Join us to meet five inspiring voices, each on a unique career path but with a shared vision for a thriving cell ag community. Hear their stories, what drew them to the field, how they see the sector evolving, and what excites them most about the future.
Please note that the webinar won’t be recorded, so be sure to join us live!

The Landscape of Canadian Science and Technology in Cellular Agriculture Webinar Series is a collaborative project from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, District 3 Innovation Centre, and New Harvest.

Panelists

Vincent Abe-Inge, Graduate Student, McGill University
Vincent Abe-Inge is currently a PhD researcher at McGill University and holds a doctoral degree in Food Science and Technology from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). His current research focuses on modelling inclusive and equitable sustainable dietary guidelines for sustainable dietary transitions. Vincent possesses expertise in food systems analysis, dietary pattern analysis, alternative proteins, sustainable nutrition, political economy of dietary transition and food science. He has shared his work on global platforms, delivering presentations at major local and international conferences in Ghana, Canada, France and Singapore. Vincent brings extensive experience in knowledge transfer, sustainable dietary analysis, food product innovation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration aimed at building resilient, equitable agri-food ecosystems. Vincent is the founder of AidHUB Ghana, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting hunger in Ghanaian orphanages.

Renan Danielski, New Harvest Postdoctoral Fellow, Advanced Post-Harvest Technology Centre (APHTC), Lethbridge Polytechnic
Dr. Renan Danielski is a New Harvest Postdoctoral Fellow at Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Advanced Post-Harvest Technology Centre, specializing in the upcycling of agricultural co-products into processing inputs for cellular agriculture and biomanufacturing. He earned his Ph.D. in Food Science from Memorial University of Newfoundland, receiving the prestigious Governor General’s Gold Medal for academic excellence. Dr. Danielski’s expertise includes encapsulation of bioactive compounds, bioactivity assessment of nutraceutical compounds, and functional food development.

Jessica Mukiri, Research Associate, University of the Fraser Valley, Food and Agricultural Institute and Ph.D. Candidate, University of British Columbia
Jessica Mukiri is a Research Associate at the University of the Fraser Valley and a PhD candidate at UBC, whose work focuses on equitable transitions to sustainable food systems. Her research bridges alternative proteins, agri-genomics, and food system justice, with a particular emphasis on including farmer perspectives in conversations about innovation. Inspired by her background and experience across the Global South, she examines how Canada’s shift toward alternative proteins impacts communities, farmers, and food equity. Previously, she spent over seven years with the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, contributing to environmental assessments and decision-support tools for livestock systems across multiple countries.

Avery Parkinson, Undergraduate Student, McMaster University
Avery is a fourth year chemical engineering student at McMaster University and the co-founder of the McMaster Alternative Protein Project. She has previously volunteered with Cellular Agriculture Canada and the Kaplan Lab at Tufts University.

Rikard Saqe, Graduate Student, University of Waterloo
Rikard Saqe is a graduate student in chemical engineering at the University of Waterloo, whose research is focused on the use of computational biology and machine learning to accelerate cultivated meat development. His work has been supported by organizations including the Good Food Institute and New Harvest. Rikard has received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, with minors in computer science and biology, also at the University of Waterloo.

About the series:

Since 2024, New Harvest Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and District 3 Innovation Centre have joined forces to organize a series of virtual events showcasing the projects and Canadian leaders advancing cellular agriculture in Canada. The overarching objective of this event series is twofold: to provide a platform for disseminating valuable information and to spark connections among players in the field in Canada and beyond. Our events adhere to Chatham Rules, intending to provide an inclusive and safe space where participants can engage in informative discussions, forge new connections, and collectively help to shape the future of cellular agriculture.

New Harvest Canada: New Harvest Canada is a field-building nonprofit organization dedicated to reimagining how we make agricultural products—using cells instead of whole animals or plants. We fund and conduct original research to guide the development and governance of a cellular agriculture ecosystem toward realizing its promise of creating a new, just food system for a climate-changed world.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC): Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada supports the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector through initiatives that promote innovation and competitiveness.

District 3 Innovation Centre: District 3 Innovation Centre is a vibrant hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, fostering the growth of startups and supporting the development of cutting-edge ideas in various industries. Based at Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec and with a focus on collaboration, District 3 empowers entrepreneurs to transform their vision into reality through mentorship, resources, and a dynamic ecosystem.

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