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Conestoga Applied Research
Conestoga Applied Research

Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Research at Conestoga creates practical solutions that address real-world challenges

We work with industry and community partners to develop innovative products, improve processes, and support informed decision-making. Through applied research, technology development, and knowledge transfer, our research teams help businesses grow, strengthen communities, and build a better future.

In 2024, Conestoga ranked as one of the top 20 research colleges in Canada by engaging with 175 industry and community partners, 177 active projects, and hiring 251 students. 

Centres, labs, and institutes

Research impact

A pop up banner about the food stories project

Exploring food, belonging, and community through narrative with international students

This mixed-methods research project explored the connections between food, storytelling, and community-building among international students at Conestoga. In partnership with the Kuwait Aid Network, the team conducted a student survey, hosted community consultations, and gathered qualitative data through four writing pop-up events that invited students to share stories and reflections related to food, identity, and belonging.
Using a credit card to purchase something on a laptop

Advancing sustainable procurement through supplier evaluation at Conestoga

This project explored how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria could be applied to supplier evaluation to support more sustainable procurement practices at the college. A campus-wide questionnaire was distributed to Conestoga’s supplier base to establish a sustainability baseline, identify gaps and strengths, and strengthen the college’s alignment with responsible procurement goals.
Health care worker and a patient

Improving clinical care with real-time data integration at the Waterloo Regional Health Network

Conestoga partnered with the Waterloo Regional Health Network (formerly the Grand River Hospital) and the National Institutes of Health Informatics Canada on a Mitacs-funded project to improve data integration and real-time analytics in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The team addressed challenges such as fragmented systems, unstructured notes, and inconsistent documentation by developing tools to support more informed clinical decision-making. 

Research & Innovation leadership

Rose Mastnak headshot

Rose Mastnak, MBA

Director, Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective

Jeff Dukes

Jeff Dukes, P.Eng.

Director, SMART Centre

Amin Yazdani, PhD, CSP

Amin Yazdani, PhD, CSP

Executive director, Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance

Linda Sheiban Taucar headshot

Linda Sheiban Taucar, RN, B.Sc., B.Sc.N, M.Sc.

Director, Centre for Health Care Research & Innovation

Alla Darwish

Alla Darwish, PhD, MBA

Director, commercialization & IP mobilization

Nicole Detlor

Nicole Detlor, M.Sc., P.Eng.

Director, Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab

Anthony Piscitelli

Anthony Piscitelli, PhD

Director, Conestoga Social Innovation Lab

Sherri Steele

Sherri Steele, PhD

Director, SoTL, Teaching Innovation & Assessment

Michelle Chrétien, PhD

Michelle Chrétien, PhD

Vice president, Research & Innovation

Sal Jiddawi

Saleh Jiddawi, MBA

Director, research operations

Tim Gibbins

Tim Gibbins, MBA

Director, research engagement

By the numbers (2024) 

In funding
Active projects
Industry & community partners engaged

Contact 

See how Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship can help you access faculty expertise, student employees, and the college's innovative lab spaces and equipment.

 Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship logo

96 Grand Avenue South. 
Cambridge, Ontario, N1S 2L9, Canada

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