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Operation Committees

The Connected Minds Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is integral to our program, with EDI principles embedded in our design and core research goals, including Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) and diverse leadership. Our committee collaborates to tackle systemic barriers within the program and the broader York and Queen’s communities. The committee will lead the development and implementation of the EDI Action Plan, guided by experts, evidence, and best practices in equity work. The EDI Committee aims to create and oversee a just and inclusive program that challenges, addresses, and provides guidance on navigating systemic barriers of oppression, both present and future, within the technosocial research environment, training, governance, and administration.


Vincent DePaul

Title: Lead, EDI Committee

Alvine B. Belle

Title: Committee Member

Catherine Stinson

Title: Committee Member

Gerome Manson

Title: Committee Member

Mary Bunch

Title: Committee Member

Amanda van Beinum

Title: Committee Member

Tesh Dagne

Title: Committee Member

Ruth Green

Title: Committee Member

Achala Rodrigo

Title: Committee Member

The Facilities and Infrastructure Committee at Connected Minds maintains and coordinates major research infrastructure to support our cutting-edge projects. This committee ensures that all necessary resources and facilities are available and efficiently managed, enabling seamless research activities and fostering innovation within our community. The committee also provides general oversight, including monitoring and reporting activities, and recommending priority area projects to the leadership committee. Additionally, they liaise with other CM Committees to ensure these resources are available for Connected Minds Researchers and Trainees.


James Elder

Title: Lead, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee

Jason Gallivan

Title: Lead, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee

Sean Hillier

Title: Committee Member

Marcus Brubaker

Title: Committee Member

Laura Levin

Title: Committee Member

Laleh Seyyed-Kalantari

Title: Committee Member

Jennifer Steeves

Title: Committee Member

Jeff Schall

Title: Committee Member

Dale Stevens

Title: Committee Member

The Innovation and Commercialization Committee at Connected Minds guides ethical and responsible commercialization activities, drawing on expertise from government, non-profit, and private sector professionals. The ICC fosters education and industry engagement for members and trainees, adjudicates applications for Prototyping Fund awards, and advises on moving technology closer to market. By facilitating start-ups and spin-off companies and working closely with researchers, the ICC mobilizes knowledge and communicates the impact of their work.


David Phipps

Title: Interim Lead, Innovation and Commercialization Committee

Jim Banting

Title: Vice-Lead, Innovation and Commercialization Committee

The Knowledge Mobilization (KM) Committee at Connected Minds is responsible for implementing the Connected Minds KM Plan, aiming to create a highly collaborative environment where researchers and stakeholders work closely together to benefit both society and the economy. This committee has the overarching duty of raising the international profile of the Connected Minds Program and disseminating its research outcomes and scholarly activities. The KM Committee aims to maximize the real-world impact of the program through knowledge synthesis, dissemination, transfer, exchange, and co-creation by researchers and knowledge users, with a particular emphasis on involving Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing in their work.


Ian Stedman

Title: Lead, Knowledge Mobilization Committee

Michael Wheeler

Title: Vice-Lead, Knowledge Mobilization Committee

Lara Pierce

Title: Committee Member

Michael Johnny

Title: Committee Member

Joel Ong

Title: Committee Member

Cora Coady

Title: Committee Member

Najat Khalifa

Title: Committee Member

The Partnerships Committee at Connected Minds develops and facilitates multi-sector partnerships, providing strategic direction on partner engagement and performance oversight at local, national, and international levels. The committee also communicates program and partner-based workshops and events, oversees Travel Awards for scholars and trainees, and monitors visiting scholar/trainee metrics with a focus on EDI. Additionally, it supports governance and integrative activities for partners and visiting scholars/trainees, offering guidance on necessary course corrections.


Laura Levin

Title: Lead, Partnerships Committee

Ramzi Asfour

Title: Co-Lead, Partnerships Committee

Lauren Sergio

Title: Committee Member

Ozzy Mermut

Title: Committee Member

Matthew Pan

Title: Committee Member

Taien Ng-Chan

Title: Committee Member

The Performance Monitoring Committee at Connected Minds tracks the program’s progress according to the performance monitoring plan. It provides essential feedback, support, and remediation to address targets, risks, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring the program stays on track and meets its objectives.


Catherine Donnelly

Title: Lead, Performance Monitoring Committee

Caitlin Mullin

Title: Co-Lead, Performance Monitoring Committee

If you would like to join our Performance Monitoring Committee, please reach out to our vice-lead, Caitlin Mullin.

The Research Committee at Connected Minds coordinates the program’s activities and contributions towards transdisciplinary research and commercialization goals. It ensures that the program’s research efforts are aligned with its mission and facilitates the integration of diverse disciplines to drive innovation and commercial success.


Kohitij Kar

Title: Lead, Research Committee

Jonathan Obar

Title: Committee Member

Kiemute Oyibo

Title: Committee Member

Aijun An

Title: Committee Member

Monakshi Sawhney

Title: Committee Member

Christine Till

Title: Committee Member

Sarah Waisvisz

Title: Committee Member

Monica Castelhano

Title: Committee Member

Wendy Wong

Title: Committee Member

Doug Munoz

Title: Committee Member

Alvine Belle

Title: Committee Member

The Training Committee at Connected Minds oversees the multi-institutional training program and adjudicates scholarships and fellowships with the Faculties of Graduate Studies at York and Queen’s. It ensures recruitment quality and EDI targets are met, and monitors trainee exchange opportunities. The committee also builds community among students and Postdoctoral Fellows, fosters professional skills development through workshops, and links to industry and community. Additionally, the Training Committee collaborates with partner organizations to create and support scaffolding schemes that aid the transition of equity-deserving students through key stages of training, addressing educational barriers and promoting equity in STEM fields.


Susan Boehnke

Title: Lead, Training Committee

Shital Desai

Title: Co-Lead, Training Committee

Claire Davies

Title: Committee Member

Gerome Manson

Title: Committee Member

Jonathan Michaels

Title: Committee Member

Usman Khan

Title: Committee Member

Jennifer Pybus

Title: Committee Member

Richard Reeve

Title: Committee Member

Elham Dolatabadi

Title: Committee Member

Kristin Andrews

Title: Committee Member

Murat Kristal

Title: Committee Member

Kelly Bergstrom

Title: Committee Member