The technology transfer office is the business development arm of Western’s research network and the bridge between local invention and global industry.

The team draws upon a mix of industry connections, sector-specific market knowledge and business development expertise to help researchers and local inventors commercialize their discoveries through licensing and new company spin-offs.

Team Members

Sarah Brooks

Associate Director, New Ventures

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 82434
Email: sarah.brooks@uwo.ca

• Oversees commercialization training and programming offered by the technology transfer office.
• Manages BioNext, Western’s MedTech incubator.
• Focuses on Life Science and IT technologies.

Rebecca Gould

Program Specialist

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 84733
Email: rebecca.gould@uwo.ca

• Leads the launch and delivery of programs and projects within the Technology Transfer Office, supporting innovation and commercialization efforts for Western researchers and partners.
• Designs and coordinates educational initiatives focused on research technology development, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property strategy.
• Provides administrative leadership to ensure efficient, strategic, and impactful implementation of program offerings aligned with Western Research priorities.

Tristan Harrison

Business Development Manager

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 84594
Email: tristan.harrison@uwo.ca

• Manages intellectual property protection and licensing activities for the portfolio of physical science and engineering innovations.
• Evaluates and provides feedback to researchers on new inventions, including potential for intellectual property protection, possible commercialization pathways, and assist with commercialization grants.
• Provides educational resources to researchers on innovation, entrepreneurship, and research commercialization.

Nicole Kuntz

Business Development Manager

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 89096
Email: nicole.kuntz@uwo.ca

• Manages intellectual property protection and licensing activities for the portfolio of life science innovations, including technology from Western and the London hospital research institutes.
• Evaluates and provides feedback to researchers on new inventions, including potential for intellectual property protection, possible commercialization pathways, and assist with commercialization grants.
• Provides educational resources to researchers on innovation, entrepreneurship, and research commercialization.

Tyler Lougheed

Patent and Market Analyst

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 82969
Email: tloughe3@uwo.ca

Colin Macaulay

Business Devlopment Manager

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 89095
Email: cmacaul3@uwo.ca

• Manages intellectual property protection and licensing activities for a portfolio of life-science innovations.
• Evaluates and provide feedback to researchers on new inventions, including potential for intellectual property protection, possible commercialization pathways, and assists with commercialization grants.
• Provides educational resources to researchers and the community on innovation, entrepreneurship, and research commercialization.

Thurman Sawyer

Agreements Advisor

Email: thurman.sawyer@uwo.ca

Maria Varon (on leave)

Marketing Manager

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 83863
Email: mvaron@uwo.ca

Nadine Weedmark

Manager, IP & Administration

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 84183
Email: ipm@uwo.ca

• Manages the invention process and maintains the intellectual property database.
• Reports metrics to relevant partners and collaborators.
• Manages license and royalty payments.

BioNext

Tom Chmiel

Biomedical Fabrication Specialist, BioNext

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 20845
Email: tom.chmiel@uwo.ca

• Collaborates with Western researchers and external partners to design and develop medical devices in alignment with Health Canada, FDA and ISO standards.
• Delivers technical and manufacturing support for prototype fabrication and iteration.
• Oversees facility operation.

Barbara Murray

Clinical Research Manager, BioNext

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 82434
Email: barbara.murray@uwo.ca

• Supports Western researchers and external partners in navigating early-stage clinical trial pathways, including regulatory strategy, study design, and Health Canada/FDA requirements.
• Connects investigators, clinicians, and industry partners with the right expertise, resources, and infrastructure for early-stage MedTech development and clinical validation.
• Guides start-ups and collaborators through Western’s MedTech innovation ecosystem to advance translational research and commercialization.