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Faculty Instructors | Guest Speakers | Pitch Competition Judges | Startups | Organizing Team
Faculty Instructors
Research Guest Speakers
Dr. Gonca Erdemci-Tandogan
Assistant Professor, Western University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Dr. Cécile Fradin
Professor, McMaster University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Dr. Andreas Hilfinger
Associate Professor, University of Toronto, Department of Physics
Dr. Mojca Mattiazzi Usaj
Assistant Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University, Department of Chemistry and Biology
Dr. Alan Moses
Professor, University of Toronto, Department of Cell & Systems Biology
Entrepreneurship Guest Speakers
Feiran Zhou
Business Development and Commercialization Manager
Ontario Centre of Innovation
Visit the Ontario Centre of Innovation
Pitch Competition Judges
SpinUp Startups Hosting INSPIRE Students
Ardra Inc
Ardra is a precision fermentation company creating novel and natural food ingredients to address challenges in sustainable food production. We cater to emerging markets such as flavours, colours, plant-based meat alternatives, and health and nutrition. Our core technology involves designer microorganisms cultivated in fermenters to convert sugars into target natural ingredients.
Bough Biosciences
When overwhelmed with stress, cells can enter a zombie-like state known as senescence. The build-up of these cells in the brain has been linked to several neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, among others. Bough Biosciences will develop a novel approach to the discovery of drugs that will remove these senescent cells called senolytics, using a technology called single cell-RNA sequencing to understand what causes the build-up of these cells in different disease states.
Diaminopharm
Diaminopharm is a chemical manufacturing start-up that uses our proprietary diamine platform for the expedited synthesis of functional libraries. We specialize in generating libraries of catalysts, artificial peptides, and organic materials. By rapid screening of our libraries through a combination of automation and artificial intelligence, we aim to accelerate the discovery of next-generation materials and catalysts.
Liven Proteins
Liven is a functional ingredient company specializing in high-value, food-inspired bioactive peptides for functional foods and natural products. We empower consumers to achieve their health and wellness goals through innovative nutrition. Using proprietary design and precision fermentation, our ingredients require doses hundreds of times lower than other peptides. It is also animal-free and suitable for a variety of food and dietary supplement formulations, providing an efficacious, versatile and convenient solution. Currently, Liven focuses on targeted peptides that mimic the body’s natural signals to enhance joint health and mobility, promoting a vibrant and active lifestyle.
Maman Biomedical
Maman Biomedical is a pioneering startup dedicated to revolutionizing fertility treatment through innovative drug delivery systems. We are working to transform the landscape of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), addressing not only the emotional and physical challenges faced by patients but also the environmental concerns associated with traditional fertility treatments.
Meet the INSPIRE Team
Faisal Halabeya
Lead Instructor & Program Coordinator
Josh Milstein, PhD
Associate Professor,
University of Toronto, Department of Physics | UTM, Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Program Partners
INSPIRE Sponsors
Previous Platinum Sponsor
