Nolan De Leon (MD, PhD) at Falling Walls Science Summit, Berlin, Germany
Taking the stage at the global Falling Walls Lab in Berlin
University of Manitoba Falling Walls Lab grand-prize winner Nolan De Leon (MD, PhD) took the main stage at the global Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin, Germany, November 7 to 9. The annual event is inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, and unites the world’s greatest minds that are breaking down barriers in science, society and innovation.
“I am grateful and absolutely humbled to have been able to represent The University of Manitoba at such an important event,” said Nolan. “It was amazing to share the stage with 100 passionate thinkers and dreamers from countries all around the globe that are trying to face the world’s greatest challenges head on.”
Nolan gave his presentation Breaking the Wall of Prenatal Diagnostics at Manitoba Falling Walls Lab, held at Smartpark in September.
“The presentations in Berlin were phenomenal and broadened my perspective of what I thought possible,” Nolan said. “During one of the days of the conference I took my skateboard and, little did I know, holding a skateboard while wearing a suit was an incredible invitation for networking. I created many lasting relationships with new collaborators who share the goal of bringing humanity back into medicine.”
Nolan De Leon also won first place at the 2021 UM Three Minute Thesis finals, where he took home the Dr. Archie McNicol Prize.
The Manitoba Falling Walls Lab competition is hosted by the Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation office, supported by many partners from inside and outside the UM, to elevate ideas of UM community members with the potential to reshape the future of science and humanity.
“It was mind-blowing being in Berlin among so many global innovation leaders, sponsored by the European Research Council and many of the German U15 research-intensive universities” said Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden, Associate Vice-President (Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation), who was in Berlin for Nolan’s presentation.
“UM participation at Falling Walls provides access to a global innovation network and is perfectly aligned with our vision for the newly launched Idea Start program. Canada had a great showing and the pitch by Dina Rogers from Dalhousie University entitled Biological Plastic Degradation was the 2024 global Falling Walls Lab winner.”
The Falling Walls Science Summit showcases breakthroughs to tackle today’s major global challenges like climate change, health crises and technological upheavals. Get involved on the Manitoba Falling Walls Lab webpage. What walls will you break?
Research at the University of Manitoba is partially supported by funding from the Government of Canada Research Support Fund.