Celebrating the 2025 IDEA Award Winners and the Spirit of Innovation
March 19, 2026
The energy at UAF is electric! At OIPC, we don't just see research papers and data sets, we see the seeds of the next great technological revolution.
OIPC was thrilled to partner with the Center for Innovation’s inaugural Arctic Velocity event to present the Innovations, Disclosures, and Entrepreneurial Activities (IDEA) Awards. It was a day defined by high energy, brilliant minds, and a shared vision for what ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ-grown innovation can do for our community.
We believe the most "aha!" moments happen at the intersection of different fields.
When we break down silos and foster interdisciplinary teamwork, the creative output
is nothing short of extraordinary.
The numbers from the 2024-2025 academic year speak for themselves:
- 49 innovative projects disclosed and scored.
- Participation spanning 14 UAF and UAS institutes.
- 6 exceptional teams taking home the top prizes.
On March 6, we gathered over lunch to spotlight the researchers who are pushing boundaries from the depths of arctic lakes to the reaches of outer space.
Congratulations to our 2025 IDEA Award winners:
|
Winners |
Project/Innovation |
|
ASF Science Enabling Services Team |
"OpenSARLab" |
|
Melanie Engram & Katey Walter Anthony |
"Remote Sensing and Mapping of Methane Seeps in Lakes" |
|
Paul Bernhardt |
"Space Debris and Radiation Removal" & "Insitu Passive Tracking and Detection of Space Debris Methodology" |
|
Kyle Ketchell, Juliann Colwell, Ken MacPherson, Sam Delamere, Luke Blom, & Ryan Sacker |
"Waveform Anomaly Reporting Platform (WARP)" |
|
Cameron Westerlund |
"Virtual Aurora Camera Model and Code" |
|
Petie Deveer, Hailey Hodgins, & Adrian Burke |
"PULSEtastic" |
To learn about the projects, please find their one pagers displayed on our IDEAS page.
One of the most exciting highlights of the event was the reaction from our industry guests. Several leaders mentioned they had no idea such impactful, world-class research was happening right here in Fairbanks. They are excited to collaborate, and OIPC is ready to be the bridge that connects your research to industry partners for maximum societal impact.
"Being able to highlight what brings these researchers joy is exactly why we host these events! The passion in the room was palpable, and it’s that drive that will solve the challenges of tomorrow" said Tech Transfer Associate Stephanie Wright
OIPC knows that navigating the "tech transfer" pathway takes extra effort. To support you, OIPC is excited to launch a new service for the UAF and UAS community: The Ideas Portal, powered by our partners at Tradespace.
This portal is designed to give your research a competitive edge. Simply upload your university-affiliated research ideas to receive:
- Market Analysis: See where your idea fits in the global landscape.
- Commercial Applications: Identify potential industries that need your solution.
- Competitive Advantages: Understand exactly what makes your innovation unique.
You can find the portal on our website under the â€Æྱ²õ³¦±ô´Ç²õ³Ü°ù±ð†heading or access it directly here:
OIPC is here to protect your intellectual property, engage with industry, and fuel your commercialization efforts. Whether you are in the middle of a breakthrough or just have a "crazy idea" on a napkin, we want to hear from you.
Congratulations again to our awardees! Thank you for being the heartbeat of innovation at UAF.
Ready to see your name on the list next year? Reach out to us to discuss your project and start your journey toward the 2026 IDEA Awards.