Our Team
Executive Team
President and CEO
Bill Friedrich
COO
Karimย Teja
CFO
Joeย Topjian
Vice President, Technology
Meagan Hampel
Vice President, External Relations
PROJECT AND PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
May Lynnย Lee
Director of Programs & Services
Catherine Farr
Project Manager
Catherine has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alberta, and worked within several technology and education sectors in Alberta before coming to Cybera. Since joining, she says every day brings new adventures, and loves Cyberansโ willingness to jump in, try out something new, and see what happens. If she's not at her desk, you will find her โin the library, with the candlestick...โ
Brad White
Project Manager
Scott Baker
Project Manager
DATA SCIENCE
Byronย Chu
Director, Data Science
Zachary Shand
Senior Data Scientist
Jiaxin Zhang
Data Scientist
Jiaxin has a MSc from the University of Alberta and previously worked as a consultant in the universityโs Statistics Division. One of his greatest career accomplishments (so far) was placing second place in the Case Studies in Data Analysis Poster Competition at the Statistical Society of Canada 2019 annual meeting.
Huyue Liย
Data Scientist
Huyue holds a Master of Computer Science from the University of Alberta, and is a passionate online gamer (he has even created his own games using the Unity 3D development platform). His favourite thing about working at Cybera is mentoring interns as part of the Alberta Data Science Lab, and helping people get started with their data science career. If he's not at his desk, you will find him browsing at GameStop, or playing the harmonica (seriously!).
Jordan Swanson
Data Scientist
Jordan holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology and Master of Data Science and Analytics, both from University of Calgary, and previously managed a health research lab at the university. As part of his data science work at Cybera, he enjoys teaching others about the cool ways they can incorporate data science into their everyday lives. A general fixit kind of guy, Jordan is as comfortable under the hood of a car as he is behind a computer.
Minshan Xie
Data Scientist
Prior to working here, Minshan was a machine learning developer at WOWzer Technology. At Cybera, she has played a valued data science role on both the Callysto and Applied Data Science Lab projects. She particularly enjoys helping people develop new creative and critical thinking skills through data. โIt's moments like these that remind me of the profound impact our work can have on shaping the next generation of thinkers and innovators.โ If she's not at her desk, you will find her playing with her dogs.
Callysto Project
David Hay
Learning and
Development Manager
Ishruna Muniyat
Communications Specialist
Ishruna has a Master of Pharmacy degree from the University of Dhaka and a Masters of Science in Chemistry with a specialization in Biophysical Chemistry from the University of Calgary. She is passionate about understanding and communicating concepts in science. When she is not at her desk, you will probably find her playing with her feline companions or making art.
Mary Grant
Education Specialist
Mary has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta & Master of Educational Technology from the University of British Columbia. She has been an Educator in Grades 2 to 12 for twenty years, and loves to immerse herself in the school culture and build meaningful connections. Three things Mary cannot live without are her family, the ocean, and pencils, (yes, pencils!).
Bobbi Belsek
Education Specialist
Bobbi has spent the past eight years teaching in Alberta classrooms, primarily working with Grade 5 students. As part of Cyberaโs Callysto team, he is helping classroom teachers integrate data science into their lessons through outreach events and presentations, and he enjoys the challenges this role brings. The three things he could not live without are: coffee, the gym, and camping.
Rania Mahdi
Education Specialist Intern
Jenny Lee
Data Science Intern
Eric Lee
Data Science Intern
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Anna Leung
Controller
Anna received her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary and is a designated Chartered Professional Accountant. She enjoys building spreadsheets and takes pride in a balanced budget. Outside of work, Anna is an adventurous spirit. She dreams of one day crossing an ocean by sailboat, immersing herself in the vastness of water with no land in sight. Anna also cherishes the companionship of her dog and has a fondness for chicken nuggets, which are a must-have in her life.
Carolineย Felsmann
Finance Administrator
Amynย Ramzan
Accountant
Alyshiaย Auston
Senior Human Resources Generalist
Meg Smith
Executive Assistant
Meg is an experienced Executive Assistant with over 10 years of supporting C-level executives under her belt, and has worked extensively on Boards of Directors as a Corporate Secretary in the non-profit space. In addition to her main roles, Meg is also Cyberaโs office manager and Chair of Cyberaโs social committee. Megโs favorite thing about Cybera is our culture and our people. If sheโs not at her desk, you can find her walking her rescue husky, Indy.
Riley Merchant
Human Resources Administrator
Prior to joining Cybera, Riley worked at the Leighton Art Centre, a non-profit museum and art gallery, where she was responsible for developing and organizing an art inventory management process. As well as supporting the general administration of Cyberaโs HR, she is also involved in hiring and onboarding new staff. A big fan of art, she hopes to one day visit the Museo del Prado in Spain to check out the great works they have on display.
TECH SERVICES - Security & Network
Kevin Paul
Director of Cybersecurity Operations
Luis Novoa
Cybersecurity Analyst
Luis holds a Masterโs Degree in Information Technology Security, and started his career in cybersecurity at the Central Bank of Mexico. He appreciates the opportunity to use his knowledge to support the development of the society around him. If heโs not at his desk, you will find him with his family, watching a movie or tv, and, if it is not cold outside, camping, swimming, hiking, biking, or otherwise barbecuing, baking a pizza, or cooking some Mexican food.
Kolby MacDonald
Cybersecurity Analyst
Logan Thies
Systems Administrator
Mike Norton
Network Administrator
Courtney Davis
Network Administrator
Alvaro Pereira
Network Administrator
Bio coming soon...
TECH SERVICES - OPERATIONS
Michealย Jones
Technical Operations Manager
Scott Hurd
Senior Systems Administrator
Chad Garrovillas
Systems Administrator
Chad holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering from De Salle University in the Philippines. Her favourite thing about working at Cybera is supporting the Rapid Access Cloud, which provides free cloud computing resources to researchers and educators to help with their testing, analysis and experimentation. If she's not at her desk, you will find her cuddling with her fur babies, camping, or travelling with her hubby.
Ashley Taylor
System Administrator
Neil Jubinville
Senior System Administrator
Bio coming soon...
TECH SERVICES โ DEVELOPMENT
Darin Brox
Development Manager
Sindhu Srinivasan
Lead Developerย
Sindhuja holds a Master of Computer Applications from the National Institute of Technology in Karnataka, India. In a previous role, she secured the best employee award from IBM India. A typical day at Cybera is unpredictable, which she appreciates. The one place she would most like to visit is the moon, but if she had to stay on Earth, she would also enjoy going on a submarine ride.
Rulan Lu
Software Developer
Rulan holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Calgary, and has previous experience volunteering with a Calgary non-profit to create an application for recruiting mentors for at-risk youth. Her favourite part of working at Cybera is knowing what sheโs doing is making a real difference to others. In her free time, she enjoys making art for friends and family, including pet portraits or designing tattoos.
Jaide Porter
Software Developer
While a student at the University of Calgary, Jaide was the telemetry team lead for the Solar Car team. An active advocate for women representation, she was selected as the team's representative for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Her favourite thing about working at Cybera is the ability to work in a fun and inclusive environment, while collaborating with the team on new challenges. If she's not at her desk, you will find her playing board games, listening to music, or drawing.
Derek Walz
Software Developer
Derek holds a Master of Engineering in Software Engineering from the University of Calgary, and previously spent eight years working as a process engineer in oil and gas. A typical day for him at Cybera is spent learning and applying new skills and practices to solve that weekโs pressing issues. Outside of work, he maintains a small addiction to accumulating vinyl records, and plays the washboard in a bluegrass band.