Meet the Research Innovation Office
Office of the Assistant Vice-President, Research (Innovation & Knowledge Mobilization)
![Headshot of Jessica Bowes](https://www.uoguelph.ca/.netlify/images?w=1561&h=1561&fm=webp&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2024-01%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_Jessica%2520Bowes%25202023.jpg&cd=20d1e3ad8ad2af3e7330d8e45b648934)
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](/.netlify/images?w=750&h=750&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2023-11%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_Steve%2520De%2520Brabandere%25202023.jpg&cd=2c1af7388ebb5aea10696612e368fe4f)
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](/.netlify/images?w=750&h=750&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2023-11%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_David%2520Hobson%25202023.jpg&cd=512aba8a3bc3d5c0ce1b2c03f5f5a4a5)
David Hobson
Manager, Technology Transfer & Entrepreneurship
Supports inventions moving through the technology transfer process, while fostering entrepreneurship in university research programs.
![Headshot of Steve Dinka](/.netlify/images?w=750&h=750&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2024-05%2Frio_staff-photos_steve-dinka-2024_0.jpg&cd=487f76ba36251e693ac1695628a2160a)
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.
![Headshot of Beth Brittain](/.netlify/images?w=750&h=750&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2023-11%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_Beth%2520Brittain%25202023.jpg&cd=7da600f6cbc517b9c88a140364c1f5c8)
Beth Brittain
Technology Transfer & Agreements Assistant
Primary administrator of the technology transfer database ensuring licensing and agreements are kept in good standing.
Industry Liaison
![Headshot of Kaleigh Rajna](/.netlify/images?w=750&h=750&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2023-11%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_Kaleigh%2520Rajna%25202023.jpg&cd=62ae83f6fabe54969440c01985f1f396)
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](/.netlify/images?w=340&h=340&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2024-01%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_Emily%2520Gordon%25202023.jpg&cd=afa648060cea537c617c8f195c81b9ae)
Emily Gordon
Senior Advisor - University of Guelph (Mitacs)
Promotes and supports Mitacs program delivery across all colleges, increasing opportunities for collaborative research.
New Venture Creation
![Headshot of Tyler Zemlak](/.netlify/images?w=750&h=750&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2023-11%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_Tyler%2520Zemlak%25202023.jpg&cd=42c7371d98ec744a98117504cbee278d)
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](/.netlify/images?w=750&h=750&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2023-11%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_Kelly%2520Ziegler%25202023.jpg&cd=5bf0b078feef215bb5fd8421ec4e484f)
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](/.netlify/images?w=750&h=750&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2023-11%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_Valerie%2520Hruska%25202023.jpg&cd=c8a707599f6de7ead352913e4adccff9)
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
Support Staff
![Headshot of Nakita Byrne-Mamahit](/.netlify/images?w=750&h=750&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2023-11%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_Nakita%2520ByrneMamahit%25202023.jpg&cd=f8674e667d75dcf5b7c3817b207193e2)
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](/.netlify/images?w=750&h=750&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2023-11%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_Michelle%2520Provencher%25202023.jpg&cd=d84fb66a87f56520dc94c6a2f8dc1c0d)
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](/.netlify/images?w=750&h=750&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2023-11%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_Michelle%2520Stringer%25202023.jpg&cd=c4cd6291230bdb665be106717b9d0a5e)
Michelle Stringer
Project Coordinator
Accelerates the advancement and implementation of various projects.
ebling@uoguelph.ca | (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56009
![Headshot of Melissa Williams](/.netlify/images?w=750&h=750&fm=jpg&q=75&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.liveugconthub.uoguelph.dev%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2023-11%2FRIO_Staff%2520Photos_Melissa%2520Williams%25202023_0.jpg&cd=4c83e7eea860af89b4b78266715b3c4b)
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