For the full interview, please visit CTV Your Morning.

For the full interview, please head to CTV.

For the full story, please visit CBC News.

The full interview is available to listen to on CBC.

To read the article, please visit Winnipeg Free Press.

To read the full article, please visit Classic 107.

Nevertheless, David Gerhard, head of computer science at the University of Manitoba, says he doubts they will ever reach the level of a human being.

To read the entire article, please visit CBC.

Dr. Hans Joachim Wieden will join Luma Clarindo Lopes, winner of the 2025 Falling Walls Lab Manitoba in front of the Admin building.

WINNIPEG — In a proud moment for Manitoba’s innovation community, Dr. Hans‑Joachim Wieden, Associate Vice-President Partnership, Knowledge Mobilisation and Innovation, joins Luma Clarindo Lopes, winner of the 2025 Falling Walls Lab Manitoba, on her journey to Berlin this week for the Falling Walls Science Summit.

IDEA START, in partnership with the University of Manitoba (UM) and the University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg), hosted the Falling Walls Lab Manitoba 2025, bringing together some of the province’s brightest minds in a celebration of innovation, research, and collaboration. The event’s success underscored Manitoba’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive innovation culture, making it a truly Manitoban initiative.

At the prestigious global summit, Luma will present her groundbreaking idea alongside 99 other Lab winners from around the world. She’ll be representing the University of Manitoba, our province and Canada alongside fellow Canadian finalists Annika Benson (Atlantic Canada), Artem Kushnirenko (Toronto), and Harry Wilton‑Clark (Edmonton), showcasing the strength and diversity of Canadian innovation on the world stage.

This participation underscores Manitoba’s growing footprint in research, development and innovation, reinforcing how platforms like Falling Walls can bridge local insight with international opportunity.

Empowering Manitoba’s Innovation Narrative

With Manitoba’s research and innovation sector rapidly evolving, the arrival of Luma and Dr. Wieden in Berlin represents more than mere attendance, it signals strategic alignment and ambition. As the province continues to build capacity in science‑driven enterprise, having a representative stand on the global stage advances our story and elevates local credibility.

Dr. Wieden commented:

“Berlin is not only a centre for science but a nexus of global collaboration. For Manitoba to have a voice among the world’s leading early‑career innovators is a powerful step. This platform enables us to put Manitoba squarely on the map of breakthrough research and enterprise.”

Spotlight on Luma Clarindo Lopes

Luma, whose innovative project earned her the Manitoba Lab winner title, is preparing to showcase her idea at the Fallings Walls Summit and engage with peers, mentors and global decision‑makers.

She shared:

“Representing Manitoba on this global stage is incredibly exciting. Meeting other finalists‑innovators from around the world, exchanging ideas and learning from diverse perspectives will be a career‑shaping experience. I’m proud to carry the province’s flag and eager for every minute of the journey.”

Strategic Value for Manitoba’s Ecosystem

Platforms like Falling Walls Lab offer powerful momentum for both individuals and regions. For early-career innovators, it’s a chance to gain global exposure, sharpen their pitching skills, and build international networks. For ecosystems like Manitoba, it means a stronger talent pipeline, greater visibility, and new opportunities for collaboration.

These ripple effects support broader provincial goals, from accelerating research-to-market pathways to attracting investment and deepening ties between academia and industry.

In this landscape, Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden plays a pivotal role. He’s not only helping Luma prepare for the global stage but also positioning Manitoba’s innovation story within a wider international narrative. His mentorship highlights a key truth: behind every standout idea is a community working toward lasting impact.

Canadian Cohort Joins Global Innovation Line‑Up

• Annika Benson (Atlantic Canada): Winner of the Falling Walls Lab Atlantic Canada, now advancing to present in Berlin to present her research on development and testing of a miniature, high-resolution, tracked ultrasound probe for brain surgery.
• Artem Kushnirenko (Toronto): PhD candidate and Lab Toronto winner, heading to Berlin to pitch his translational surgical analytics innovation.
• Harry Wilton‑Clark (Edmonton): First‑place winner at Lab Edmonton 2025 with a project on antisense therapy for rare diseases.

Together with Luma, they form a Canadian cadre taking local innovation to the world’s premier science summit.

In Summary

The trip to Berlin is not simply a travel opportunity, it is a tangible expression of Manitoba’s ambition to be recognized among global centres of innovation. With Luma Clarindo Lopes representing Manitoba on the world stage, accompanied by Dr. Hans‑Joachim Wieden, the province is charting a path from local ingenuity to global relevance. The journey will unfold not just in Berlin, but in how Manitoba leverages this spotlight to advance its innovation agenda.

The annual list is compiled by the Women’s Executive Network, a national member-based organization that celebrates the advancement of women in all sectors and of all ages. Categories in which UM has been recognized include women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), corporate performance and professionals.    

The winners will be honoured at an awards gala on Nov. 27 in Toronto.  

Corporate Performance Category  

Krystyna Koczanski Associate Dean (Administration), Faculty of Science 

Krystyna Koczanski is a dynamic academic leader and educator whose work bridges vision and practicality.  

She helps steward more than $65 million in projects that strengthen research, sustainability, and create spaces that blend function and inspiration—beautiful environments where people feel they belong.  

A 2019 recipient of the UM Outstanding Teacher Award, she also launched UM’s participation in the SHAD program, Canada’s STEAM and entrepreneurship youth program. She spearheaded the transformative learning experience in Churchill celebrating Manitoba’s North and its role in shaping future innovators. 

STEM Category

Dr. Mojgan Rastegar Professor of biochemistry and medical genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences 

Dr. Mojgan Rastegar is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of epigenetic regulation of brain development. Her research explores how epigenetic deregulations at the cellular and molecular levels lead to compromised brain function, mental disability and neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett Syndrome, a rare and progressive neurodevelopmental disease.  With a leadership role in Rett Syndrome research in Canada, Rastegar has established the Human Rett Syndrome Brain Bio-Repository Laboratory in Manitoba as the Canadian site for post-mortem brain donations from Rett Syndrome patients. 

Beyond her scientific achievements, Rastegar is a passionate advocate for women in STEM, dedicating significant time to mentoring and training women in science, and inspiring them to cultivate their curiosity and pursue their ambitions from a young age. 

Professionals Category  

Dr. Lori Wilkinson Distinguished professor department of sociology and affiliated professor Faculty of Law   

A distinguished academic leader and Canada Research Chair, Wilkinson is renowned for her expansive research on the social impacts of humanitarian crises, refugee and immigrant resettlement, vulnerable children and youth, religious persecution, gender-based health inequities, Indigenous reconciliation, francophone resettlement, and anti-racism efforts.  

Her work integrates rigorous statistical and empirical analysis with qualitative methods to produce both scholarly insight and policy-relevant outcomes. As a public sociologist, she collaborates closely with immigrant community-led advisory committees to dispel migration myths and contribute meaningfully to anti-racism initiatives. A committed knowledge mobilizer, she ensures her findings are widely shared to inform policy and practice. Her research is deeply rooted in social justice, with a focus on inequality, migration and practical application. She also plays a vital mentorship role, guiding emerging scholars, new academics, policymakers and professionals in the settlement support sector. 

To listen to the podcast and read about the story, please visit CBC’s As It Happens.