Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland

Joe Singleton, P.Eng, started his career as a process engineer in the domestic and overseas manufacturing sector with General Electric and JDS Uniphase. He joined the Marine Institute in 2003 and has spent significant time working in all three schools within MI.

Joe started his career at MI as a design engineer for the Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development in the School of Fisheries. He has been awarded patents for machinery currently used in the fish processing industry. His time at the School of Maritime Studies mainly consisted of teaching mechanical engineering courses (Fluids, Thermodynamics, Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Design, etc.). Joe’s Master’s research work was based on an autonomous moored profiler system and he has provided engineering support to several ocean observation projects, giving him experience in ocean observation systems.

Before taking on the Assistant Head role at the School of Ocean Technology, he delivered courses such as project management, quality management and problem solving in the Bachelor of Technology program; and a computer-aided fabrication course in the Remotely Operated Vehicle program.

Phone: (709) 778-0604

Email: joe.singleton@mi.mun.ca

Georgina White has worked in various environmental disciplines such as microbiology and chemistry laboratories, oil spill response, fisheries research, and most recently, with Geographical Information Systems (GIS). She has had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects including emerging species, sustainable fishing and coastal resource assessments.

Georgina has completed the Bachelor of Technology, Bachelor of Education (Post-Secondary), the Master of Environmental Science and Master of Education (Post-Secondary) through Memorial University. Since 2001, she has also been a proud Reserve member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Georgina teaches within the Bachelor of Technology program and a variety of courses with both the School of Ocean Technology and the School of Fisheries. She believes education is a lifetime endeavour and welcomes opportunities for personal growth.

Phone: (709) 757-0712

Email: georgina.white@mi.mun.ca

Marco Barajas holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from the École Polytechnique de Montréal. He also holds an MSc in Productivity and Quality Systems and a BSc in Industrial Engineering.

Marco has much professional non-academic experience in such diverse capacities as logistics, supply chain management and operations management.

His areas of expertise are technology, manufacturing, operations, production and project management, regression analysis, operations research, Six Sigma, logistics and supply chain management.

Phone: (709) 778-0415

Email: marco.barajas@mi.mun.ca

Chris Batten is the Coordinator of Programs and the Chair of the Remotely Operated Vehicle program with the School of Ocean Technology. Chris has a diploma in Electronics Engineering Technology (Computers and IT) from the College of the North Atlantic and has a Bachelor of Technology from the Marine Institute.

Chris’ previous work experience includes various research and development projects through C-Core’s Centrifuge facility, Memorial University and the Center for Sustainable Aquatic Resources (CASD) at the Marine Institute. The most notable projects are the Biodegradable Twine project conducted through CASD, Vortex-Induced Vibration testing with Memorial University Engineering and Skewed Rotor Design at the Marine Institute.

Chris’ specialties include data acquisition, electronics and circuit board design and fabrication, computer-aided design and fabrication, 3D printing, CNC milling, computer networking, programming and microcontrollers.

Phone: (709) 778-0467

Email: chris.batten@mi.mun.ca

Corinne Breen, a faculty member since 1992, holds a Bachelor of Science (Math/Physics), Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Education. Her Masters degree focused on curriculum development and instructional design in the post-secondary environment.

Over the years Corinne has taught courses in math, physics and computer applications as well as provided professional development to instructors encouraging them to evaluate their present practices and implement appropriate technology to enhance the teaching and learning process.

Her expertise spans online education delivery, Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), curriculum development, the DACUM process, faculty professional development and online facilitation of instructor development. She has provided professional development presentations and workshops both locally and internationally on these and other topics.

Phone: (709) 778-0588

Email: corinne.breen@mi.mun.ca

Scott Bruce is an ocean data specialist with the Centre of Applied Ocean Technology (CTec) and is currently assigned to the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observation System (CIOOS) project.

Before joining CTec, Scott worked as a programmer/analyst with the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) department of the Marine Institute, where he held several roles including development support, application management, information security and server administration.

Prior to working at the Marine Institute, Scott was a programmer/analyst with the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications (CCMC).  In that capacity he was responsible for creating and maintaining the SmartBay and Journal of Ocean Technology websites as well as other projects.

Scott is a graduate of the College of the North Atlantic with a diploma in their Programmer/Analyst co-op program.

Phone: (709) 778-0759

Email: scott.bruce@mi.mun.ca

Craig Bulger is a project engineer with the Centre of Applied Ocean Technology at the Holyrood Marine Base. His interests are in the area of autonomous surface vehicles, underwater acoustics, embedded system design, remote sensing and digital signal processing. Craig has significant experience in the design, implementation and testing of multi-platform underwater acoustical systems and signal processing software. Over the years he has been involved in the testing, development and deployment of projects for the aquaculture, military, space and oil and gas sectors.

Craig holds a B.Sc (Hons) in Software Engineering, a B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics and Physics and a Bachelor of Education (Post-Secondary).

Phone: (709) 778-0435

Email: craig.bulger@mi.mun.ca

Susan Caines is a professional engineer whose experience includes automotive design and primary metal recovery. She has extensive design and project management experience and currently is involved in research focusing on material degradation in relation to asset integrity management.

Susan earned a PhD from Memorial University, a Masters in Science from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Engineering from Dalhousie University. She is currently pursuing her certificate in Post-Secondary Education from Memorial University.

As well as teaching with SOT’s Masters of Technology Management and Bachelor of Technology programs, Susan is cross-appointed to the Process Engineering program within the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.

She is the group leader for the Center for Risk, Integrity and Safety Engineering’s (C-RISE) Asset Integrity Management research group and a member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland & Labrador (PEGNL) Limited License Assessment Committee.

Email: sjc184@mun.ca

Eric Davis, P.Tech., senior technologist with CTec, is a graduate of the Electrical Engineering Technology diploma program from the Institute of Fisheries and Marine Technology.

Prior to joining CTec, Eric worked with the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications for 14 years, initially as an engineering technologist and then as a network administrator. In 2006, Eric was designated technical lead for the SmartBay project. In this capacity he is responsible for maintenance of offshore systems, sensor installations, wireless communication services and data/network services. Eric also provides technical support for the Holyrood Marine Base. With over 20 years’ experience in the marine technology industry, Eric provides advice and guidance to colleagues and external clients.

Eric is a member of the Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc. (AETTNL) and currently sits as a Co-Chair on the Marine Institute - Holyrood Marine Base Occupational Health and Safety Committee.

Phone: (709) 778-0768

Email: eric.davis@mi.mun.ca

Paul Elliott is the Academic Director of the Master of Ocean Technology (Ocean Mapping) program. He has accumulated experience in various educational and technology sectors and has worked in numerous roles within the K-12 system, ranging from Vice-Principal, Science, Social Studies and Technology Education teacher, Computer Network and System Administrator, Social Studies Department Head, CDLI M-Team duties and as Professional Development Officer for the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association (NLTA) Branch Executive. He has also held various technical roles within these private and public sectors extending from Geographic Information System (GIS) Manager, Systems Analyst, Senior Analyst, Web Developer, Spatial Database Administrator, IT Consultant and Programmer/Analyst.

Paul currently holds a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Education (Intermediate/Secondary), a Diploma of Technology Education, a Post-Graduate Certificate in GIS, a Master of Education (Information Technology) and a Post-Secondary Teaching Certificate. He is working towards his Bachelor of Education (Post-Secondary) and Master of Science/Accelerated PhD.

Paul teaches within the Ocean Mapping program and within the School of Fisheries. The courses he teaches cover several disciplines including Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, Underwater Acoustics, Marine Geology and Geophysics, Nautical Chart Production, Computer Networking and Computer Programming. In addition to teaching, Paul also has taken on a leadership role in the certification of the Ocean Mapping program from a national accreditation (CTAB) and international recognition (IHO) perspective. Serving as a GIS Ambassador for the K-12 system, he is in the process of attaining educational and technical certifications to aid in effective educational delivery of technical content.

In his free time, Paul enjoys martial arts, astronomy, fishing and travelling.

Phone: (709) 778-0506

Email: paul.elliott@mi.mun.ca

Donald J. Haynes, P. Eng. has had professional training spanning across many disciplines from technology management, intellectual property protection and entrepreneurship to computer networking, computer programming and electronics.  He has accumulated experiences in other technology related areas including embedded systems, robotics, telecommunications, and switching.

Don graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical), a Certificate in Post-Secondary Education and a Masters in Technology Management.  Prior to this, he graduated from the College of Trades and Technology with a Diploma in Electronics Technology.  He is currently completing a Bachelor of Education Degree (Post-Secondary).

Don is an instructor with the School of Ocean Technology teaching in the Bachelor of Technology program.  Since joining the Marine Institute in 2001, he has taught in such areas as technology management, computer networking, computer programming, embedded systems, interfacing, radio communications, fiber optics, electronics, rotating machines and marine electrical systems.  As a life-long learner, he has a wide variety of interests ranging from robotics and remote sensing to value chain logistics and disruptive technological innovations.

Phone: (709) 778-0376

Email: donald.haynes@mi.mun.ca

Chris Keats has been working with diverse technologies and applications in the marine field, such as sustainable fisheries, habitat management, seabed mapping and marine spatial planning, throughout his career. Currently, his work mostly revolves around Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies.

Chris holds a Masters in Environmental Science, a Bachelor of Technology and a Diploma in Marine Environmental Technology from Memorial University. He also holds several certificates and has done training courses in the fields of GIS, multibeam sonar, side scan sonar, marine spatial planning and other post-secondary education.

Teaching courses in a number of Marine Institute programs including Marine Environmental, Water Quality, Ocean Mapping and Marine Spatial Planning has lead Chris to continuously pursue learning and training opportunities in these fields and to employ new technologies in the classroom.

Phone: (709) 778-0390

Email: chris.keats@mi.mun.ca

Richard Kelly has a specific interest in collaborating with industry partners to identify opportunities where computerized engineering solutions can be employed to improve marine activities. Ocean observation, sea-bed mapping, instrumentation, data communications and marine electronics are all within Richard’s areas of expertise. In addition to being the technical lead on major projects including SmartAtlantic, SmartASS and ARIES, Richard also serves on two International Organization of Standards working groups, developing international standards for marine technologies and underwater acoustics.

A professional engineer, Richard holds a Bachelor of Science (Physics) from St. Francis Xavier University and a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) from the University of New Brunswick. Dedicated to continued learning, he is completing his Master of Engineering (Computer Engineering) at Memorial University.

Phone: (709) 778-0697

Email: richard.kelly@mi.mun.ca

Shelly Leighton is an instructor with the Ocean Mapping program. She has spent a number of years working in the offshore oil and gas industry as well as on heavy civil projects in Newfoundland and Labrador. She has worked as an offshore surveyor, data processor and project manager for construction support projects worldwide.

Shelly graduated from Memorial University with her Masters in Oil and Gas Engineering and a Bachelor of Science and Engineering in Geodesy and Geomatics from the University of New Brunswick. As well as being an instructor with the School of Ocean Technology’s Ocean Mapping program, she is a Commissioned Canada Lands Surveyor and is involved in a number of initiatives with the Association of Canada Lands Surveyors (ACLS).

Shelly has a keen interest in unmanned aerial vehicles for surveying and mapping as an emerging technology and as a member of the ACLS Offshore Committee, she enjoys being involved in the development of Canada’s lands.

Phone: (709) 778-0541

Email: shelly.leighton@mi.mun.ca

Jerry Matchem came to the Marine Institute in 1993 where he was part of the School of Maritime Studies until the School of Ocean Technology was initiated in 2008. His main area of interest in engineering is power generation, transmission and distribution and he has work experience with both Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland Hydro.

Jerry graduated with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering in 1992 and received his Bachelors in Education (Post-Secondary) in 2003 from Memorial University.

Over the years, Jerry has taught courses in many fields, mostly related to the electrical and electronics fields. Currently, Jerry delivers courses in first year Electrotechnology, Rotating Machines (Motors and Generators), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and the Transport Canada Electrotechnology for first, second and third class qualifying exams.

Phone: (709) 778-0658

Email: jerry.matchem@mi.mun.ca

Robert Matchim joined the Marine Institute in January of 1993 with an Electrical Engineering Degree and primary experience with Newfoundland Hydro’s Engineering Department. Since joining the Marine Institute, he has filled many roles including various Program Chair positions and has aided the Offshore Safety and Survival Centre personnel with the data acquisition for the Seascape Project.

Robert has a Bachelor’s of Engineering (electrical) and a Master’s of Technology Management, both from Memorial University. He has also completed courses in Effective Instruction, obtained a Post-Secondary Instructor’s Certificate and completed a short course in Industrial Instrumentation.

Since obtaining his Masters of Technology Management, Robert predominantly teaches a number of courses in the Bachelor of Technology program. He is also keenly interested in aiding students with various technical projects that are an integral aspect of the programs at the Marine Institute.

Phone: (709) 778-0622

Email: robert.matchim@mi.mun.ca

Dr. Sean Mullan joined MI in 2020 to help launch the Master of Applied Ocean Technology (Ocean Mapping) Program. He is enjoying an interdisciplinary scientific career that integrates his interests in geoscience, oceanography, geomatics and education. His University of Victoria PhD dissertation (2017) on seabed sediment dynamics and geomorphology in tidal straits, is relevant to the routing of seafloor cables & pipelines, the situation of tidal turbines for renewable energy extraction, and understanding benthic habitats. Sean is also keen to help advance applied ocean mapping techniques, namely, approaches to bathymetric change detection and seabed characterization.

Sean has extensive practical experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), having been employed by the Government of British Columbia’s geological survey (2005) and forest service (2006). Beginning in 2007, Sean aided the marine and sedimentary systems research group at the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC). He participated in marine surveying expeditions and laboratory analyses to characterize the habitats, hazards and resources of Canada's Pacific continental shelf. At sea, Sean was involved in seabed material sampling, acoustic-seismic surveying and representing the GSC during two Canadian Hydrographic Service multibeam sonar mapping programs. Prior to joining MI, he provided geospatial services in support of observatory operations at Ocean Networks Canada (2019).

Phone: (709) 757-0635

Email: sean.mullan@mi.mun.ca

Kevin O'Brien is an Electronic Technologist with CTec and has certifications in Industrial Electronics and Instrumentation Control Technician. Since his graduation from the College of the North Atlantic in 1991, Kevin has travelled and worked internationally with high technology companies in marine and offshore industries, gaining considerable field experience and knowledge. He has worked with the research and development of remote sensing technologies involving meteorological, oceanographic and geophysical data collection systems. Kevin is fully certified to work on offshore vessels and installations and has gained considerable marine electronic knowledge for both onshore and offshore field work.

Kevin previously worked as a research electronics technologists on research projects with the OSSC of the Marine Institute.

Kevin likes to keep moving, continually learning and sharing ideas. He occasionally returns to the OSSC to assist in research field trials for data collection.

Phone: (709) 778-0377

Email: kevin.o'brien@mi.mun.ca

Dr. Shawn Pendergast has over 20 years managing various enterprise level IT systems. Shawn started as a full-time instructor in April, 2018 but has worked as a part-time instructor since 2015. Recently, he worked at Memorial University as the Manager of Student IT Services. Shawn also has experience working with Schneider Electric, a multinational high-tech company, in Victoria, British Columbia. During that time, he had the opportunity to participate and lead many major IT commercial projects with organizations like Honda, Weyerhaeuser, City of Chicago and ABB. In addition, Shawn was also employed in the forestry sector in British Columbia and conducted environmental impact assessments in Ontario.

Shawn graduated from UNB with a B.Sc from the Faculty of Forestry & Environment Management and completed a graduate diploma in Information Technology, followed by an M.Ed at Memorial University. Shawn’s doctorate studies at the University of Calgary focused on educational technology within higher education, specifically, how new technologies such as 3D printing and the Makerspace concept can help improve student engagement at the post-secondary level.

Shawn is a strong believer in lifelong learning. His goal as an instructor is to create an environment where students feel safe to express their ideas, take risks and be creative.

Phone: (709) 778-0608

Email: shawn.pendergast@mi.mun.ca

Valerie Piercey is an instructor with the School of Ocean Technology and is responsible for teaching in the areas of Motor Controls, Electrical Safety, Occupational Health and Safety, Programmable Controls, and Electrotech courses within the ROV, Ocean Instrumentation, Bachelor of Technology and Marine Engineering Technician/Technology programs.

She holds a B.Ed (Post-secondary), as well as a B.Eng and was awarded Academic Excellence in Electrical Engineering for her graduating class as well as 15 scholarships from Memorial University. Valerie started her career with Rutter Engineering and Automation, completing various control and automation design projects including ones for Voisey’s Bay Nickel, North Atlantic Refining Limited, Newfoundland Power, Abitibi Consolidated and CFLCO. Before starting with the Marine Institute, she worked with Cahill Instrumentation, developing DCS software and graphical interface for various systems on the Terra Nova FPSO, as part of the construction management team with the Nexen Long Lake Project and also on the Hibernia South Expansion project.

Valerie has several training courses in electrical grounding and bonding, arc flash awareness, supervisor safety, hazardous locations, Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), ROV Electrical Safety, construction safety, project management and PLC. In 2017, Valerie was honoured with the Marine Institute Teaching Award through nomination from her students and peers.

Phone: (709) 778-0450

Email: valerie.piercey@mi.mun.ca

Jai Ragunathan is an instructor for the School of Ocean Technology. He has graduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and International Business Management and Bachelor’s degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Post-Secondary Education. Jai is also the gold medalist in his graduate degree in Electrical Engineering.

He started his career as a Marketing Engineer at Siemens and then later worked as an engineer in Maintenance and Quality control in Bharat Heavy Electricals. He pursued research in energy-efficient electrical machine systems and electric vehicles in the Faculty of Engineering at Memorial University. He was also a part of a research group in the area of unmanned systems within instrumentation, control and automation. During this time, Jai served as the president of the Engineering Graduate Student Society. Jai has published three IEEE papers in electrical engineering and several journal papers. He joined the Marine Institute in 2005 and has been a part of the School of Ocean Technology since 2007, teaching in both the Navy and SOT programs. Jai was the first recipient of the Marine Institute Vice President’s inaugural Teaching Award, has served as the chairperson of the ROV/UV program for over eight years and also as the coordinator of programs at the School of Ocean Technology. Besides his teaching career, Jai is an entrepreneur and has invented technologies such as the mantra box and the RFID music player.

Phone: (709) 778-0446

Email: jai.ragunathan@mi.mun.ca

As a spatial data analyst for more than 25 years, Kirk Regular has worked primarily in the natural resources sector. Prior to starting with the Marine Institute, Kirk owned a spatial data consulting business where he was involved in a variety of projects in fisheries management, oil and gas and mineral exploration for both public and private industry clients.  He also developed and delivered curriculum at both the college level and privately through a partnership with an international Global Information System (GIS) company. Some career highlights include an expert witness during the prosecution of fisheries violations, a planning advisor to ECRC’s oil spill response team, a board member to associations representing the geomatics industry and initial involvement in the first trans-Atlantic mapping survey under the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance.

His career as a spatial analyst began during his education at Memorial University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Geography. While attending Memorial, he worked on early GIS projects with the university as well as the initial GIS with the City of St. John’s, and he has since been working in the geomatics sector.

Kirk’s ocean mapping project development role within the Centre for Applied Technology (CTec) supports seabed mapping projects for fisheries and geoscience research locally as well as with the Government of Nunavut.

Phone: (709) 778-0594

Email: kirk.regular@mi.mun.ca

Dr. Katleen Robert has a BSc from McGill University, a MSc in Biology from the University of Victoria and a PhD from the University of Southampton, UK.  Her doctoral thesis focused on mapping habitat heterogeneity in complex deep-sea environments.  Following graduation, she worked as a post-doctoral research assistant at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, UK, where she developed approaches for mapping vertical structures in submarine canyons.

At MI, Katleen Robert is establishing a research lab which looks at advancing our understanding of seafloor spatial heterogeneity, distributions of benthic communities, how habitats may respond to different human-induced and natural stressors, and how scale (extent and resolution) affects our ability to detect and monitor change. Through her research, she employs a range of technologies (AUVs, ROVs, sonars, photogrammetry) to provide high-resolution maps from which quantitative insights regarding resource location, infrastructure condition, geological hazards, local oceanographic processes or effectiveness of conservation measures can be drawn. 

Phone: (709) 778-0648

Email: katleen.robert@mi.mun.ca

 

Corey Roche has a Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, an Instructors Certificate and is currently working towards his Bachelor of Technology and Education degree from Memorial University. Corey has gained a large amount of preventative maintenance and troubleshooting experience on electromechanical devices in both civilian and military industries. He has worked with factory and aircraft machinery, underwater robotics and directional drilling tools as well as hydraulics, sheet metal fabrication, mechanics, electrical components and electronics during his considerable in-house training at Baker Hughes, Oceaneering, Cascade Aerospace and  DeHavilland.

Corey teaches in the Remote Operated Vehicles program, bringing a “can d” approach to the students so that they are prepared to overcome all the challenges of their new careers.

Phone: (709) 778-0335

Email: corey.roche@mi.mun.ca

Dawn Roche has worked in communications and administration in a very broad sense. She has worked in the provincial film industry as well as rural economic and infrastructure development. In her various roles, she researched, interviewed, and wrote stories, articles, presentations, briefing notes, policy documents, etc. on various topics. She has developed funding proposals and assessed proposals for compliance. She has organized conferences and events, and worked to promote the province to North American and European film production companies.

Dawn entered the publishing industry in 2001 – first as Publisher/General Manager (fiction and non-fiction books) for a NL firm followed by a three-year stint in the Middle East (Qatar) where she worked as Editor on a monthly events and entertainment magazine. Upon her return to NL, she served as Editor of the Memorial University alumni magazine and Communications Coordinator for Alumni Affairs and Development. Since 2008, as editor of the Journal of Ocean Technology, she works to distill ocean technology knowledge to the ocean community around the globe.

She admires innovation – particularly “outside of the box” thinking to solve problems. She enjoys linking people together with diverse backgrounds and experiences to share information and make connections. She welcomes new ideas and working in collaboration with others to achieve success. Sustainability of our Earth and its ocean is important to her. She holds a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from York University.

Phone: (709) 778-0763

Email: dawn.roche@mi.mun.ca

Ray Roche  is an oceanography, ocean mapping, and electronics instructor with the School of Ocean Technology at the Fisheries Marine Institute (MI) of Memorial University of Newfoundland, Ray has been an educator in the post-secondary system since 2003. He has an undergraduate degree in electronics engineering, an MSc in physical oceanography, and an IHO Cat B certification in hydrography.

Ray currently delivers courses in oceanography, geodesy, geography, electrical/electronics, digital systems applications, statistics, and project management to students enrolled in the Ocean Mapping (OMAP), Remotely Operated Vehicles/Underwater Vehicles (ROV/UV), Marine Engineering Systems Design (MESD), Naval Architecture (NARC), and Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) programs.

Outside of regular teaching responsibilities, Ray is the Chair of the Ocean Mapping Program and provides input to regular program reviews of the ROV/UV programs.

Phone: (709) 778-0751

Email: ray.roche@mi.mun.ca

Paul Ryan is the Chair of the Master of Technology Management program and instructs in both this program and the Bachelor of Technology program as well as assisting in other programs as needed.

Paul is bilingual, a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) and a retired Communications and Electrical Engineering Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces. He has a Master of Engineering Management, a Bachelor of Education (Post-Secondary), a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical), a Professional Development Diploma and a General Science Diploma (CEGEP).

Before joining MI, Paul worked with the Canadian Armed Forces and the IT industry. He was Operations Manager of 35 personnel, tracking satellites on 24/7 operational taskings from NORAD Space Command in Colorado Springs, CO. He led the operations and maintenance of a transmitter and receiver site and associated telecomm network and cable plant. He has planned, developed and led the installation of operational field trials of new communication systems, software programs and computer networks. He led the operational server support services for major clients on a 24/7 basis with 27 staff spread over three Atlantic provinces.

Paul is a subject matter expert for marine renewable energy at MI. He is interested in leadership, management, project management, information technologies, decarbonizing the economy and energy efficiency and has served on numerous committees at MI.

Phone: (709) 778-0334

Email: paul.ryan@mi.mun.ca

Olga Telecka is a Professional Engineer and a graduate of the Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering program (BSc. Eng) at the University of New Brunswick. Her career has taken her through years of offshore work in the oil and gas industry as well as the offshore renewable energy sector. Olga has experience as a navigation surveyor, data processor and later, as a project manager for a dynamic survey company. Here, she worked through various stages of project planning - from vessel mobilization, personnel coordination, equipment sourcing support, project execution through to quality control. Olga also has experience in technical support of hydrographic processing software from her work with Teledyne CARIS and with cable route surveys and projects.  

Olga’s special interest lies with underwater acoustics and the evolving technologies that improve hydrographic work in fields of ocean construction and engineering, sea navigation mapping and application in environmental work.

Phone: (709) 778-0513

Email: olga.telecka@mi.mun.ca

Adam Templeton is a fisheries technologist with both CTec and CFER. He holds a Bachelor of Technology (Engineering Technology and Applied Science) and a diploma in Marine Environmental Technology from the Marine Institute. Prior to starting at CTec, Adam gained experience with the commercial fishing industry and with working as a field manager/marine technician for an oceanographic company for eight years.

In his role, Adam participates in the development and delivery of research initiatives in areas related to fisheries science and ocean technology as part of ongoing CFER & CTec agreements with the Ocean Frontier Institute and the Canada Research Chair in Ocean Mapping. Specific duties include calibration, design and deployment of moorings and operation and maintenance of technical equipment, including biological, underwater acoustic and oceanographic sampling equipment. Other responsibilities include providing data compilation and analysis, as well as technical and field support for research scientists, post-doctoral fellows and graduate students. Adam is also involved in the transport and operation of coastal support boats and shipboard operations.

Phone: (709) 778-0575

Email: adam.templeton@mi.mun.ca

Saradha Venkatraman graduated with a Masters of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering in 2004 and a B.Ed. (Post-Secondary Education) degree in 2012. Saradha gained experience working with embedded controllers and has been teaching since 2004.  She has experience instructing several courses, including electronics and digital systems, instrumentation, controls, microcontroller interfacing, embedded controllers, analog, digital data communication as well as basic electrical courses and computer-related courses.

Saradha has experience guiding students on electronics and on digital and microcontroller interfacing projects. She includes project-based learning environments in her courses and enjoys learning new innovative techniques to incorporate into her teaching.

With her computer engineering background and interest in instrumentation and embedded controllers, Saradha would like to further explore sensor installations, collecting data and maintaining databases in ocean observing systems.

Phone: (709) 778-0685

Email: saradha.venkatraman@mi.mun.ca

Darrell Wells is the Chair of the Bachelor of Technology program. He has worked in numerous areas of technology in his career, including marine communication technologies in the areas of remote data collection, electromagnetic interference and satellite communications. Having worked with Inmarsat and Iridium, he also has extensive communication application development experience for satellite communication technologies.

After graduating from the Marine Institute in 1990 with a Diploma of Electronics Technology, Darrell acquired a Masters in Technology Management, a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) and a Bachelor of Education (Post-Secondary) from Memorial University.

Darrell teaches in the Bachelor of Technology program and has been its Program Chair for the past three years. He is heavily involved in numerous volunteer initiatives from community groups, local high schools and the 514 Air Cadets.

Phone: (709) 757-0718

Email: darrell.wells@mi.mun.ca

Ling Wu has considerable experience in electrical, electronic and computer technology areas. As a design engineer for 15 years in an electrical power rectifier company, she accumulated knowledge and experiences on electrical, electronics, industry control, microcomputers and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). She also conducted researches in computer hardware and software projects for industry control automations and interfacing.

Ling has a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, a Bachelor of Education (Post-Secondary) from Memorial University and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Northwestern Polytechnic University in China. She is a lifelong learner and currently continues her studies with a Master’s degree of Education (Post-Secondary) in order to gain advanced knowledge regarding students and post-secondary educational institutions.

Ling teaches electrical and control technology courses in many programs at the Marine Institution. She is actively engaged in a number of school activities including the Help Center, which provides support to students, and is keen to be a part of future ocean innovation and technology improvements.

Phone: (709) 778-0481

Email: ling.wu@mi.mun.ca