Chair

Venkatesh Meda 
Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan
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Local Planning Committee

Executive Committee

CSABE-SCGAB SK student chapter

Webmaster

René Morissette, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Québec City, QC
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Biographies

Bishnu Acharya
SK Regional Director, CSABE
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Chair in Bioprocess Engineering & Associate Professor Chemical and Biological Engineering

Dr. Bishnu Acharya is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, where he also holds the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Endowed Research Chair in Bioprocess Engineering. Originally from Nepal, he completed his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Tribhuvan University, followed by a master’s degree in Energy Technology from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. He later earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Dalhousie University in Canada. Before joining the University of Saskatchewan, he held industry and academic positions, including serving as General Manager of Projects at Greenfield Research Incorporated in Halifax and working as a faculty member at the University of Prince Edward Island.

At USask, Dr. Acharya leads a dynamic research program focused on developing a circular bioeconomy, transforming low-value agricultural residues and biomass into high-value bioproducts. His work spans thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis, gasification, hydrothermal treatment, and combustion, as well as biological and chemical conversion pathways. Through these approaches, his team creates innovative materials, chemicals, and energy products from agricultural byproducts like canola meal, oat hulls, and flax waste. His research has also led to the development of unique bio-based innovations, including biodegradable, plant-derived glitter materials and sustainable packaging solutions.

Dr. Acharya is widely recognized for his scientific contributions and leadership. In 2024, he received the Mitacs Award for Outstanding Research Leadership, acknowledging his success in converting agricultural byproducts into high-value industrial materials while collaborating closely with Canadian companies. Over his career, he has published extensively, supervised numerous undergraduate and graduate students, and contributed meaningfully to advancing sustainable bioprocess engineering in Canada. His entrepreneurial activities include helping launch technology-focused spin-offs like TuniStrong Technologies Inc. and CanXtract Innovations Inc., reflecting his commitment to translating research into real-world impact.

Motivated by his upbringing in a country with limited fossil fuel resources, Dr. Acharya has built a career around finding renewable, environmentally responsible alternatives. He is known not only for his scientific achievements but also for his dedication to mentoring students and training the next generation of engineers and researchers. His work exemplifies how engineering, sustainability, and innovation can converge to produce meaningful solutions for agriculture, industry, and the environment.

Terry Fonstad
Associate Vice-President (research; ethics and infrastructure)

Education and Experience

• Ph.D. (University of Saskatchewan) 2004
• M.Sc. (University of Saskatchewan) 1996
• B.E. (University of Saskatchewan) 1988

Dr. Fonstad's expertise is environmental engineering. His research and academic interests are in waste management and utilization, surface water and ground water protection and development, ion exchange in reactive groundwater transport, intensive livestock facility planning and development. He has been involved in the development and review of Waste Management Guidelines as well as municipal bylaw and planning activities.

Professor Fonstad's professional engineering activities have included extensive industrial consultations on site investigations for the establishment of intensive livestock operations, development of guidelines for intensive livestock facilities, development of guidelines for the design and construction of earthen manure storages and environmental waste management and treatment systems.

Professional associations include APES, CSAE, ASAE.

Dr. Ajay Kumar Dalai
Professor

Professor Dalai is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. He has served as Canada Research Chair (2001-2024) in Bioenergy, Head of Chemical Engineering and as Associate Dean, Research and Partnership in the College of Engineering. Professor Dalai worked as Special Adviser to VP Research Signature Areas of Energy and Mineral Resources. His research focus is on sustainable energy and bio-product production from biomass, petroleum refining technology and pollution control strategies. Dr. Dalai has published over 700 research papers with his 200+ researchers and many national and international collaborators. His ground-breaking research has led to over 54,000 citations of his work, H-index of 115 and i10-index of 539. He serves in Editorial Board of several prestigious journals. Professor Dalai has received fellowship from 10 different prestigious societies. He is also a Fulbright Fellow from USA, DAAD Fellow from Germany and JSPS Fellow from Japan. Professor Dalai has received several national and international awards including Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers DRC Life Time Achievement Award, Canadian Society of Chemical Engineering R.S. Jane Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to Chemical Engineering Profession, Royal Society of Canada’s Miraslow Romanoswki Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Science, University of Saskatchewan’s George Ivany Internationalization Award, and University of Saskatchewan’s Distinguished Researcher Award.

Chithra Karunakaran, PhD, C.Mgr, MBA
Director of Science and Innovation

Chithra Karunakaran was appointed CLS Director of Science and Innovation in June 2024, after serving as Interim Science Director since September 2023.  Prior to that, in her role as Science Manager for Environmental and Earth Sciences, Chithra led and grew the CLS plant imaging and innovation research program and promoted the innovative use of synchrotron techniques for agricultural and food sciences research. 

In her current role, Chithra oversees the efficient operation of the Science Division, and ensures CLS experimental facilities and scientific programs remain competitive with other third-generation synchrotrons. Chithra also supports the Chief Science Officer in the creation of a science strategy and in enabling the Canadian scientific community to do outstanding research using high-brilliance synchrotron radiation.

Chithra completed her Masters and PhD in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Manitoba. In 2016 she became a Chartered Professional Manager (C.Mgr.) and in 2021 obtained her MBA from the University of London. Currently, she is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Manitoba.

Mehmet Tulbek
CEO/President, SFIDC

Dr. Mehmet Tulbek is the President of the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, where he leads the organization’s strategy, planning, and operations under the direction of the Board of Directors. With over 25 years of global experience in research, technology, and innovation across pulses, cereals, oilseeds, and plant-based foods, Dr. Tulbek is recognized as a leader in advancing agri-food research and development. He holds a B.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering (Food Science and Technology) from Ankara University, an M.Sc. in Food Engineering from Istanbul Technical University, and a Ph.D. in Cereal Science from North Dakota State University. Before joining the Food Centre, Dr. Tulbek served as Director of Research and Development at AGT Food and Ingredients and as Technical Director at the Northern Crops Institute, where he delivered international training programs on pulse protein manufacturing, market development, and product innovation. An inventor and author, Dr. Tulbek has contributed to scientific journals, book chapters, and patents, and is a frequent presenter at global conferences. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan, as Board Member of the Canadian Food Innovation Network, and as an Adjunct Professor at the Universities of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.