Team

Our Technology Transfer Team is responsible for:

  • Identifying, protecting and promoting promising discoveries and technologies generated at Western, Robarts & Lawson;
  • Guiding and assisting inventors in exercising value-added technology development strategy and exploring commercialization funding opportunities;
  • Negotiating and closing licensing deals with industrial partners committed to developing Western, Robarts & Lawson inventions. 

Interested in joining our team? Learn about career opportunities with WORLDiscoveries®

Executive Director

Paul Paolatto MBA, B.Comm, B.A.

Acting Executive Director of WORLDiscoveries®

  • Responsible for consolidating the Business Development Offices at the University of Western Ontario, Robarts Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute.
  • Responsible for expanding WORLDiscoveries® industry partnership, income and start-up portfolio.
  • Previously served as CEO for two software companies and VP Operations for a leading energy services company, now transitioning to Executive Director of Western Research Park.
  • Active in several community initiatives including the London Police Services Board, The Stiller Centre, Children’s Hospital Foundation, Techalliance of Southwestern Ontario and London Junior Knights Rep Hockey Program. 

+1.519.850.2307

Engineering and Natural Sciences (ENS), Social Innovation

Patrick Therrien B. Sc.

Business Development Manager (Faculty of Science)

  • Responsible for expanding relationships with industry and increasing industrially sponsored research and technology transfer within the Faculty of Science.
  • Reporting through the Director of WORLDiscoveries® and the Dean of Science.
  • Specialties:
    • Connecting industry and the Faculty of Science
    • Securing industry sponsored research

+1.519.850.2997

Life Sciences

Sandy Vascotto Ph.D

Head - Western Life Sciences Group

  • Specialties:
    • Cell and Molecular Biology
    • Regenerative Medicine
    • Biomaterials
    • Tissue Engineering
    • Molecular Genetics

+1.519.661.4152

Souzan Armstrong Ph.D

Business Development Manager (Life Sciences)

  • Specialties:
    • Cell and Molecular Biology
    • Medical Chemistry
    • Biochemistry
    • Microscopy and Imaging

+1.519.661.3964

Kirk Brown M.L.T., M.Sc

Business Development Manager
(Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lawson)

  • Specialties:
    • Health
    • Medicine
    • Therapeutics
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Diagnostics
    • Imaging
    • Surgical Innovation

+1.519.685.8500 x77738

Ahmed Yousef Ph.D, MBA

Business Development Manager
(Life Sciences, Lawson)

  • Specialties:
    • Molecular Biology
    • Oncology
    • Virology
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Health and Medicine

+1.519.661.4192

Administration

Nadine Weedmark B.A., C.I.M.

Administration & Budget Manager

  • Manages office
  • Specialties:
    • Budget Management
    • Spin-off Establishment

+1.519.661.4183

Jan Payne Ph.D, MLIS

Patent and Market Analyst

  • Performs due diligence studies on invention disclosures, including in depth patent prior art searches and market research
  • Provides assistance in protecting inventions through patents
  • Specialties:
    • Due Diligence Studies
    • Patent Prior Art Searches
    • Market Research
    • Patent Protection Assistance

+1.519.661.2111 x84597

Jonathan Deeks B.Eng

Inventions and Patents Manager

  • Day-to-day management of all aspects of Intellectual Property licenses and patents for WORLDiscoveries®
  • Provides information management expertise and support
  • Provides support to colleagues, faculty and staff regarding intellectual property protection and institutional IP policies
  • Specialties:
    • Day-to-Day Management of IP Licenses and Patents
    • Information Management
    • IP Protection and Institutional Policies

+1.519.661.2111 x84594

Lori Lariviere

Program Coordinator (Lawson)

  • Specialties:
    • Coordination of Departmental Operations
    • License Agreement Compliance
    • Budgetary Issues

+1.519.685.8500 x74704

Thurman Sawyer M.A., J.D.

Agreements Advisor

  • Responsible for assisting Business Development Managers and Faculty with the formation of agreements
  • Specialties:
    • Agreement formation and completion

+1.519.661.3734

Fabian Folias  

Electronic Media Channel Coordinator

  • Responsible for developing, maintaining and the online marketing of the WORLDiscoveries® website
  • Responsible for the marketing of technologies across various e-commerce channels

+1.519.661.2111 x83863

Mona Wuytenburg

Administrative Assistant

  • Assists with office administrative tasks
  • Specializes in Intellectual Property matters

+1.519.661.3468

International Operations

Ling Ting MBA

Director - Asian Operations

  • Specialties:
    • Developing and implementing the mission and strategies for the Asian Operation;
    • Identifying and pursuing the commercialization opportunities in the region for WD’s key technologies;
    • Managing a Business Development team in Asia and day-to-day activities towards successful closing of IP licensing deals and other partnerships.

+1.519.850.2427

Consultants

Glen Smeltzer MBA, BASc, P. Eng

Director

  • Responsible for business development and commercialization of selected technologies in engineering and applied science.
  • Previously served as a Partner in an early-stage venture capital management firm, CEO of a profitable technology company start-up, and as President of the Stiller Centre for Technology Commercialization.
  • Served as a Director or advisor to a number of early-stage start-ups across technology and business sectors.

+1.519.661.2111 x89097

WORLDiscoveries®

Born out of a partnership between The University of Western Ontario, Robarts Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute... we are the Business Development arm of London, Ontario’s extensive research network and leading edge in the bridge between local invention and global industry.