Licensing OpportunitiesFaculty & Students

Meet the Research Innovation Office

Office of the Assistant Vice-President, Research (Innovation & Knowledge Mobilization)

Headshot of Jessica Bowes

Jessica Bowes

Assistant Vice-President, Research (Innovation & Knowledge Mobilization) 

With an entrepreneurial outlook and a genuine passion for supporting ground-breaking ideas, Jessica is responsible for innovation broadly across campus. She works closely with the greater community to grow and maintain strategic research alliances with private- and public-sector partners looking to innovate, enhance knowledge translation, foster social impact, and convert ideas and research into commercial opportunities. 

avprikm@uoguelph.ca | 519-824-4120, Ext. 54100

Technology Transfer

Headshot of Steve De Brabandere

Steve De Brabandere

Director, Technology Transfer and Industry Liaison

Leads the technology transfer team in IP protection, licensing & commercialization activities.

sdebrab@uoguelph.ca | 519-824-4120, Ext. 54916

Headshot of David Hobson

David Hobson

Manager, Technology Transfer & Entrepreneurship

Supports inventions moving through the technology transfer process, while fostering entrepreneurship in university research programs.

dhobson@uoguelph.ca

Headshot of Steve Dinka

Steve Dinka

Technology Transfer Manager, Germplasm

Works with plant breeders, government, industry leaders, companies, and growers to increase the commercial impact of new U of G plant varieties.

germplasm@uoguelph.ca

Headshot Mohammad Khodabakhshi

Mohammad Khodabakhshi

Technology Transfer Officer

Assists with the evaluation, protection, marketing, and commercialization of new U of G inventions and innovations.

mkhodaba@uoguelph.ca

Headshot of Beth Brittain

Beth Brittain

Technology Transfer & Agreements Assistant

Primary administrator of the technology transfer database ensuring licensing and agreements are kept in good standing.

ipadmin@uoguelph.ca

Industry Liaison

Headshot of Kaleigh Rajna

Kaleigh Rajna

Industry Liaison Officer

Promotes meaningful collaboration and knowledge exchange by facilitating research opportunities between faculty and external partners.

krajna@uoguelph.ca | 519-824-4120, Ext. 56426

Headshot of Emily Gordon

Emily Gordon

Senior Advisor - University of Guelph (Mitacs)

Promotes and supports Mitacs program delivery across all colleges, increasing opportunities for collaborative research.

egordo05@uoguelph.ca

New Venture Creation

Headshot of Tyler Zemlak

Tyler Zemlak

Manager, Innovation Strategy

Enhances innovation, entrepreneurship, and partnerships through efficient program implementation and support services.

tzemlak@uoguelph.ca | 519-824-4120, Ext. 53512

Headshot of Kelly Ziegler

Kelly Ziegler

Project Coordinator, New Venture Creation

Develops and manages operational work plans within the New Venture Creation portfolio to achieve strategic goals and project objectives.

kziegler@uoguelph.ca | 519-824-4120, Ext. 58289

Knowledge Mobilization

Headshot of Valerie Hruska

Valerie Hruska

Knowledge Mobilization and Communications Coordinator

Supports new and existing knowledge mobilization initiatives, including training, capacity development, and the Policy Fellowship Program.

vhruska@uoguelph.ca | (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53351

Agricultural Genomics Action Centre (AG-ACt)

Headshot Alexandra Burdett

Alex Burdett

Operations Director, Agricultural Genomics Action Centre

Spearheading innovation and knowledge mobilization efforts to advance Genome Canada’s Climate Smart Agriculture and Food Systems research portfolio.

burdetta@uoguelph.ca | (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53093

Headshot Laine Young

Laine Young

Portfolio Manager, Agricultural Genomics Action Centre

Engages ecosystem partners associated with Genome Canada’s Climate Smart Agriculture and Food Systems research portfolio.

lyoung12@uoguelph.ca 

Support Staff

Headshot of Nakita Byrne-Mamahit

Nakita Byrne-Mamahit

Project Coordinator, Commercialization Outcomes

Enhancing the awareness of existing and arising intellectual property through various commercialization projects.

nbyrnema@uoguelph.ca | (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53592

Headshot of Michelle Provencher

Michelle Provencher

Financial Officer

Oversees financial management and related reporting aspects for Research Innovation Office activities and portfolios.

riofinance@uoguelph.ca | (519) 824-4120, Ext. 52557

Headshot of Michelle Stringer

Michelle Stringer

Project Coordinator

Accelerates the advancement and implementation of various projects.

ebling@uoguelph.ca | (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56009

Headshot of Melissa Williams

Melissa Williams

Office Coordinator

Offers administrative support to Research Innovation Office staff, ensuring the office's smooth operation.

melissaw@uoguelph.ca | (519) 824-4120, Ext. 58878