Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas - the Rainforest podcast

In this episode, Brent Zuber hosts Troy Feener as they delve into research collaborations at the University of Calgary, the importance of translating basic research into industry impact, and new research initiatives at ACAT focusing on antimicrobial drug development and infectious diseases.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Brent Zuber, a dedicated professional, has been actively contributing to the growth and innovation of Alberta's technology sector as both an employee and recent advisor and board member at Technology Alberta, a non-profit organization championing the interests of technology professionals and businesses in the province. With core competencies in process improvement, customer relationship management, and employee benefits, Brent has applied his skills across various industries. Additionally, he holds a private pilot license, a glider pilot license, and a radio certificate, showcasing his passion for aviation and continuous learning. As a community builder and mentor, Brent volunteers as an entrepreneurial advisor at the Haskayne School of Business, Hunter Centre (UCalgary), where he assists aspiring entrepreneurs in developing their business ideas and connecting with resources. With a lifelong commitment to learning and a knack for adapting to new challenges, Brent is driven by the pursuit of excellence and is always eager to explore new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Guest: Troy Feener is the Chief Operations Officer at Rapid Infection Diagnostics Inc. (RID), he leads a mission-driven organization dedicated to reducing death and disability from infectious diseases through cutting-edge diagnostic technology. With over 4 years of experience in the role, Troy oversees strategic planning, execution, and evaluation of RID's operations, products, and services. With a background spanning 20 years in microbiology, parasitology, and immunology, including a master's degree and a 6-year tenure as a program manager at the University of Calgary's Lewis Research Group he leverages his scientific expertise and creative problem-solving skills to develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of customers, partners, and stakeholders.

Show Links:

• University of Calgary 

Show Quotes:

"If you're in an elderly population, if you are on dialysis, like I said, all of these sort of comorbidities, that's the term of humans, they add up to you being more susceptible to get infections and not recover from those infections."

"Plants have viruses. Bacteria have viruses. Every living organism just about on the planet has a virus that can infect it. Well, one of the things that we've done is we've hacked those viruses to kill microbes, which is pretty cool."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan