Lisa Pollio

Dr.Paolo's Bio

Dr. Paolo Mussone | Ovintiv Applied Research Chair in Energy, Northern Alberta Institute of Science and Technology
Round Tables (Friday afternoon)

Dr. Paolo Mussone holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science and has 20 years of experience in industrial innovation, technology commercialization, and research in the fields of applied chemistry and environmental science.

As the Ovintiv Applied Research Chair in Energy at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Paolo leads multidisciplinary and multistakeholder projects spanning laboratory and field activities focusing on technology development and validation with emphasis on environmental applications relevant to the circular economy. Paolo also leads training and mentorship initiatives to support Indigenous communities in establishing environmental monitoring programs with special focus on freshwater and soil quality.

Paolo earned a PhD in Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science from the University of Manchester in the UK, an MSc in Process Control Engineering, and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Milan. Prior to joining NAIT, he was a process development engineer in the hydrogen, syngas, and methanol industrial catalysis team at Haldor Topsoe A/S in Lyngby, Denmark (2002-2003).

His academic career includes a postdoctoral fellowship in the Oil Sands Engineering Research group (2007–2009), Research Associate in the Biorefining Conversions and Fermentation Laboratory in the Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (2010–2014), and Process Engineering Lead in the Department of Chemical Engineering (2015), at the University of Alberta.

NAIT Clean Technologies Team

Patrick's Bio

Patrick Hanington | Professor, University of Alberta
Projects in Action Workshops (Saturday morning)

Patrick is an associate professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. Patrick and his group use molecular biology to detect and quantify organisms that pose a risk to human and environment health in aquatic ecosystems. Part of this research involves engagement of community and school-based participants to expand the scope of research projects, encourage community participation in scientific research and increase water literacy.

University of Alberta

Denise's Bio

Denise Beaven | Girls Talk Tech Co-Chair, Conocophillips Canada
Round Tables (Friday afternoon)

Denise Beaven has spent 40 years in the IT industry with 33 years at ConocoPhillips Canada. Girls Talk Tech’s goal is to help girls learn more about IT careers and feel confident they can succeed. Girls Talk Tech (GTT) was formalized in 2018 with the mission to educate, encourage and empower young women to embrace technology for the future.

Girls Talk Tech

Sam's Bio

Sam Effah | Canada Games Gold Medalist, Right to Play Ambassador, Amazing Race Canada Finalist
Keynote Speaker

As a native Albertan, Sam has speed. He represented Canada at 3 World Championships, 3 World University Games, 2 Commonwealth Games and was inducted into the 2021 Canada West Hall of Fame. Most recently, Sam was named co-Chef de Mission for the 2022.

As a volunteer, he’s an athlete ambassador with Right To Play and a past Classroom Champions mentor, where he focuses on using his platform to inspire the next generation of youth around the world.

In 2019 he was cast on The Amazing Race Canada Season 7 and placed second overall. 

Outside of athletics and in-office work, Sam loves to speak. He leads a strong stage presence, developed over the course of a ten-year career as a seminar speaker, workshop facilitator, and motivational presenter.

Learn More About Sam Effah