Annika Benson, a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at Dalhousie University, has been named the winner of the 2025 Falling Walls Lab Atlantic Canada competition, hosted by Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU).
Falling Walls Lab is a global interdisciplinary pitch competition and networking forum for students and early-career professionals. It's designed to identify breakthrough ideas and research aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time. It also connects young innovators with leading experts. As winner of the Atlantic event, Annika will compete at the global finale in Berlin, Germany on November 7, 2025.
Annika's pitch was titled Breaking the Wall of Brain Cancer Treatment. In short, she presented a solution to address gaps in neurosurgical guidance technology: a new miniature, high-resolution, tracked ultrasound probe.
With standard surgical guidance tools, neurosurgeons are often unable to accurately locate and remove brain tumours, negatively impacting patient outcomes. While ultrasound imaging has been shown to improve tumour resection, its use remains limited due to large tool sizes and low image quality. The novel technology Annika presented has the potential to improve the accuracy and efficacy of brain tumour removal by providing precise imaging through narrow pathways.
Falling Walls Lab Atlantic Canada 2025 judges, from left to right: The Honourable Brendan Maguire, Dr. Joël Dickinson, Peter Moreira and Cathy Bennett
Fifteen students and young professionals presented their ideas at last night's Atlantic Canadian competition in three-minute pitches to a panel of judges. The competition was held at the Halifax Central Library. Judges included:
- Dr. Joël Dickinson, President and Vice-Chancellor, Mount Saint Vincent University
- The Honourable Brendan Maguire, Minister of Advanced Education, Government of Nova Scotia
- Cathy Bennett, Founding and Managing Partner, Sandpiper Ventures
- Peter Moreira, Editor-in-Chief, Entrevestor
Said Dr. Joël Dickinson, President and Vice-Chancellor of MSVU, this year's host institution, and event judge: "We were blown away by the calibre of the ideas presented last night. Atlantic Canada is home to incredible students with ideas capable of changing the world for the better. We are in very good hands with innovators like these as our future. Our winner Annika has all of Atlantic Canada cheering her on as she showcases her leadership in Berlin this fall."
Falling Walls Lab Atlantic Canada was supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
"Falling Walls Lab shines a spotlight on the incredible talent and innovation coming out of Atlantic Canada. For two years running, our regional winners have gone on to win globally proof that the ideas born here are world-class. Congratulations to this year's Atlantic winner Annika Benson: your bold idea and compelling pitch have earned you a place on the global stage in Berlin. ACOA is proud to help foster the next generation of changemakers who are breaking down walls and building a better future."
- Shannon Miedema, Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
About Falling Walls Lab
Falling Walls Lab is a world-class pitch competition and networking forum that brings together a diverse and interdisciplinary pool of students and early-career professionals by providing a stage for breakthrough ideas both globally and locally. Their multifaceted formats support their participants in driving their innovations and develop their communication skills, fostering collaboration and creating a space for their impactful and sustainable community to thrive.
Falling Walls Lab is organized by the Falling Walls Foundation and generously funded by the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (global finale) and Sartorius (international Labs). It is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German Research Foundation (DFG), and Springer Nature.
