Engineering Smarter Solutions for Life Sciences

Ayuda Bioworks is a student-run engineering startup creating clever, affordable tools for biotechnology and healthcare research.

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About Us

We’re a team of engineering students from the University of Victoria passionate about bringing accessible, well-engineered tools to the biotechnology and healthcare space. Drawing on backgrounds in biomedical and software engineering, we develop practical lab instruments that combine precision, usability, and affordability. Our current focus is a biomolecule dialysis system that reimagines a classic lab technique with modern control and automation — bridging the gap between research innovation and engineering excellence.

Lab and User First

Every tool starts with a real user and a real challenge at the bench. We prototype fast, test often, and refine with feedback to make sure our devices feel right in the hands of researchers.

Cross-Discipline Collaboration

Our projects live at the intersection of disciplines — engineers, biologists, and designers all bringing their own perspective. We believe real innovation happens when people with different skills build together.

Innovation Focus

We love solving problems that others overlook. By combining hands-on experimentation with clever engineering, we turn simple ideas into practical, game-changing biotech tools.

Our Mission

to empower researchers and innovators in the life sciences with better, more reliable tools — designed from the ground up by engineers who understand the realities of the lab.

Our Team

"Connecting science and accomplishment."

Derek Zellmann - COO
Derek Zellmann - COO

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Zachary Toews - CTO
Zak Toews - CTO

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Tavin Shamess - CBO
Tavin Shamess - CBO

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Our Projects

Our flagship project is a compact, automated dialysis system that improves precision, reduces hands-on time, and enables real-time monitoring of biomolecule diffusion. Designed for researchers who need efficient purification and concentration workflows, it brings advanced engineering to an essential but often overlooked process.

Exploded View of Dialysis Machine

Chemical Dialysis Purification System

Accessible, feature-rich, biomolecule dialysis filtration system.


Pitch Video
Filtration Automation Biomolecules Lab Work

Contact Us

Interested in piloting our device-in-development? Get in touch with our team!

📧 Email

ztoews(at)uvic(dot)ca

📍 Location

Victoria, BC

🕒 Business Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

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