Evolve to Innovate experiential innovation training program wraps up first year under Hunter Hub

On May 14, the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking hosted a celebration marking the wrap-up of the 2025 Evolve to Innovate (e2i) program — an experiential innovation initiative designed to equip University of Calgary researchers across all faculties with the tools to move their research beyond traditional academic outlets. The finale featured networking, reflection and awards honouring standout participants for their innovation-driven growth.

A research training program built for impact

The e2i program was originally created in 2021 out of the Office the Vice-President (Research) to address a longstanding challenge in Canadian research: the need for more deliberate innovation, invention and research translation.”

Beyond research excellence, UCalgary has recognized the need to better equip researchers with pathways to mobilize their work beyond academia through innovation. e2i was designed to meet that need directly — to help our brightest turn their research into greater social and economic impact.

The program operates with substantial institutional support, particularly from the Office of the Vice-President (Research). “We talk a lot about impact in research, and that means more than publications,” said Dr. Ian Gates, PhD, associate vice-president (innovation). “It means helping people, solving our challenges, and creating value from research, which isn’t just an ideal — it’s a responsibility.” That institutional commitment is what allows programs like e2i to thrive.

Hunter Hub’s first year offering the program

Now in its first year under the full leadership of the Hunter Hub, e2i has become more tightly integrated into the university’s innovation ecosystem. Kurt White, social innovation specialist, Paula Berton, PhD, academic programs specialist at the Hunter Hub, and Dr. Lian Willetts, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, led the 2025 cohort, supported by a cross-functional Hunter Hub team and guest speakers from around the university.

Jeff Ryzner, senior manager of programs at the Hunter Hub, emphasized that the program serves as a vital bridge between developing something novel and finding a way to mobilize it into something of value to someone. “Innovation isn’t just about creating something new — it’s about ensuring that a new idea has meaningful value for someone beyond the lab,” he said.

“e2i meets researchers where they are and helps them figure out how their work can help solve some of the world's biggest problems." The program’s success this year reflects both the strength and diversity of UCalgary's research community.

What the e2i experience looked like

Running from January to May 2025, this year’s e2i cohort engaged in weekly in-person workshops in the Hunter Hub's Collision space. To help researchers enhance their impact potential — by becoming stronger academics, preparing for a role in industry or founding a startup – the program was structured around three core program units: Communicating Beyond Academia, Problem-Driven Innovations, and Innovation Beyond Academia.

Each unit culminated in a hands-on deliverable — a video, a press release with FAQs, and a grant-style innovation proposal, respectively — all designed to challenge participants to apply innovation thinking to their research practice, regardless of whether their goal is academic excellence, industry preparation or venture creation.

In addition to participating in workshops and completing key deliverables, participants earned a $2,000 award and a formal micro-credential for each of the three units they completed. These micro-credentials represent verified, skills-based accomplishments that can be added as a digital badge on their LinkedIn profiles, a signal of their commitment to applying innovation strategy in diverse career paths.

Meet the award recipients

Communicating Beyond Academia Award for Best Pitch and Outreach Plan

Niloofar Pourjafari, a PhD student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Calgary, was recognized for her science outreach initiative, Astronomy Schools in Alberta, which aims to bring hands-on space education to underserved rural and Indigenous communities. “The e2i program helped me shift from thinking like an academic to thinking like an innovator,” said Pourjafari. “It made me feel empowered and seen.”

Problem-Driven Innovations Award for Most Creative Press Release

Dr. Wagdi Almishri, a research scientist in the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, was recognized for his compelling press release communicating the potential of repurposing the antidepressant Mirtazapine as a promising life-saving treatment for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a rare and serious liver disease. “Moving forward, I can no longer envision pursuing any initiative without thorough customer discovery,” said Almishri. “e2i is an eye-opening experience that challenges the rigid academic mindset many researchers, myself included, often hold.”

Innovation Beyond Academia Award for Best Roadmap and Financial Plans

Dr. Emily Rogers-Bradley, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and director of the Adaptive Bionics Lab, was recognized for her exceptional road mapping and financial planning to fuel her work in advancing accessible powered and quasi-passive prostheses. "The sessions on raising capital and incorporating were extremely helpful in clarifying the logistical aspects of launching a start-up. e2i is an excellent program to help researchers focus their work on direct impact and commercial success," said Rogers-Bradley.

Self-Reflection Award

Uzma Ahmed Din, a PhD candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering, is exploring AI-powered 3D sensing for autonomous vehicles, security surveillance and industrial inspection. “e2i reconfirmed my belief that you miss the opportunities you don’t take,” said Ahmed Din. “If I had not shared my idea, I’d have missed out on invaluable feedback, new partnerships and the confidence boost that came from just taking that first step. Knowing that there’s a community rooting for my success has been a truly invaluable experience.”

Most Supportive Principal Investigator Award

Eleven principal investigators from across UCalgary were honoured with this award for cultivating curiosity, resilience and innovative thinking within their research environments. The award recognizes the critical role that principal investigators play in supporting their students in exploring the translational potential of their work. Whether through hands-on guidance or simply making space for experimentation and extracurricular activities, these mentors help bridge the gap between research and impact.

Looking ahead

As part of UCalgary’s Ahead of Tomorrow strategy, programs like e2i play an essential role in helping the university deliver on its mission to harness research and innovation to tackle society’s biggest challenges. With the Hunter Hub now stewarding the program and continued support from the Office of the Vice-President (Research), e2i is well-positioned to empower even more researchers in the years to come.

“e2i isn’t just about professional development,” said White. “It’s about helping brilliant minds think differently about the potential of their work — whether they stay in academia, transition to industry or create something entirely new.”

Get involved

e2i is open to UCalgary postdocs, research associates, and graduate students looking to develop and improve the skills needed to translate their research into impact outside of academia. To learn more, visit the e2i webpage or contact the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking directly.