Stuart Cullum directs NAIT’s applied research, enterprise development and technology transfer activities. Stuart has significant experience in business, technology transfer and early stage investment. In his previous role with WestLink Innovation Network, he was responsible for identifying and building on opportunities to grow business ideas from the research stage into sustainable products. As an investment manager with AVAC Ltd., he assessed project plans and recommended commercialization strategies and investments for a range of clients, including researchers, companies and community stakeholders. Stuart is the inaugural Executive Director of novaNAIT.

Phone 780.378.6190  Email stuartc@nait.ca

Dr. Michael McNamara facilitates, coordinates, and fosters applied research at NAIT in the areas of social science and business.  Mike has significant experience in applied research project management, grants development, and applied research curriculum design and instruction.  Prior to joining NAIT, Mike was an assistant professor in the MBA in Community Economic Development program at Cape Breton University.  He has also taught in the Department of Political Science and the Department of Child & Youth Studies at Brock University.  Mike holds a PhD in Political Science from Simon Fraser University.   

Phone 780.378.6176   Email mcnamara@nait.ca

Matt Mintz directs NAIT’s technology oriented applied research activities.  From facilitating industry partnerships with NAIT’s Schools to supporting growth of applied research activities, Matt brings extensive industry experience to this role. In addition to senior roles developing and managing international alliances in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, Matt was the inaugural Director of the Technology Commercialization Office at BCIT.  In this role, Matt created the institutional foundations for commercializing innovations, assisting faculty entrepreneurs, creating research opportunities and guiding policy development. Matt was an active mentor, hosting Westlink Interns at BCIT and engaging faculty to pursue research.  Matt’s experience also includes documentary film production, corporate communications and restaurant entrepreneurship providing him a broad perspective in approaching opportunities to build value for NAIT’s stakeholders.

Phone 780.378.5352   Email mintzm@nait.ca

David Burry identifies and manages Applied Research and Product Development opportunities and creates partnerships with industry throughout the technology commercialization process. He also manages business incubator and business development activities, including commercial assessment and feasibility studies, and intellectual property and commercialization activities. David has 28 years of private and public sector experience in facilitating and managing customer-focused projects and activities.

Phone 780.378.6187   Email dburry@nait.ca

Dr. Gurusamy (Guru) Chinnasamy sources, facilitates, prepares and manages funding opportunities for applied research and innovation at NAIT. Guru has more than 12 years of experience in basic and applied research projects, research facilitation and planning, and research grant development, management and administration. Most recently, he worked as a Research Grants Facilitator at the University of Western Ontario and the Lawson Health Research Institute (London, Ontario). Guru has completed an NSERC Visiting Fellowship at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Winnipeg), postdoctoral fellowships at McGill University and University of Montreal, and a PhD (Biology) at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Phone 780.378.6171   Email gurusamc@nait.ca

Hugh Seaton has been professionally involved in applied research and economic development in northern Alberta since 1985. Hugh holds a Masters in Environmental Design, University of Calgary and is based in Peace River. Hugh was the founding manager of the Boreal Research Institute in 1995, a regional partnership of industry, post secondary, and communities. Hugh manages a team responsible for applied research, technology transfer, and forest education. Prior to NAIT, Hugh was Research Director with the Northern Alberta Development Council.

Phone 780.618.2602   Email hseaton@nait.ca

Randy Thompson provides valuable guidance and mentoring assistance to novaNAIT incubator clients and small and medium enterprises as novaNAIT’s first Entrepreneur in Residence. He has also relocated the Edmonton VentureAlberta office to the Duncan McNeill Centre for Innovation, which will provide novaNAIT and incubator clients a closer tie to the investment community. Randy has been working in the startup venture space since 1992 when he started the first ISP in Alberta. In 1999, he started working on developing angel groups in Alberta, starting with an organization that matched deals for Western Canada investors on the Internet. In 2001, Randy began to work as a venture capital advisor to the Province of Alberta and started the Alberta California Venture Channel, bringing together investors and companies in both regions. He is president of the VentureAlberta Forum, one of the largest gatherings of business angels in Edmonton and Calgary, which has funded 44 startups, and is a partner in the fund Mesic Venture.

Phone 780.378.6196   Email rthompson@nait.ca

Dr. Dunlop is responsible for facilitating applied research projects including the identification and integration of faculty expertise into projects and partnership formation with industry and government. Kirsty provides educational support for applied research grant writing and projects, and teaches the faculty applied research course.  She also manages internal grant funding opportunities.  Kirsty has more than 9 years of experience in basic and applied research projects, research facilitation and planning, proposal writing, and research grant management and administration. Prior to her position with NAIT, Kirsty gained a PhD in Protein Crystallography from the University of Alberta, was an entrepreneur, and had previous roles in the biotechnology and research and development industries.

Phone 780.378.6175   Email kirstyd@nait.ca  

Brenda Morgan assists novaNAIT staff and their clients with project accounting and financial issues.  She is a Certified Management Accountant with more than 20 years experience managing finance areas in public institutions, most recently post secondary.  Brenda joined the Institutional Projects Department at NAIT in late 2009 and is assigned to novaNAIT to manage financial matters.

Phone 780.378.6166   Email bmorgan@nait.ca  

Jenine Cerny provides writing, communication, marketing and industry liaison services to enhance, promote and support novaNAIT’s priorities.  She is also the primary contact for information regarding novaNAIT’s events and initiatives.   Jenine gained valuable research and technical writing experience from her work in with Alberta Municipal Affairs.  Most recently, Jenine held the position of Marketing and Communications Manager for an international transportation company where she successfully led their strategic marketing and sales initiatives.

Phone 780.378.6168   Email jeninec@nait.ca  

Monique Mackay – Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director

Monique Mackay works with the Executive Director and all the novaNAIT staff in their applied research, prototype development and technology transfer activities. She is a long-time NAIT employee who has held administrative positions in various programs across the institute, ranging from Optical Sciences and Academic Upgrading to Continuing Education diploma programs in Occupational Health and Safety and Emergency Management. In 2008, she advanced to the Executive Office as Administrative Assistant to the Associate Vice President, Academic. She joined novaNAIT in early 2009.

Phone 780.378.6170   Email moniquem@nait.ca

As a receptionist and administrator, Colleen Porter is the primary contact at the novaNAIT St. Albert campus.  Her position involves providing administration assistance to novaNAIT incubation clients and NAIT researchers, and coordinating the daily operations of the facility. Colleen’s past professional experience includes working as a Deposit Application Administrator in the Credit and Collection department at Lilydale Inc. and she has worked for several years as a Condominium Property Administrator.

Phone 780.378.2899   Email cporter@nait.ca