Our Researchers

Kyle Brymer, Ph.D.
Research Associate, Health

Dr. Brymer has research expertise in both applied research and basic science domains. During his undergraduate degree at UNB, Kyle was involved in two main research projects focused on a pilot program designed to inform new mothers about the difficulties arising from breastfeeding and the influence of genetic relatedness on helping behaviour. Kyle’s PhD research used rodent models of stress to model depression and examined the antidepressant effects of novel therapeutic compounds and their ability to restore depression-induced deficits in cognition. As a postdoctoral research fellow at Memorial University, Kyle utilized rodent models to examine mechanisms underlying disease progression during Alzheimer disease. As a Research Associate at NBCC, he hopes to synthesize his applied research background with the expertise in mental health and Alzheimer disease acquired during his graduate and postdoctoral research to move forward projects emphasizing aging in the province. 

Eltaher El-Shanta, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Centre for Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing

Eltaher has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of New Brunswick. Eltaher brings experience in systems analysis and design, machine learning, and mobile software development to benefit projects with business partners.

Eloho Ifinedo, Ph.D.
Research Associate, Educational Technologies

Dr. Ifinedo has provided invaluable research expertise to educational technology start-ups and not-for-profit organizations delivering science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programming for K-12 learners as well as for community organizations with an education mandate such as Black Lives Matter New Brunswick (BLMNB). Her research expertise includes theory testing, evaluation, design, and development of technology-enabled learning and teaching innovations. Other areas of interest are human-computer interactions, information systems, qualitative and quantitative data collection, and analysis. She has a Ph.D. in Educational Technology and a Master's in Mobile Technology and Business from the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland. She also has a Master’s of Computer Science from the University of Benin, Nigeria. Before joining NBCC, she was a member of the Innovative Learning Environments at the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland, with a research focus involving user experience and design, learning technologies and environments and their impact on well-being, and assessment of innovations in educational technologies and practices. Eloho has several publications and is based in Saint John.

Joni Leger, MAHSR
Research Associate, Social Innovation

Joni develops, conducts, and supports applied research projects in the social sciences. Joni has a background in research, project development and administration, and social service work. Most recently, she was Director of Business Development with Mitacs. Prior to this, Joni was Manager of Programs with Springboard Atlantic. Joni also spent five years with NBCC Applied Research & Innovation as an Applied Research Development Officer. Joni has completed research on peer support for new mothers with postpartum depression and resource needs of teen parents. She has also worked with non-profit organizations in front-line program delivery with at-risk populations delivering innovative parenting and employment readiness programs. Joni earned a Master’s in Applied Health Services Research from UNB where her research was supported by a CIHR Master’s award. She began her PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies at UNB in January 2022. Given the broad nature of social innovation, Joni’s research capabilities have the potential to support applied research and experiential learning in a broad range of areas. She is based in Fredericton.

Sandy Liu, M.Sc.
Research Program Manager, Centre for Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing

Sandy’s extensive R&D and project leadership experience ensures proposed projects are effectively coordinated. In addition, Sandy possesses subject matter expertise in software architecture, artificial intelligence, and user-centred design.

Mullai Manoharan, M.Sc.
Research Associate, Agri-Food

Mullai is passionate in the areas of research related to agriculture and food and related industries. Mullai comes from an agriculture background. He completed  dual-undergraduate degrees in Horticulture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India and Environmental Horticulture from Nova Scotia Agriculture College, Truro, NS. He completed his Masters of Science Degree from Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Agriculture. His graduate research focused on studies related to turfgrass plant pathology. After graduation, Mullai worked for a forestry company in NB for over seven years where he was in charge of production and applied research activities in a commercial setting to grow high value conifer trees. During his time with the company, Mullai and his team grew more than 10 million, high-value seedlings for reforestation. Mullai has a Green Belt certification in Lean Six-Sigma from this experience. At NBCC, Mullai’s research focusses on integration of business partners, students, and community under the broad umbrella of agri-food research. Applied research in Agri-food will benefit New Brunswick’s farming and business community, particularly those dealing with process owners that handle farm-to-fork and all stakeholders in between. Mullai’s applied research priorities align with GNB’s Local Food and Beverages Strategy.

William McIver, Jr., Ph.D.
NSERC Industrial Research Chair, Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing

Dr. McIver is the Director of the Centre for Applied Research in Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing. He leads a diverse team focused on research and development for business and community partners of all sizes. While his background is in computer science, Bill has an in-depth knowledge of a wide variety of subjects. His expertise encompasses software development and engineering, data analysis, useability, and product ideation.

Chien Nguyen, B.Sc.
Research Technician and Project Coordinator, Centre for Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing

Chien has years of experience working as an electrical engineer and manager in large international corporations. Chien works dedicatedly with the team members and business partners to ensure deliverables are produced to expectations.

Ahmed Shalaby, Ph.D.
NBIF Research Fellow, Centre for Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing

Ahmed has a Ph.D. in Meteorology from Cairo University and held a postdoctoral position at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy. Ahmed has over 20 years of experience in developing numerical models for weather prediction and related problems. In recent years, he developed a simulation of particulate dispersion from the Minto tire fire for the Government of New Brunswick. Ahmed is nearing completion of a Master’s degree in Forestry and Environmental Management at UNB. Ahmed works on Internet of Things projects that involve monitoring environmental conditions for growers.