Sparking Diabetes Innovation in Kelowna!
Some of our biggest challenges don’t always require the biggest solutions: they require a spark.
UBC’s BC Diabetes Research Network and its partners certainly created a spark in Kelowna on October 9, 2024 for our second Type 2 Diabetes Spark Innovation Challenge. Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and presented in partnership with Interior Health to spark innovation, collaboration and change in approaches to type 2 diabetes.
Hosted at the Innovation Centre in Kelowna and emceed by UBCO’s Innovation Manager Sandra Spencer, our panel of expert judges considered pitches on innovative projects for type 2 diabetes prevention, management and treatment. After an in-depth consideration of all pitches, the award funding of $15,000 was increased and $17,500 was awarded to three successful pitches:
Diabetes Dialogue: Brining the Gap Between Research and the Community
Alexis Marcotte-Chenard, PhD, UBC Okanagan
Enhancing Type 2 Diabetes Management Through Interactive Patient Intake Forms
Fairuz Siraj, D Pharm, Vancouver Island
Let’s Ride! Supporting Individuals at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Jessica Bourne, PhD, UBC Okanagan
Special thanks to our panel of expert judges:
Bruce Verchere, BC Diabetes Research Network, Professor, University of British Columbia
Meghan Lenahan, Program Manager- Digital Health at Boehringer Ingelheim
Suzie Currie, Vice Principal and Associate Vice-President, Research & Innovation University of British Columbia
Will Atio, Kelowna resident living with type 2 diabetes
Rick Cooper, Mentor and Entrepreneur in Residence, University of British Columbia
Many thanks to the incredible groups who came together to support collaborative partnerships between health care practitioners, industry, university researchers, and community organizations.
