Our Team Archives - Page 2 of 2

Les Kondejewski

January 18, 2022 by

Dr. Les Kondejewski joined Ontario Genomics in April 2013. He is responsible for research operations and program management. His experience in management of cross-functional scientific teams, both in academia and industry, helps him to manage Ontario Genomics-funded programs, seek project investments, and monitor projects’ accountability and progress. Since joining Ontario Genomics, Les has identified and implemented numerous operational efficiencies to support the organization’s ability to manage more than a 300% increase in active projects while lowering costs and maintaining overhead.

Les has an extensive background in research and project management, particularly in personalized medicine. Previously, he held research and program management responsibilities at Caprion Proteomics. Later, at Diaceutics Inc., he worked with client teams to facilitate the creation of integrated development and commercialization plans for targeted therapies.

Les received his BSc from Carleton University and his PhD in biochemistry from Dalhousie University. He carried out postdoctoral research and a research fellowship at the Protein Engineering Network of Centres of Excellence at the University of Alberta.

Luana Langlois Fiorotto

January 17, 2022 by

Luana Langlois Fiorotto joined Ontario Genomics in September of 2021. In her current role, she supports and facilitates the relationships among leading academic and industry partners, specifically in the wasteCANcreate waste upcycling consortium project. The goal of this consortium is to accelerate the development of engineering biology technologies for commercial applications and provide biologically produced test materials to various industry partners so they can incorporate them into their existing processes. Prior to this role, she played an indispensable role in organizing our annual Canada SynBio conference. Luana helps build effective relationships by connecting, enabling, and working with diverse stakeholders to foster innovation through collaborative partnerships.

Before joining Ontario Genomics, Luana championed the development of trainee-focused engineering biology initiatives, such as the Canadian iGEM network and the development of the Synthetic Biology degree program at her home institution, Western University.

Luana received her B.Sc. (Hons.) specializing in Genetics and Biochemistry and an M.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology, both from Western University. Her graduate research focused on investigating sustainable microbial-based therapeutics for optimizing aquaculture practices.

Reeda Mahmood

January 17, 2022 by

Dr. Reeda Mahmood supports the communications activities at Ontario Genomics, specifically leading the development of digital media content. She works with teams across OG and coordinates with genome centres across Canada to develop and implement communications strategies.

Reeda has extensive experience in materials chemistry research, innovation and entrepreneurship, and digital media communications. She has co-founded startups in the science communication and food allergy spaces, where she sold to organizations like NSERC and secured nearly $100k in funding. She has also spent time developing and exploring a research commercialization path for the implementation of solar cells in commercial building windows. Along the way, Reeda started sharing her journey as a PhD Candidate on social media (@ReedaDesigns) and gained over 40k followers across Instagram and TikTok. Through her digital media brand, Reeda has worked on partnerships with major brands, including Staples Canada, Logitech, Walmart Canada, and Microsoft Canada, and created a sub-brand, Study Squad, a community for students in Toronto.

Reeda completed her PhD in Materials Chemistry and BSc in Biomedical Sciences at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her PhD research focused on the development of light-responsive polymeric nanofiber films for applications such as solar cells and sensors.

Celia Pennimpede

January 12, 2022 by

Celia Pennimpede joined Ontario Genomics in 2023. In this role Celia is responsible for all administrative aspects to ensure companies are supported throughout the lifecycle of the BioCreate Program, from
initial investment to project closing.

Celia has an extensive background in Customer Success, and Project Management, serving as a Launch Coordinator at Lightspeed Commerce for 7 years. In this role, she led over 10 projects aimed to improve
and automate internal and customer-facing processes. Additionally, she managed stakeholder and client relationships across Retail, eCommerce, and Hospitality sectors, utilizing organizational, critical problemsolving, and communication skills in her day-to-day work.

Celia completed her BSc in Biochemistry at McGill University in Montreal and received her MHSc in Medical Genomics from the University of Toronto.

Erum Razvi

January 11, 2022 by

Dr. Erum Razvi joined Ontario Genomics in 2023. In her current role, Erum supports the implementation of strategic initiatives with the goal of applying genomics-based solutions to bolster key sectors of the Ontario economy. Erum is the main point of contact for funded projects and works with leading academics and partner organizations to advance funding, foster relationships, and enhance project outcomes.

During her 10+ years in the infectious disease space, Erum has experience in multidisciplinary areas such as drug discovery, carbohydrate chemistry, biophysical methods, and basic biology research leading to several high impact publications. Erum served as the Communications Officer and Chair for the GlycoNet Trainee Executive Committee where she wrote monthly newsletters, led a team of 7 scientists across Canada to understand and endorse the voices of trainees to key opinion leaders, established professional development opportunities, and advocated for infectious disease research alongside the Chief Science Advisor of Canada. Prior to joining Ontario Genomics, Erum was a postdoctoral fellow working on optimizing the isolation of bacterial exopolysaccharides.

Erum has a B.Sc. in Health Science from Wilfrid Laurier University, Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Toronto, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario.

Laura Riley

January 10, 2022 by

Dr. Laura Riley joined Ontario Genomics in 2019. In her current role she is responsible for leading and managing the Sector Innovation and Programs team activities.

Laura oversees and supports individual projects, develops, implements and executes funding competitions, and sources and secures project co-funding from key external partners. Laura is also involved in leading, developing and implementing impactful and comprehensive strategies across multiple sectors, including key initiatives in wastewater surveillance and in cellular agriculture.

At Ontario Genomics, Laura builds effective relationships by connecting, enabling and working with diverse partners and partner organizations to advance collaborative investment opportunities, and is the main point of contact for several funded projects and key stakeholders. Laura further supports Ontario Genomics as a certified member of the JHSC.

Laura has a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from the University of Liverpool, UK, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario. Prior to joining Ontario Genomics, Laura worked as a project manager in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto, where she managed a number of large research projects.

Alex Senson

January 9, 2022 by

Alex Senson joined Ontario Genomics in 2023. In his current role, he will be leading the BioCreate program’s initial funding phase while also supporting the development of the mentorship program to support companies as they seek to raise follow-on funding and commercialize their innovative solutions. He is the main point of contact for companies as they work through the BioCreate application and investment process.

Alex brings a strong business and scientific acumen to this role, having worked in the biopharmaceutical industry as well as the regional innovation and entrepreneurship network. Before joining Ontario Genomics, Alex was the Senior Business Strategist at Altitude Accelerator where he coached start-up founders and built processes and resources to support a wide range of unique technology ventures. Previously, he worked in both project management and business development capacities at YM BioSciences – a cancer therapeutics company which was acquired by Gilead Sciences in 2013.

Alex earned a Master of Biotechnology degree from the University of Toronto Mississauga, and a BSc in Biochemistry from McMaster University.

Kaylee Tran

January 6, 2022 by

Kaylee joined Ontario Genomics in October 2023 as a Senior Accountant with the main focus on supporting OG’s finance business partnership with other funders and institutions. In this role, Kaylee helps develop and improve the finance tracking process as well as the reporting and accounting programs. Prior to this, Kaylee worked for BDO Canada- a global accounting firm as a Senior Associate and assisted various customer portfolios ranging from mid market businesses to large corporate groups. During her free time, Kaylee loves hiking and is a wellness enthusiast. She is also pursuing an advanced diploma in Acupuncture to achieve her wellness goal.

Receive Email Updates from Ontario Genomics

What’s Happening in Real-Time