Now Innovating

University of Calgary

This series from the University of Calgary shares the stories of researchers who have moved their discoveries forward and their innovation journeys to implementation and creating impact. This series aims to inspire researchers and community partners to take new steps toward transforming discoveries into solutions, products, and services. Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the Innovation@UCalgary ecosystem: https://ucalgary.ca/innovation

  1. 11/20/2025

    Now Innovating: Circular Plastics Live Panel Discussion

    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

  2. 01/16/2025

    Now Innovating: Partnering with the energy industry to develop and adapt technologies

    In this episode, we speak with Dr. Christopher Clarkson, PhD, a professor in the Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment in the Faculty of Science, who received the 2024 Synergy Award for Innovation from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Chris discusses his research with the Tight Oil Consortium, which develops new technologies and methods for sustainable resource development in collaboration with industry and government to enhance the extraction efficiency of Canada's unconventional hydrocarbon resources. He speaks to how these technologies and methods are now being adapted to transitional energy applications and shares his experiences working with and in the energy industry. Finally, Chris shares how the energy research landscape has evolved in Alberta and at the University of Calgary. This episode is also available as a fully captioned and transcribed video that you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL-CP3xs8TI   Learn more about:  The Tight Oil Consortium: https://www.tightoilconsortium.com/   Dr. Clarkson's NSERC Synergy Award for Innovation: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Prizes-Prix/Synergy-Synergie/Profiles-Profils/Clarkson-Clarkson_eng.asp   UCalgary's Energy for the Common Good research strategy: https://research.ucalgary.ca/sites/default/files/teams/4/GES/22-OPR-237100-Energy%20Research%20Strategy-2023-web.pdf   Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the UCalgary innovation ecosystem: https://ucalgary.ca/innovation

About

This series from the University of Calgary shares the stories of researchers who have moved their discoveries forward and their innovation journeys to implementation and creating impact. This series aims to inspire researchers and community partners to take new steps toward transforming discoveries into solutions, products, and services. Learn how to move your research-to-impact in the Innovation@UCalgary ecosystem: https://ucalgary.ca/innovation