MindFuel Mentors
Tech Futures Challenge teams and participants are supported and guided by our valued volunteer mentors
The Tech Futures Challenge (TFC) engages student teams in identifying real-world sustainability issues and addressing those issues using biology and blending it with an additional emerging technology of their choice.
Through their mentorship and support to the Tech Futures Challenge participants and program, mentors have the opportunity to:
- share critical knowledge and skills often unavailable in regular school environments
- be role models and share insights and experiences about STEM careers and pathways
- contribute to student projects and causes that resonate with them
- further their own specialty areas and technologies
- develop their own knowledge and skills by teaching others
A mentor will have post-secondary education, qualifications, professional experience and/or interest in STEM fields such as:
- Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology
- Genetic engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence
- New Generation Robotics
- Automation & Machine Learning
- Computer Programming including familiarity with Coding programs
- Applied STEM research
- Entrepreneurship
Experience working with students or youth and knowledge of mentorship engagement is an asset
Interested in becoming a TFC mentor for our next cycle (Jan-May 2025)? Click here to apply!
2024 TFC Mentors
Julie Legault
Amino Labs
Julie Legault is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Media Lab and is an expert in transforming complex technology into experiences for non-experts. She is the founder and CEO of Amino Labs, the company pioneering accessible biotechnology in the home and school, and co-author of Zero to Genetic Engineering Hero.
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
Bioengineering, design thinking, entrepreneurialism, lean start-up, rapid prototyping, science/tech communication, visual design |
Ethan Agena
University of Toronto
Ethan (he/him) is a 3rd Year PhD Student in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto. His research work revolves around developing chain elongating bacteria as new microbial biomanufacturing platforms for the circular production of commodity chemicals from waste feedstocks. He is a proud iGEM Competition and MindFuel alum who is passionate about the intersection of engineering, design, and biology as a means of achieving a future founded on sustainable energy and materials.
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
Bioengineering coding design thinking engineering principles leadership & team building marketing & communication project management rapid prototyping science/tech communication synthetic biology tech project management visual design |
Marcel Koupantsis
Northern RNA Inc.
Hello, I’m Marcel E. Michailides, and I’ve been a MindFuel mentor since 2019, guiding many teams in the realm of synthetic biology. My expertise spans protein- and RNA-based research, cancer research, virology, and the burgeoning field of synthetic biology.
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
Bioengineering bioinformatics leadership & team building project management science/tech communication synthetic biology |
Kristi Turton
Northern RNA Inc.
Hello! My name is Kristi! I have been a mentor with Mindfuel for a few years now and had been associated with iGEM from 2017-2022. I have a Masters in Biochemistry from the University of Lethbridge but my expertise is in Synthetic Biology. Beyond expertise I own a very cuddly Bassett Hound name Maverick and I am addicted to Chocolate 🙂
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
Bioengineering entrepreneurialism marketing & communication project management synthetic biology |
Kushan Wickramarachchi
Standens IMT
I have a mechanical engineering degree from University of Calgary. I have been working as a manufacturing engineer at a Steel manufacturing company for the last 2 and a half years. I have experience in project management, manufacturing, engineering design, and rapid prototyping using 3d printers/laser cutters.
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
3D design 3D printing engineering principles entrepreneurialism leadership & team building project management rapid prototyping science/tech communication sustainable/green tech visual design |
Naheen Kabir
University of Calgary
As an a passionate problem-solver and avid thinker, I love taking on new challenges and am excited to break into the broad and diverse tech field. Through practicing efficient algorithm designs, I aim to come up with the best and most feasible solutions to computational problems. I am always ready to expand my knowledge of the ever expanding tech field and practice Full-Stack Development and experimenting with DBMS systems while apprehending the best information security standards. I am curious about the growing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning sector and welcome opportunities to learn and implement tactics to develop efficient softwares. In my free time you will find me spreading my love for music with the world and performing at coffee shops.
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
Coding design thinking leadership & team building project management tech project management |
John Whitbread
General Dynamics
I have been graced with many opportunities over my engineering career that spans nearly 20 years with just one company. These days I focus on lead roles in electronics and systems engineering leading multi-functional teams delivering highly rugged and reliable communication technologies for defense. I spend my spare time mentoring and coaching students and teams from all walks of life and all ages in science, engineering.
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
Coding, automation, robotics, 3D design, engineering principles, design thinking, rapid prototyping, intellectual property, tech project management, science/tech communication |
Emily Hicks
FREDsense
Emily Hicks is co-founder and President of FREDsense Technologies where she has worked for the past 9 years. Coupling genetic engineering and electrochemistry, FREDsense creates portable devices that enable anyone, anywhere to measure trace contaminants in water. As a startup founder, Emily has received several awards and recognitions including top 30 under 30 in Canada for Sustainability, the 2018 winner of the She Loves Tech global finals and an Arch award from the University of Calgary for Early Career Achievement.
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
Bioengineering, design thinking, entrepreneurialism, leadership & team building, marketing & communication, project management, science/tech communication, synthetic biology, tech, project management |
Jessica Semmelrock
University of Lethbridge
I recently completed a M.Sc. degree in biochemistry under the co-supervision of Dr. Wieden and Dr. Patel. I studied a translation factor and its interaction with RNA. During my studies I also participated in iGEM, biotech R&D, and completed a biotech internship. I am passionate about using biotechnology to solve global issues.
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
Bioengineering design thinking engineering principles leadership & team building project management science/tech communication synthetic biology visual design |
Robert Mayall
FREDsense
Robert holds degrees in both Chemistry and Biomedical science, with expertise in synthetic biology, nanoscience, electrochemistry, and biosensor development. During his PhD, Robert received the prestigious Vanier award at the University of Calgary and was selected as one of the Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity by Johns Hopkins University. His technical excellence has been recognized with multiple research and innovation awards from academic and private institutions and demonstrated by contributions to over 70 technical presentations, reports, publications, and patents. Robert has developed a diverse range of sensors with applications in military, industrial, O&G, and water treatment sectors and is leading FREDsense’s R&D team.
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
Bioengineering design thinking engineering principles entrepreneurialism leadership & team building lean start-up intellectual property nanotechnology project management rapid prototyping science/tech communication sustainable/green tech synthetic biology tech project management |
Sydnee Calhoun
University of Calgary
Sydnee graduated in 2019 with a BSc in Biochemistry (Honours) and an MSc in Biochemistry in 2022, both from the University of Lethbridge. During her MSc, she was also a part of the RNA Innovation program working on a project with Corteva Agriscience and completed an internship at FREDsense. She is a laboratory technician in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Calgary focusing on rare disease diagnostics. She was involved in the iGEM competition from 2015 to 2019 at both the high school and collegiate levels as a student member and advisor, accumulating five special prize nominations, four gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals. She focused on human practices, wet lab, and presentation preparation. Additionally, she was a judge for the 2020, 2022, and 2023 iGEM competitions for the Diagnostic, Software, Environment, and High School tracks.
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
Design thinking nanotechnology project management science/tech communication synthetic biology |
Fabian Rohden
University of Manitoba
I did my BSc. and MSc in Technical Biology at the University of Darmstadt, Germany, before working in the field of international Science Policy. I started my PhD in Canada at the University of Lethbridge but relocated to the University of Manitoba at the Department of Microbiology. I participated in iGEM teams in Germany and later supervised the iGEM teams of Lethbridge. Aside of that, I am part of several national and international science associations (Synbio Canada, CSMB, GASB e.V., International DSI Network)
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
Bioinformatics leadership & team building project management science/tech communication synthetic biology |
Krishanu Bhattacharjee
EMeRG
Krishanu is the Founder & CEO at EMeRG – a SaaS-based med-tech research and advisory platform. EMeRG is headquartered in Calgary with operations in India and Singapore. Krishanu is passionate about bringing access to innovative medical technologies around the world. He has been in the med-tech industry for over 16 years and has worked across 40+ countries, helping solve the paradox of “innovation in isolation”.
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
Entrepreneurialism leadership & team building lean start-up marketing & communication Biomedical engineering |
Hadi Aghazadeh
University of Calgary / AltaML
I hold both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from renowned Iranian universities. Currently I am PhD student at the University of Calgary. During my PhD, I received esteemed scholarships like the Schulich Catalyst Ph.D. Program Scholarship and the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) Talent Awards. My commitment to innovation shines through multiple startup weekend victories and the founding of an AI-based startup in Iran, showcasing my entrepreneurial spirit. In my Ph.D. research, I’ve published in ACM SIGSPATIAL and submitted a paper to the Journal of Transportation Research, Part C, highlighting my significant contributions. I’ve authored books, including a novel approach to teaching AI and Machine Learning through storytelling. Beyond academia, I boast over five years of practical experience, notably as a senior data scientist at SNAPP, the Middle East’s largest ride-hailing startup. My role led to a substantial increase in order fulfillment rates through the development of a dynamic surge pricing algorithm. Interning at AltaML in Canada, I contributed significantly to the UFA fuel demand forecasting project, resulting in substantial annual cost savings. Leadership is inherent in my character, evident in my roles as Vice President and Student Representative in the Geomatics Graduate Group (G^3). I’ve also dedicated time to various volunteer experiences, rounding out my holistic approach to personal and professional development.
Areas of Expertise / Skill |
App development coding design thinking engineering principles leadership & team building lean start-up project management supply chain sustainable/green tech Machine Learning |