Meet the OCCI Team
Director • Lead Scientist • Education
Dr. Abimbola Abiola is the Director, Applied Research and Lead Scientists for the Olds College Centre for Innovation. He has a B.Sc. in Soil Microbiology and M.Sc. in Environmental Microbiology (Aquatic) from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and a Ph.D. in Microbial Ecology from the University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He brings over 35 years of industry experience in post-secondary teaching, consulting and research to his position. His general areas of research are resource management, agronomy, environmental monitoring and remediation. Dr. Abiola has worked on numerous international projects in over 20 countries around the world, including Canada, United States of America, China, Jordan, Indonesia, South Korea, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Italy, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, Barbados, St. Lucia and many African countries. His current research projects are in waste management, composting, bio-energy (biodiesel, biogas and biomass to energy), bioremed ... See Full Profile
Environmental Microbiology • Bioremediation
Beatrice is a Research Associate at the Olds College Center for Innovation and she has been involved in applied research projects relating to bioconversion, biofuels, bioremediation, wetlands, water quality and reclamation. With a Ph. D in Marine Biology from Cochin University of Science and Technology in India and nine years of teaching and research experience in applied microbiology and bioremediation she is inspired to explore new research opportunities at Olds College.
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Wetlands • Waste Management • Bioremediation
Dickson is the wetlands research scientist at the Olds College Centre for Innovation and has been involved in pure and applied research in academia and industry. He has a B.Sc. in Natural Resources Conservation from Egerton University, Kenya; M.Sc. in Marine Biology from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium; and a Ph.D. in Conservation Biology from the University of Minnesota, USA. He brings over 15 years of experience in government, industry, teaching and research to his position. His areas of expertise are natural resource conservation, wetlands ecology, water and land reclamation, wastewater management, regulatory approvals, bioremediation and environmental monitoring. His recent research has focused attention on the functional value of the aquatic-terrestrial gradient rather than viewing it as a boundary and he has raised awareness of the critical need to protect wetlands, streams, and the surrounding terrestrial habitat as a single functioning unit.
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Budget • Contracts • Clients
Debbie is responsible for all contracts and financial reporting for OCCI.
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Bioremediation • Soils & Plants • Environmental Sustainability
Halima is the Research Associate at the Olds College Centre for Innovation and she has been involved in applied research projects relating to soil and plant sciences, bioremediation, and reclamation. She earned a plant science doctorate degree from Texas A and M University in May 2007. After her studies, she worked as Researcher and Instructor of Agronomy at McNeese State University, Lake Charles USA. Her areas of research interests are in bioremediation of contaminated environments and, plant and water interactions. Currently she plays a part-time role as a technology & innovation broker by communicating to potential industry clients about the capabilities of our research program and ways we can help solve their problems. She is a member of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists.
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Biodiesel Quality Testing • ASTM standards
After receiving an Agricultural-Technological Assistant Diploma in 1990 Hilke worked with a German company for eight years involved in the cultivation of new strain of grains and was responsible for the technical realization of field, greenhouse and laboratory trials of wheat, barley, rye and triticale. Hilke joined the OCCI team as a Research Technician in October 2007 and focused on bioactive substances from mustard seeds using a biorefinery approach. Hilke is responsible for the operation of the Biodiesel Quality Lab and testing according to the ASTM standards. She is also involved with benchtop conversions of different vegetable oils into Biodiesel.
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Fibre • Research • Education
Ruth has over 35 years’ experience in a broad Canadian base of agriculture, business, government and academic sectors. She has extensive teaching, curriculum and program development expertise, and has been involved in international trade, import/export of livestock, and international fibre research. Ruth manages the Natural Fibre Testing Laboratory at Olds College; is a qualified fibre testing technician; a Certified Camelid Fibre Classer; a Certified AOBA Judge;; a founding member of the Canadian AgriFibre Network; a Wool Judge; and teaches Fibre Workshops extensively throughout North America. Ruth owns R&R Alpacas at Olds, Alberta.
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Biodiesel • Research • Production
Amanda has been working as a Research Technician at the Olds College Centre for Innovation since May 2009. She has an honours diploma in Biological Sciences Technology – Laboratory & Research from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). Amanda has worked in the research areas of biodiesel production, biodiesel analysis, microbiology, algae culture maintenance, and field and greenhouse trials.
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Bioprocessing • Chemical Analysis • Composting
Nalaka Ileperuma joined Olds College Centre for Innovation as a Research Technician in 2007. His duties include Bioprocessing, Extraction of oil from seeds , ASTM testing of biodiesel, fermentation. Nalaka is also responsible for the compost facility of the OCCI where he looks to the recovery of natural resources from society’s daily practices through composting to support a sustainable life for future generations. Prior to joining OCCI Nalaka worked in analytical and teaching laboratories in Sri Lanka for 15 years.
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Administration
A graduate of Olds College Office Administration program, Kelly has worked at the College since 1993. Through various courses, she has continued to increase her knowledge and move forward in her job. She has successfully held a variety of positions such as a Administrative / Clerical support, Composting Technician, Natural Fibre Laboratory Technician, Webmaster, Information Systems Manager, and Events Coordinator.
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Biofuel • Waste Management • Sustainability
Paul is a bioenergy research scientist and has been involved in pure and applied research, product development and commercialization projects within the university community and with industry over the past 10 years. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta in (organometal) chemistry. Paul has expertise in medical devices, bio-based chemicals, regulatory approvals, biofuels, and laboratory management as well as business development. Paul is the manager for OCCI’s NSERC project, “Biodiesel Production, Alternative Feedstocks and Commercial Adoption” as well as bio-remediation projects.
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Biodiesel • Reclamation
Carien Vandenberg, Research Technician at the Olds College Centre for Innovation, has been part of the research team since 2006 assisting on various projects including greenhouse crop production, reclamation, composting, biogas, and biodiesel trials. Carien has a bachelor’s of science degree in agriculture at the University of Guelph and completed a masters degree in animal behaviour in 2003 studying the behaviour and preferences of broiler breeder birds under various light sources. Previously, Carien was assistant manager, Farm Policies and Programs with the Dairy Farmers of Ontario. She grew up on a dairy farm and continues to enjoy advancing research and sharing knowledge in the fields of agriculture and the environment.
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Entrepreneurship • Training
Toby is the manager of the Canadian Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship at Olds College. She has a Masters Degree in Public Administration and her background is in entrepreneur and small business development and rural economic development. She has worked in the private sector, in the non-profit sector, and with government.
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