Collaboration in Higher Education

The Post-Secondary Institutions Sub-Committee aims to foster collaboration and leverage resources across our PSI network to support entrepreneurs and venture development. We proudly partner with seven of the Edmonton region’s post-secondary institutions: MacEwan University, The King’s University, the University of Alberta, NAIT, NorQuest College, Athabasca University, and Concordia University of Edmonton.

 

Olle Lagerquist, Chair - ERIN PSI Sub-Committee,
Associate vice president of Industry Solutions,
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

As the Associate Vice-President Industry Solutions at NAIT, Olle is responsible for leading the vision, strategic priorities, and alignment across multiple teams that serve industry through applied research and skills development. He has spent the past 16 years working with companies and academics to advance research, innovation, partnerships and collaborations across Alberta, Canada, and internationally.  His favorite activity is to help build effective and collaborative teams.

 

Carla Craveiro Salvado, Associate Vice-President, Research, Concordia university of edmonton

Dr. Carla Craveiro Salvado is Associate Vice President, Research at CUE, supporting faculty and student research and fostering connections between research and teaching. Formerly Director of Operations and Research at the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, she has led key programs in viral disease and vaccine development. With a PhD in Immunology from the University of Alberta, Carla is an experienced educator and mentor passionate about advancing health research. Outside work, she enjoys soccer, travel, and cooking.

 

Craig Kuziemsky, Associate Vice-President Research,
MacEwan University

Dr. Craig Kuziemsky is Associate Vice-President Research at MacEwan University, with extensive experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership. Formerly at the University of Ottawa, he was a Research Chair in Healthcare Innovation and received the Young Researcher of the Year Award. His research focuses on health systems management and collaborative care, with over 180 publications and significant research funding. He is also a fellow of the International Academy of Health Science Informatics.

 

Darren Fast, Associate Vice-President of Innovation, Knowledge Mobilization & Partnerships at the University of Alberta

Darren Fast is the Associate Vice-President of Innovation, Knowledge Mobilization & Partnerships at the University of Alberta. He leads the innovation strategy to connect campus and community resources, supporting entrepreneurs and ensuring research creates real-world impact through partnerships and knowledge mobilization. Darren also fosters research collaborations locally and internationally and serves as a liaison to funding agencies.

 

David Burry, applied research business development officer, NorQuest College

David Burry is an experienced entrepreneur and innovation leader with a strong background in business development and technology commercialization. Based in Edmonton, he focuses on supporting startups, driving strategic partnerships, and fostering growth in the innovation ecosystem. David is passionate about helping businesses scale and creating lasting impact through technology and collaboration.

 

Ramses Ilarraza, Acting Associate Vice-President, Research,
Athabasca University

Dr. Ramses Ilarraza is an experienced researcher and academic administrator. His scientific career in biomedical lab research, which includes six years of postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Alberta and the University of Manitoba, has focused on the role of the immune response in asthma and other respiratory diseases, among his work in other fields. His research has been highlighted in leading journals in the field of immunology.

 

Tetyana Khramova, Assistant Professor of Business,
King’s University

Tetyana Khramova is a skilled program manager and innovation specialist with experience in driving startup growth and ecosystem development. She has a strong background in managing accelerator programs, fostering community engagement, and supporting entrepreneurs through mentorship and strategic guidance. Tetyana is passionate about building collaborative environments that empower startups and promote sustainable innovation.

 

Jeff Shon, Edmonton Unlimited

Jeff Shon is an experienced technology executive and entrepreneur with expertise in software development, product management, and business strategy. He is passionate about building innovative solutions that drive business growth and improve user experiences. Jeffrey actively supports startups and fosters collaboration within the tech community.

 

EX-Officio Members:

 

ERIN's Committee Members are dedicated volunteers who passionately support entrepreneurs and drive innovation. Their invaluable contributions are essential to the success and growth of innovative businesses in the Edmonton region, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment.