People
David Duke
David Duke is an Associate Professor in the Department of History and Classics and as Coordinator of the university’s recently-established Environmental and Sustainability Studies program. His academic areas of expertise are the history of Russia and the USSR, the history of science, and environmental history, and he teaches in all these areas.
Dr Daniel Silver
Dr. Daniel L. Silver is the Director of the Acadia Institute for Data Analytics . He is also a Professor in and currently the Acting-Director of the Jodrey School of Computer Science at Acadia University. His areas of research and application are machine learning, data mining, and data analytics. His expertise is in Lifelong Machine Learning and Transfer Learning. He has published over 65 scientific papers and has co-chaired or been part of program committees for a number of national and international conferences, seminars and workshops on data mining and machine learning. He was the President of the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Association (CAIAC) from 2009-11. In 2011, he received the Science Champion Award from the Nova Scotia Discovery Center for his work on youth robotics and the advancement of STEM education. In December, 2014, he became an Honorary Colonel in the RCAF attached to 14 Wing Software Engineering Squadron, in Greenwood, NS. In June of 2016, was awarded Canadian AI’s Distinguished Service Award. Danny has over 30 years of experience in information technology, project management and business administration. Since 1993, he has worked on machine learning and data mining projects in the private and public sector providing situation analysis and problem definition, project management and guidance, and data mining services.
Dr Darcy Benoit
Dr. Darcy Benoit is a Professor in and the Director of the Jodrey School of Computer Science at Acadia University. His areas of research include mobile application development, database management systems, and computer science education. An avid supporter educational outreach, Darcy oversees the Acadia Robotics program, a province-wide outreach program that sees approximately 400 students from grades 9-18 compete in two international robot programming competitions. His outreach work resulted in him collaborating with the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development on the implementation of computer programming in the public school system from grades 7-12. Dr. Benoit is also involved in faculty development research, and is an avid promoter of teaching development, particularly as it pertains to teaching computer science.
Dr Randy Newman
Dr. Newman is a Cognitive Neuroscientist whose primary research interest is in understanding the brain mechanisms responsible for reading and speech processes using event-related potentials and eye tracking techniques. Current research is examining the impact of a word’s spelling on how quickly we recognize spoken words.
A secondary area of interest is in understanding factors responsible for the gender gap that persists in some areas of science, notably computer science and engineering. Current research is examining the impact of girls only science-based activities (e.g., camps) on girls’ career aspirations in science, as well as on their self-efficacy and their sense of belonging in science-based disciplines.
Elizabeth Garrett
“Just like becoming an expert in wine - you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford - you learn great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. Then you savor it, analyze it, discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences” - Julia Child, Mastering the Art of French Cooking
Emily Konrath
Emily is a small business enthusiast with a passion for homegrown talent. Emily was born and raised in Wolfville, studied her Bachelor of Commerce degree at Saint Mary’s University and obtained her Masters in International Business from Jönköping, Sweden. Emily has lived and studied in cities across Canada and abroad in Germany and Sweden.
Emily is an Economic Development Officer with the Valley Regional Enterprise Network, a municipal corporation that works as a catalyst for regional economic development in the Annapolis Valley. Emily is tasked with sector development of five core sectors that present key opportunities for growth and investment attraction (Agriculture; Information, Communications and Technologies (ICT); Manufacturing, Sustainable Energy; and Tourism). Previously, Emily worked as an International Trade Consultant working with firms interested in exporting to international markets where she travelled across Europe, South America, and the Caribbean matching businesses to international opportunities.
Frances Schagen
Frances is a small business innovator. She geeks out over business strategy, business models and building entrepreneurial ecosystems. She believe that’s the kind of thinking we need to save the world. Frances helps create places where entrepreneurship can thrive within our business and within our community.
Business innovation is essential for us to solve our biggest issues and to succeed in the world today. Business theory was developed for large business and small business is not a little big business. Frances has been on this quest for decades, talking to 1000’s of business owners and reading 1000’s of books.
Gary Morton
Gary is a business development consultant/coach that for over 30 years has worked with farms, business and organization clients to find and develop new value added ideas, profit and success from what they do. This includes product development, commercialization, business planning, market development (domestic and export), product launch, training programs and managing business growth around new products and services.
Genevieve Allen Hearn
Genevieve is an arts administrator, specializing in organizing cultural events and festivals. Currently, Genevieve is working for the Atlantic Public Arts Funders, organizing an Indigenous Arts Symposium for Atlantic Canada. She is part-owner and Operations Manager of The Grapevine, the Annapolis Valley’s bi-weekly arts and culture publication. Her volunteer work includes serving on the board of Uncommon Common Art, the Kentville Art Gallery Society, and the Youth Engagement Working Group for the Municipality of the County of Kings. While completing her Masters in Art-Based Community Development, Genevieve was the project manager for the Kings County Cultural Map. She spends every free minute raising the coolest toddler in town.
Geoff Crouse
Geoff has more than 17 years of combined Software Engineering and Information Technology Consulting experience.
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Technical Sales Engineer, specializing in medium to large scale Drupal CMS projects including new development, site audits and analysis, and expert support services.
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Account Management, coordinating customer projects with engineering and support teams from initial conception to final delivery, and continued support.
Geoff’s profile picture was created by a robot inspired by Peggy’s Cove. Peggy’s Cove pic care of Wikipedia.