Winners of the Innovation Jumpstart 2021 Awards, presented by Professor Ian Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (centre) and R&I Director Elizabeth Hopkins (far right).

Innovation Jumpstart 2021 winners announced

Research & Innovation offers Innovation Jumpstart funding of $100,000 (5 x $20,000 prizes) to UC academic staff who have research ideas with significant economic or social/environmental impact.

The goal of the competition, which is run annually, is to support researchers to transform valuable ideas into reality so they can make a difference in an ever-changing world. It is open to University of Canterbury academic staff across all research areas.

Five University of Canterbury Innovation Jumpstart award winners were announced at an event on 2 Nov 2021, with each successful project getting a $20,000 prize. Congratulations to all our 2021 winners!

Greatest Global Impact - Sponsored by WNT Ventures

Dr Sarah Kessans – School of Product Design
Nanosatellites for biotechnological research in microgravity

Greatest Global Impact - Sponsored by Bridgewest Ventures

Prof Renwick Dobson – School of Biological Sciences
Assoc Prof Volker Nock – Electrical and Computer Engineering
Daniel Mak (PhD Candidate) – Electrical and Computer Engineering
Capillary microfluidic assays for improved testing in the wine industry

Greatest Commercial Potential - Sponsored byKiwinet
Prof Tim Sullivan – Civil and Natural Resources Engineering
Tom Francis (PhD candidate) – Civil and Natural Resources Engineering
A low-cost base isolation system for residential buildings

Greatest Commercial Potential - Sponsored by Kiwinet

Dr Tim Huber, Dr Nick Emerson and Andy Park – School of Project Design
Dr Dennis Pau – Civil and Natural Resources Engineering
Seaweed Plasterboard

Greatest Social or Environmental Impact – UC Research & Innovation

Tracy Clelland – School of Health Sciences
Dr Adrian Clark - School of Product Design
Dr Fabian Gilson - Computer Science and Software Engineering
Te Puāwaitanga: Beyond the birds and bees. Relationships and sexuality app for rangatahi

Innovation Jumpstart

Innovation Jumpstart 2019 - Winner

Toby MacRae - Speech, Language and Hearing

Dr Toby MacRae is working on a unique new app that analyses speech patterns, and could provide a leap forward in the assessment and treatment of children with speech difficulties.

Innovation Jumpstart 2018 - Winner

Jennifer Crowther - Biomolecular Interaction Centre

UC biochemist Dr Jennifer Crowther is creating a way to diagnose the life-threatening condition pre-eclampsia with the potential to save the lives of pregnant women and their babies worldwide.

Innovation Jumpstart 2018 - Winner

Aaron Marshall - Chemical and Process Engineering

Associate Professor Aaron Marshall and Master’s student Jonathan Ring created a sustainable technology that could revolutionise the galvanising industry and save the environment from toxic acid waste.

Innovation Jumpstart 2018 - Winner

Mathieu Sellier - Mechanical Engineering

New research by Prof Mathiew Sellier aims to improve coating technology so it can be used on rounded objects, which could disrupt a range of industries and create lucrative opportunities.

Innovation Jumpstart 2017 - Winner

Deborah Crittenden and Sally Gaw - Chemistry

A new laser detection tool being developed by two UC chemistry experts, Assoc Prof Deborah Crittenden and Prof Sally Gaw, may help farmers to pinpoint environmental problems and develop smart farming strategies to minimise impacts.

Innovation Jumpstart 2017 - Winner

Conan Fee and Tim Huber - Product Design/Engineering

Professor Conan Fee and Dr Tim Huber have come up with original technology to create high-performance heat exchangers, which could be a game changer in design and efficiency.

Thanks to our sponsors and supporters