About Applied Research

Dr. Barai applies her extensive business development, commercialization and research experience in building strong industry-academic partnerships. She is passionate about developing strategic partnerships that create impact and add value for all stakeholders. Dr. Barai’s expertise comes from more than 15 years of experience at The Hospital for Sick Children, MITACS and DFB Pharmaceuticals. She has a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Cincinnati and a bachelor of pharmacy from Mumbai, India.

As the Director, Research Operations, Ms. Gopalasigam is responsible for all financial and compliance operations in Seneca Applied Research. This includes budget planning, accounting, advising on all financial, budget and compliance issues, as well as development and implementation of department processes. Her work experience includes financial management, reporting and analysis, budget and forecasting, and process improvement. Ms. Gopalasigam holds a bachelor’s degree in administrative studies (honours) with a specialization in human resources management.

As a Research Project Manager, Dr. Paton supports all aspects of the applied research process. This includes working in collaboration with faculty and their partners to develop projects, identify funding sources, prepare funding applications and manage applied research projects. He also supports awareness and outreach activities, within and external to Seneca. His work experience includes varied roles in developing and managing industry-academic collaborations and providing technical advice and guidance to entrepreneurs in the sciences and engineering fields. He is also the founder of a spin-out company making organic light-emitting diode (OLED) lighting. Dr. Paton holds a PhD in chemical engineering and applied chemistry, a master of science in chemistry, a bachelor of applied science in engineering science and has project management training, all from the University of Toronto.

Ira Sherr, the Seneca Centre for Innovation in Life Sciences (SCILS) Manager, supports applied research projects in the life sciences and cosmetics spaces. This includes overseeing labs, personnel and business development. In addition, Mr. Sherr helps develop industry partnerships with small- and medium-sized enterprises. His experience includes managing applied research projects for industry-academic collaborations in the oil and gas industry. He holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies/plant biology from the University of Waterloo and a master’s degree in plant biology from the University of Alberta. He combines his love of science and graphic design by volunteering as a branding manager for the global biotech accelerator Nucleate.

As the SCILS Principal Investigator, Dr. Ryan Hayman, a PhD in chemistry, leverages his product development and systems integration experience to advance projects with small- to medium-sized businesses in the life sciences sector. He has more than 12 years of experience in senior management and senior scientist roles at diagnostics startups in the GTA. His teams have developed multiplexed assays, instruments and point-of-care cartridges for inflammatory diseases, sexually transmitted infections and respiratory infections. Dr. Hayman earned his PhD from Tufts University and also holds a BSc with Honors in chemistry from Williams College. Passionate about the Ontario biotech ecosystem, he also advises startups on technical challenges and fundraising.

Ms. Hussain, Project Co-ordinator, Applied Research, supports the administration and management of applied research projects. She collaborates with managers from Seneca Applied Research, the Centre for Innovation and faculty. Her experience includes working with educational institutions, non-profit and public sector organizations on everything from research projects to annual symposiums. She holds an honours bachelor of social sciences in international development and globalization from the University of Ottawa and is currently doing a project management professional certificate.

As the Co-ordinator, Ms. Yeung provides administrative support to the overall Seneca Applied Research department, including the operations of the Seneca Research Ethics Board (REB). She supports metrics reporting relating to the department as well as the submissions of research funding proposals and applications. She also assists with the planning and execution of departmental events and the development and maintenance of communications materials. In her role as the REB Co-ordinator, Ms. Yeung manages the application process and provides advice to Seneca faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders on REB-related matters. She holds an honours bachelor degree in psychology and urban studies from the University of Toronto.