across five categories.
The Mitacs Innovation Award for Outstanding Innovation recognizes extraordinary talent among students and postdoctoral fellows from across Canada who’ve participated in a Mitacs program. This category emphasizes the societal and economic impacts of research, and the potential to drive innovation and address real-world challenges.
Dr. Nicoletta Faraone
Associate Professor, Chemistry Department, and
Head of Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre,
Acadia University
Dr. Faraone led development of an all-natural and long-lasting fabric spray tick repellent. An alternative to synthetic insect repellents like DEET, the first-of-its-kind product is expected to be on the market by next summer.
Dr. Nello David Sansone
Postdoctoral Researcher, Multifunctional
Composites Manufacturing Laboratory,
University of Toronto
Dr. Sansone designed lightweight alternatives to the industry-standard glass-filled polypropylene (plastic) materials used by car manufacturers. With these new materials, manufacturers can design cars that use less energy to drive longer distances.
Dr. Tae-Ho Kim
Postdoctoral Fellow, Biomechatronic Systems Laboratory, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Kim designed a first-of-its-kind, self-powered continuous blood pressure (BP) monitor that provides measurements every few seconds. The device saves physicians the time it takes to collect multiple readings from traditional arm cuff BP monitors.
Dr. Sara Imani
Postdoctoral Researcher, McMaster University
Dr. Imani developed a coating that can reduce infection risk on surfaces in high-traffic areas such as hospitals, schools, and airports. The coating has demonstrated more than 99 percent efficacy at killing pathogens.
Nitesh Sanghai
PhD Candidate, College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba
Sanghai’s promising new ALS drug brings hope for a better quality and longer life to the 3,000–4,000 Canadians living with the disease. The drug has shown potential to delay disease onset, prevent ALS-induced weight loss, and extend life.
The Mitacs Inclusive Innovator of the Year Award celebrates the achievements of equity-deserving groups in developing and/or fostering an inclusive innovation ecosystem. It celebrates research achievements that promote social inclusion, incorporate diverse perspectives, and prioritize accessibility in the design and execution of innovative projects, products, and services.
Dr. Anne Laurie
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Education (Child Studies), Concordia University
Dr. Laurie’s work on an equitable Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) assessment tool has provided a culturally sensitive way to distinguish language differences from DLD, promoting early intervention for children who need it while avoiding mislabeling.
The Mitacs Canadian Start-Up Innovator of the Year Award celebrates an outstanding Canadian innovator who kickstarted their entrepreneurial journey with Mitacs’ support. This award highlights successful research commercialization and/or a new business enterprise by a Mitacs program participant &emdash; celebrating the infinite potential created when research and entrepreneurial vision align.
Dr. Narjes Allahrabbi
Postdoctoral Researcher, Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering Department, Toronto Metropolitan University
Dr. Allahrabbi’s work on a novel sperm enhancement device offers a more affordable and accessible alternative to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Her Toronto-based start-up, Fertilead, is currently developing clinical and at-home versions of the technology.
Fattah Haeri
Biomedical Engineer, Femera Med Tech
Haeri’s start-up company, Femera, is commercializing a vaginal probe that restores tissue elasticity and strengthens pelvic floor muscles, offering women experiencing urinary incontinence a more affordable, accessible, and minimally invasive alternative to surgery.
The Mitacs Canadian Enterprise Innovator of the Year Award recognizes a Mitacs industry partner whose leadership, adoption of emerging technology, and support of innovative research and development demonstrate an ongoing commitment to fostering talent and boosting Canada’s productivity and economic growth.
Hydro-Québec
Electricity Utility, Quebec
Through its innovation hub — and with the help of hundreds of Mitacs interns — Hydro-Québec is developing next-generation technologies to improve grid reliability, integrate renewable energy sources, and accelerate the transition from fossil fuels.
The Mitacs Innovation Award for Outstanding Research Leadership recognizes a post-secondary supervisor with a record of fostering collaboration with business partners. Associated with a university or college, winners in this category provide valuable research and training experience to Mitacs interns and implement funding toward impactful projects.
Dr. Lucas Hof
Mechanical Engineering Professor and Director of Laboratory for Smart and Circular Manufacturing, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)
With support from more than 40 Mitacs interns over six years, Dr. Hof has developed innovations ranging from recyclable 3D-printed shoes and intelligent industrial safety systems to flexible solar panels and manufacturing processes that repurpose textile waste.
Faramarz Samavati
Computer Science Professor,
University of Calgary
Dr. Samavati’s made-in-Canada 3D digital earth system provides an alternative to traditional geographic information systems like Google Maps that represent the Earth as flat.
The Speakers
The 2025 Mitacs Innovation Awards hosted remarkable guest speakers. Their remarks emphasized the importance of research and curiosity, and the impact of the Mitacs model in advancing innovation by connecting
academia to industry.
Karim Bardeesy
Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Industry
Dr. Mona Nemer
Canada’s Chief Science Advisor
Dr. Rémi Quirion
Chief Scientist of Quebec
Dr. Stephen Lucas
CEO, Mitacs
Hon. Brendan Maguire
Minister of Advanced Education, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Government House Leader, Government of Nova Scotia
Hon. Jessie K. Sunner
Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future
Skills, Government of British Columbia
Hon. Kody Blois
Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
Mark Schaan
Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Shirley Tolley
Titulaire, Kitigan Zibi
Bruce MacDougall
Chair, Mitacs Board of Directors
L’Hon. Christine Fréchette
Députée de Sanguinet; ministre de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie; ministre responsable du développement économique régional
Hon. Nolan Quinn
Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES), Government of Ontario
Karim BardeesyParliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Industry
Mitacs bridges academia and industry by connecting passionate talent with real-world challenges, helping people discover opportunities they never knew existed and solutions they never knew were possible.
Hon. Kody BloisParliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
On behalf of the Prime Minister and the Government, I want to thank each of you here today. Your work in science and research not only helps solve society’s challenges but also drives our country’s economic growth. Every contribution you make is part of Canada’s innovation engine.
Mark SchaanAssociate Deputy Minister, ISED
Thank you to Mitacs for the spirit of innovation you have truly instilled in the innovation ecosystem in Canada. I honour the profound impact of graduates of Mitacs’ programs launching businesses, capabilities, and skills across diverse fields, including AI and quantum.
Dr. Rémi QuirionChief Scientist, Quebec
The fact that so many of the Mitacs Innovation awardees are coming from all over the world strengthens our belief that it’s a huge asset to welcome young scientists to Canada — the next generation of researchers.
Dr. Mona NemerParliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Industry
The Mitacs Innovation Awards is such an inspiring and an energizing evening. I am thrilled by all the talent we have coming from all over the world, who choose to stay in Canada and to innovate in Canada. I would also like to thank those who go back to their home countries and become our ambassadors.
Media Coverage
As one of Canada’s premier innovation celebrations, the event draws national media attention. Here’s just a small sample of the stories published leading up to or after this year’s edition:
Winnipeg Free Press
U of M chemist earns award for work on new drug candidate for treating Lou Gehrig’s disease
The Weather Network
Canadian tick researcher makes breakthrough at new ‘tickery’
Montreal Gazette
Fredericton researcher wins national award
Canadian Metalworking
Montreal professor wins award for novel work boosting Canada’s manufacturing sector
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