As data becomes the engine driving modern discovery, Dr. David Wishart stands at the forefront in building the datasets and AI tools that use information to power innovation. A globally recognized leader in metabolomics and precision health, Dr. Wishart was honoured with the ASTech Award in the AI/ML Advancement and Application category, for his groundbreaking contributions that have revolutionized data-driven innovation and positioned Alberta as a global hub for metabolomics. The ASTech Awards are Alberta’s premiere innovation celebration bringing together the science and technology community to recognize the province’s most innovative individuals, teams and organizations.
Dr. Wishart’s journey began by addressing a major gap in health research: the lack of digital infrastructure to support metabolomics, the study of small molecules involved in metabolism and disease. In 2005, with support from Genome Alberta and Genome Canada, he launched the Human Metabolome Project (HMP). From this effort came the Human Metabolome Database (HMDB), now the world’s most widely used metabolomics resource.
That was just the beginning. Dr. Wishart and his team went on to develop several integrated platforms including DrugBank, MetaboAnalyst, BioTransformer, and MiMeDB. These platforms supported researchers and businesses in over 190 countries to analyze biological data with speed and accuracy, enabling discoveries in fields as diverse as cancer diagnostics, environmental monitoring, pharmacology, and agriculture.
What sets Dr. Wishart’s work apart is the strategic use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, well ahead of its broader adoption in life sciences. His tools apply AI to tasks such as compound classification, spectral analysis, and predictive modelling, making advanced data analysis accessible to users regardless of their coding background. These innovations have not only transformed how metabolomic data is interpreted but also led to real-world applications in diagnostics and drug development.
The technologies he has helped develop now support disease screening for more than 300 conditions using blood, urine, and saliva, bringing us closer to truly personalized medicine. He has also driven the development of portable and point-of-care diagnostic tools, helping bring molecular analysis into community and home settings.
Dr. Wishart’s influence isn’t limited to the academic world. Eleven spinoff companies have emerged from his lab, including DrugBank and Molecular You, creating high-tech jobs and generating millions in revenue for Alberta’s economy. His leadership has fostered an environment where open science, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration flourish.
Dr. David Wishart’s ASTech Award is more than a personal accolade; it’s a recognition of Alberta’s growing leadership in AI/ML, life sciences, and precision medicine. Genome Alberta is proud to support his work and celebrate this milestone in Canadian scientific excellence.
See our Project Portfolio to learn more about projects Genome Alberta has funded in Health, Technology Platforms and AI/ML.
