About the Innovation

Dr. Dianne Malley is using an existing technology called Spectroscopy in an innovative and exciting way to analyze water and soil for evidence of contaminants or pollution. The use of the technology, which uses infrared light, for environmental analysis is unique.

By shining infrared light (which is next to invisible) on water or soil, Dianne is able to come up with the composition of the sample. The analysis can be done quickly in a minute or less, and the water and soil samples are not destroyed. Because health issues are of pressing concern, the speed of these analyses allows for immediate action. She started applying the technology in 1991 while working for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' Freshwater Institute, and she started her company in 1997.

For the future, Dianne is optimistic that there is a major role for her company to play in the hog industry, where these first innovative techniques can be applied. Other types of analysis are costly and time consuming, and can sometimes take weeks or months to complete. Subsequently, the environmental analysis often isn't useful and does little to prevent environmental hazards and pollution (such as E-coli contamination).

About the Innovator

When Dr. Dianne Malley was in grade 10, she saw a television show on oceans that inspired her to pursue a career in science as an Oceanographer. She received her Masters of Science from the University of British Columbia and, in 1972, her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Born in Ontario, she now lives in Winnipeg with her husband and three daughters. While at graduate school, she was fortunate to have a wonderful group of friends and colleagues that shared her goal of using knowledge to make the world a better place. Dianne worked in Malaysia for 2 1/2 years, where she developed an understanding of the environmental and economic problems facing people living in sub-tropical climates. Later, while working in the Arctic, she witnessed totally different environmental problems faced by Arctic residents.

Dianne is proud of her participation on a team that conducted research on acid rain. The resulting findings proved to be very influential in the United States. On a personal level, she enjoys integrating science, the women's movement, the environment and spirituality into her life. As a mother, she has become a good role model for her daughters. Each of her daughters has a strong personality and they all have interesting lives.