Get to know Cambrian R&D.

Government funding is available for colleges and businesses to partner to enhance innovation across Canada. Cambrian R&D provides solutions that improve services, processes, and products.

Applied Research and Development starts with an idea to improve or create a product or process, and refines that idea until it’s ready for use within a business, organization, or commercialization in the marketplace. Essentially, applied research identifies needs and tests solutions, with the aim of making change in the near future.

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Meet your research team.

Meet your management and business development team.

Dr. Mike Commito

Director, Applied Research & Innovation

Mike has been the Director of Applied Research & Innovation at Cambrian College since 2018. Under Mike’s direction, Cambrian has expanded its research portfolio into new areas and has landed several significant research grants, including a Technology Access Centre from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Prior to becoming Director, Mike worked as a Business Developer in Applied Research for more than two years. Mike has a PhD in History from McMaster University.

Steve Gravel

Manager, Centre for Smart Mining

Steve Gravel is the Manager of the Centre for Smart Mining, a federally funded Technology Access Centre that focuses on facilitating new technology adoption in the mining sector by providing mining technology companies with technical services and funding. Prior to leading the Centre for Smart Mining, Steve held a position at the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), where he worked with Ontario SMEs and tech firms as a Business Development and Commercialization Manager.

Lana Benoit, CPA, CA,

Manager of Research Accounting

Lana is the Manager of Research Accounting for Cambrian R&D and the Centre for Smart Mining. She is responsible for all financial aspects of the department, including project accounting, grant compliance and financial reporting, project budgeting, claims submission, and metrics reporting. Lana has over 17 years of both public and private sector experience, which has included working at University Health Network, Ernst & Young, Darby Manufacturing, and, more recently, Health Sciences North. Lana has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University and earned her accounting designation in 2006.

Cody Cacciotti

Business Developer

Cody is responsible for working with industry partners to develop and manage applied research projects across all fields of study at the college. Cody brings significant experience in project management from his previous role as Operations Manager at the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre. Joining Cambrian R&D in March 2019, Cody brings his expertise in education, tourism and economic development along with a diversified skillset in writing, research, public relations and event coordination.

Avril Kingsley

Training Consultant

Avril has over seven years of experience in corporate training, specializing in the mining sector, and has implemented effective training programs tailored to the industry’s unique needs. She has a proven ability to support clients and individual participants, ensuring all training needs are met with the highest standards. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Management Degree, a Business Administration Diploma, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resource Studies.

Pamela Drouin

Administrative and Communications Coordinator

Pamela joined the Cambrian R&D team in July 2019. In her role, Pamela helps manage the department’s day-to-day operations, planning and organizing of various events, and overseeing marketing initiatives, which includes managing Cambrian R&D social media platforms. Prior to joining Cambrian, Pamela was the Sales Manager of Northern Ontario Business and the Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal. Pamela completed the Business Administration – Management Program at Cambrian College and graduated with honors in 2005.

Let’s bring your idea to life

Growth starts with a simple chat. Get in touch today to see how Cambrian R&D can help.