Meet the University of Calgary Team
The development of sustainable and affordable bioflocculants for Alberta Agricultural operators is a project led by a team of chemists at the University of Calgary, which began in July of 2023. Keep checking back on this page for updates as our team of research collaborators grows with the continued expansion of the project beyond the field of chemistry!
Todd Sutherland, PhD
Project Supervisor
Todd is a professor of chemistry at UCalgary, whose research focuses on the development of sustainable organic materials for a variety of applications, including batteries, photovoltaics and sensors. His research combines synthetic organic chemistry with applied materials science to address challenges in energy, environment, and sustainability. Having grown up in rural British Columbia, Todd is excited to contribute his expertise and innovative spirit to the field of agricultural chemistry.
Chemist and Agricultural Liaison
Anna Niedzwiecka, PhD
Anna is a recent graduate from the University of Calgary, and is very interested in developing sustainable organic chemistry, working to develop innovative solutions to global challenges. Her previous research included the development of novel carbohydrate-based antibiotics to combat drug-resistant bacteria, and more recently green chemistry applications in agricultural processes. Anna is committed to making the field of chemistry greener and more accessible, believing in the potential to transform industries with sustainable practices. She lived on a small organic farm in Coastal BC for several years, where she learned all about the value of manure towards fertilization, and is looking forward to combining her love of chemistry, nature and farming in her work on this project.
Glynnis Jensen, MSc
Chemist
Glynnis holds a Master’s degree from the University of Calgary, where she specialized in developing water-soluble sensors for detecting fluoride. After gaining valuable experience in the pharmaceutical industry, where she worked on synthesizing novel compounds for the treatment of mental health conditions, she joined the BioFloc team. Glynnis is interested in creating sustainable chemical protocols and is now focused on applying her expertise towards the growth of the agriculture sector in Alberta.
Chang-Chun Ling, PhD
Advisor
Dr. Ling's research focuses on carbohydrate chemistry, particularly its applications in developing vaccines and therapeutics for cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders. His work includes designing antigenic oligosaccharides related to bacterial glycans for potential use as conjugate vaccines and synthesizing inhibitors treat multiple sclerosis. He is highly interested in developing novel chemistries for agriculture-based materials and exploring their applications in drug delivery as well as novel environment-friendly materials. His experience and expertise to bridge synthetic organic chemistries and natural product chemistry is an asset to the project.
Summer Student Researchers
Loren Pabico
Undergraduate Researcher
Loren is a third-year undergraduate chemistry student at the University of Calgary who will be working with the team during the summer of 2025. She is passionate about green chemistry and its potential to create sustainable solutions in both agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry. Having grown up on a farm in the Philippines and later moving to Canada, Loren brings a unique perspective to sustainable innovation. She aspires to design greener solutions for drug formulation and delivery, with the goal of advancing human health while protecting the environment.
Emma Gravel
Undergraduate Researcher
Emma is a third-year undergraduate chemistry student at the University of Calgary. She is interested in learning more about green chemistry in the hopes of maintaining a more sustainable future. Growing up in rural Alberta she has grown up understanding the importance of the agricultural sector. Emma also worked previously in wastewater treatment which gave her exposure to industrial flocculants and an appreciation for looking towards a more sustainable substitute. With her prior experience she is excited to work towards creating a more sustainable product for Alberta’s agricultural sector.
Joseph Rood
Undergraduate Researcher
Joseph is a biochemistry student at the University of Calgary. With strong interests in organic chemistry and life sciences, he is working towards a career in biotechnology. Joseph has a background working in water remediation, where he was exposed to the urgent need for developing sustainable alternatives to environmentally harmful practices. Having grown up in the rural County of Lethbridge, Joseph understands the importance of sustainable farming and is excited to apply his passion for green chemistry towards agricultural challenges.
