Faculty of Science

Events, workshops and competitions

At the Science Innovation Hub, we host a variety of events to bring together different communities from researchers and students in the Faculty of Science to partners and funders for innovation and invention.

See below for a list of our current events, workshops and competitions! Stay tuned for more.

2024 Events and workshops

Join us for informative open houses and networking meetups open to all Faculty of Science graduate students and undergrads interested in science innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship.

Stay tuned for future events with the Entrepreneurship Speaker Series, established in 2022 to foster the entrepreneurial mindset for students in the Faculty of Science and generate meaningful discussions around emerging themes in industry and research.

UM Smartpark Networking Mixer: Presented by the Science Innovation Hub
Date and time: March 12, 2025, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: 100 Innovation Drive Winnipeg, MB R3T 6A8
Have you ever wondered what goes on at the UM Smartpark? Here's your opportunity to find out!
Join us for an afternoon of networking with various industries, organizations, and research groups that operate minutes from the Fort Garry campus!
Light refreshments will be served. While this is a free event, we highly recommend registering in advance.
Register now
Faculty of Science Entrepreneurship Speaker Series: Dr. Les Tari
Date and time: March 25, 2025, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Marshall McLuhan Hall - 204 UMSU University Centre, 65 Chancellors Circle Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
Dr. Les Tari is the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Cidara Therapeutics and a two-time UM Faculty of Science chemistry alum [BScHons/89, PhD/95]. Following his time at UM, Tari focused on supporting early-stage drug discovery in both academic and industry settings, developing over 50 publications or patents. Previous to working for Cidara Therapeutics, Tari was a member of the scientific staff of the start-up, Syrrx Inc., co-founded ActiveSight Inc., and held various positions at Trius Therapeutics (acquired by Cubist Pharmaceuticals). At Cidara Therapeutics, Tari oversees the development of targeted immunotherapies designed to treat serious diseases.
Register now
Science 3K Pitch Competition presented by BAM
Date and time: April 4, 2024, 1:30 p.m.
Location: Marshall McLuhan Hall - 204 UMSU University Centre, 65 Chancellors Circle Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
Join us as science students of all levels pitch their innovative ideas and compete for a chance to win a $3,000 cash prize!
Join us for Science 3K Pitch Competition presented by BAM

Past events

Science entrepreneurial mindset engagement session - October 2022

What makes up an 'entrepreneurial mindset'? How can this mindset benefit you throughout your studies and beyond even if you never form a company?

This session provided attendees with information about key resources, courses, new opportunities, and training they can access via the Science Innovation Hub and other UM offerings.

Science Research Innovation and Commercialization workshop - January 2023

Should you protect your IP? Is your invention patentable? Could industrial partnerships and innovation funding lead to commercialization and real-world application of your research?

The purpose of this workshop is to provide Faculty of Science researchers with information to advance the commercialization of research-driven projects and access funding.

The workshop program will link our researchers to Science Innovation Hub and Partnerships and Innovation supports, provide advice on funding, IP protection, patenting, and industrial partnerships, and answer your commercialization questions.

We will also launch the 3rd cycle of our internal Faculty of Science Research Innovation and Commercialization seed grant.

We also hope to share some perspectives on research commercialization from outside the University. Workshop speakers will include Steven Theriault and Paul Card.

Theriault is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Science Officer at Cytophage Technologies Inc. and holds his MSc and PhD from the University of Manitoba. Theriault was a member of the team that created the reverse genetic systems critical to the development of the Canadian Ebola vaccine. His research interests have turned to combating antimicrobial resistance using his innovative, cutting-edge technologies. Theriault founded his company Cytophage Technologies Inc. He and his team use bacteriophages in new and innovative ways to treat illness, reduce suffering and ultimately avert the imminent health crisis facing our world.

Card is a serial entrepreneur who has founded, scaled and mentored various Winnipeg start-ups. He is currently VP of Neo Financial and holds his BSc, MSc, and PhD from the University of Manitoba. Paul was the founder and CEO of 151 Research, Director of R and D for Seccuris, and Sr. Researcher for TRLabs of Canada. 151 Research revolutionized the ag tech industry by transforming a technology first created for the bio-medical industry at the University of Manitoba into an award-winning post-harvest monitoring platform.

Research Innovation and Commercialization Grant info session - February 2023

The Faculty of Science has invested in a funding opportunity for faculty members in the Faculty of Science wishing to take the next steps toward concept development for the commercialization of research. Attend this session to learn more about this internal grant.