Tailor-made solutions to empower industries and communities to improve processes, technologies, and services.
We make market-driven decisions that create impact for organizations, communities, and learners by offering exceptional training and applied research services. We take pride in igniting creativity and continuous improvement, within our teams and our customers. At NAIT Applied Research, we work with our industry partners to address their complex problems and find solutions that improve processes, create technologies, and make an impact for Albertans.
06/18/2026
Please join us in congratulating Tasha Ritchie! 🎉
Tasha has been named one of Canadian Occupational Safety's Top Safety Leaders Under 35 for 2026, recognized alongside 39 other rising stars across the country for her work as Coordinator -Safety, Space, and Equipment at NAIT.
We're so proud to have her on the Industry Solutions team. Well-deserved, Tasha. 👏
Have you met Hanna Davidson?
She is one of our Grant Development Specialist at Applied Research, who does a lot more than just write grants. Hanna and the team are truly the backbone of NAIT Applied Research, supporting our research and researchers exactly where they need it most.
We sat down with her to learn a bit about herself, bust a few myths about grant writers, and figure out what grant development actually looks like behind the scenes.
Have any questions for us? Reach out to us at www.nait.ca/research
06/16/2026
We were named a finalist at this year's Emerald Awards - and we're incredibly proud!
Our project, Monitoring Emerging Contaminants in Freshwater: Microplastics in a Complex Urban Watershed, was recognized in the Water category, an acknowledgment of the rigorous, community-relevant research our team brings to some of Alberta's most pressing environmental challenges.
Thank you to the Emerald Awards for shining a light on it and congratulations to all the finalists and winners! The depth of environmental leadership represented at this year's ceremony was nothing short of inspiring. 🌿
Max Roffey is a research assistant, which means he spends his days figuring out how to build things that actually work.
When he finished his program at NAIT and came to work with us, we had plenty of challenges waiting for him. Classroom engineering is neat and controlled. Applied research is something else entirely - and no textbook has the answers.
What stood out about Max was that his training was hands-on enough that the transition felt less like a leap and more like a next step. He walked into the lab, picked up the tools, and got to work.
We sat down with Max to talk about student experience working at Applied Research and what it’s like to see your education translate directly into a real career.
06/09/2026
🚀 Got an idea that could change the world? Now's your chance to make it real.
Applications are open for the Technology Readiness Level-Up (TRL) program - a national, four-month commercialization experience built for student innovators across Canada.
Here's what you get:
✅ $10,000 stipend
✅ Mentorship from industry experts
✅ Hands-on training to take your idea from research to reality
Technical, scientific, social, or community-based - if you're innovating, TRL is for you.
📅 Deadline: Monday, June 29
🔗 More info https://bit.ly/3RZIsHZ
What's in Alberta's rivers? 🔬
We sat down with Applied Chemist, Jeremiah Bryksa, to answer exactly that - and the conversation might surprise you!
NAIT Applied Research has spent four years developing new ways to detect and measure microplastics in the North Saskatchewan River. The result? One of the most comprehensive freshwater microplastics datasets in Canada.
And we're proud to share that this project has been nominated for an Emerald Award, recognized alongside some of Alberta's most impactful environmental initiatives. The ceremony is June 4, and we couldn't be more excited!
Check out our latest Ask a Scientist!
05/27/2026
At the 2026 Canadian Research Security Conference in Winnipeg, Indigenous Elder Norman Meade opened with a sweetgrass braid - a simple but powerful reminder that individual strands are fragile, but braided together they're remarkably strong.
It was the perfect frame for Director Peter Laffin's presentation with Erika Barrios (SAIT) and Rachel Kelijzer(Red River Polytech) on Building Research Security Capacity in Colleges & Polytechnics - covering the unique challenges our sector faces: limited resources, governance gaps, industry awareness, and demonstrating our value.
At NAIT, we see those braided threads in our growing connections across the college sector and through the Alberta Research Security Community of Practice. We are stronger, and more resilient, together.
05/13/2026
A huge thank you to CIM for including us at last week's event - it was an incredible few days of connection, collaboration, and innovation with some of the brightest minds in the mining and resources sector.
We were proud to have two of our talented researchers take the stage:
🎤 Dr. Quamrul Huda presented on automated inspection and early predictions in mining operations through sensor data acquisition and real-time analytics - showcasing our collaborative work with Alberta oil and gas industry partners on predictive maintenance and early fault detection.
🎤 Jason Ng, Research Engineer, presented on real-time monitoring of oil sands process streams using a low-field NMR analyzer - an innovative, non-invasive solution for continuous bitumen and water content monitoring.
We left Vancouver inspired and energized, with new connections and a renewed commitment to applied research that makes a real difference for industry. 💡
Until next time, CIM! 👋
05/12/2026
We’re proud to be shortlisted for the 35th Annual Emerald Awards, and we’d love for you to be part of the celebration!
The Emerald Awards bring together organizations and individuals from across Alberta, celebrating the work that’s shaping a more sustainable and resilient future 🌱
Join us on June 4 in Calgary to see what amazing environmental work is happening in our province (including ours!) and celebrate our collective impact.
Get your tickets ️👇
https://bit.ly/4njq4oX
Use code SHORTLIST26 for 50% off
It takes incredible people to champion Alberta's food & beverage industry, and Gary Hughes, Local Development Manager at Sobeys, is one of the best! 🌾
As a judge for the 2026 Alberta Food & Beverage Awards, Gary is helping shine a light on the local producers, makers, and innovators who make this province's food scene extraordinary. Quality, innovation, and craftsmanship are at the heart of what's being recognized. We are thrilled to be a part of this event and to have amazing collaborators, like Gary, at the table.
Join us at the 2026 Alberta Food & Beverage Awards on June 5th!
🎟️ https://bit.ly/3QZvRUN