Parex Resources Innovation Fellowships
We believe our researchers and students can change the world – one discovery and innovation at a time.
Welcome to the Parex Resources Innovation Fellowships, a pioneering initiative launched in October 2019 for University of Calgary researchers deeply engaged in academic exploration and community collaborations leading to impactful startups or advancements, spanning both technological and social innovation.
Goals:
The Parex Resources Innovation Fellowships are designed to:
- Encourage Diverse Innovation: Support researchers across the university in exploring new ideas and insights that drive innovation in various domains.
- Facilitate Innovation Transfer: Enable researchers to focus on transferring innovative concepts into practical solutions, bridging the gap between academia and the broader community.
Background:
These fellowships are made possible by a generous $3.24 million endowment from alumnus Wayne Foo and Parex Resources Inc., a Calgary-based company engaged in oil exploration, development, and production in Colombia. The aim is to empower researchers to concentrate on diverse innovation and technology-transfer activities.
Celebrating Innovation:
Established in honor of Parex's 10-year anniversary, these fellowships underscore the company's commitment to fostering innovation across various sectors.
Innovation Focus:
Grounded in the university's research-intensive environment, the fellowships provide resources for researchers to concentrate on innovative projects that positively impact society. This spans a wide spectrum, including technological advancements, social initiatives, and novel approaches to addressing complex challenges.
Join us in advancing innovation, driving positive change, and addressing diverse global challenges through the Parex Resources Innovation Fellowships at the University of Calgary.
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Note: the Parex Fellowship Form is now closed. The deadline for applications was February 25, 2026 at 8:00 am MST
Now Innovating: A Research to Impact Series
Sharing the stories of UCalgary researchers who have moved their discoveries forward and their innovation journeys to implementation and creating impact.
More Questions?
- Please contact sci.ad.admin@ucalgary.ca to inquire about 1:1 office hour session availability
Information Session
Parex Resources Innovation Fellowship Information Session
Information for future sessions will be listed here...
To stay informed on all Parex related news, email sci.ad.admin@ucalgary.ca
The 2026-2027 Cohort of Parex Innovation Fellows
Ina Dobrinski
Professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Ina Dobrinski is a professor (specializing in teaching and research) in the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Her research proposal aims to expand access to assisted reproductive technologies to address male infertility by developing novel alternative methodologies that reduce reliance on experimental animals for research and testing.
Joe Harrison
Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science
Dr. Joe Harrison is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and a CIHR CRC II in Biofilm Microbiology and Genomics. His proposal focuses on developing a strategy to address antibiotic resistance, specifically targeting drug-resistant wound infections, and aims to translate over ten years of prior research into a prototype with potential for patent development.
Jennifer Jackson
Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing
Dr. Jennifer Jackson is an associate professor in the Faculty of Nursing, holds a joint appointment with Community Health Services and is a full member of Hotchkiss Brain Institute. Her proposal involves creating a machine‑learning scheduling platform for firefighters to reduce stress and improve mental health, with the aim to produce meaningful positive impacts on firefighter mental health and well-being.
Nicole Letourneau
Professor, Faculty of Nursing
Dr. Nicole Letourneau is Assistant Dean (Mentorship for Research and Grant Success) and professor in the Faculty of Nursing. Her proposal aims to deliver the ATTACH program to parents through the development of a not-for-profit company, leveraging an already developed platform to accelerate implementation and reach.
Soroush Sabbaghan
Associate Professor, Werklund School of Education
Dr. Soroush Sabbaghan is an associate professor in the Werklund School of Education, with a specialization in language and literacy. His proposal focuses on developing an IPP co-pilot to support teachers in creating and implementing Individualized Program Plans (IPPs), with the goal of improving outcomes for students who require individualized supports.
Troy Pederson
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine
Dr. Troy Pederson is an associate professor (specializing in internal medicine) at UCalgary's Cumming School of Medicine. He is also active in medical leadership at the Alberta Medical Association and the Peter Lougheed Hospital. His proposal seeks to create a multilingual conversational intake model for diverse patient populations in the Northeast of Calgary - allowing patients to share information with a history-taking multilingual platform prior to a clinical visit