BioNext Team Members

Sarah Brooks

Associate Director, New Ventures

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 82434
Email: sarah.brooks@uwo.ca

• Manages BioNext, Western's medical innovation incubator, specializing in the advancement of Life Science and IT technologies.
• Oversees commercialization training and programming offered by the technology transfer office.
• Brings over 20 years of technology commercialization experience across the US, UK, and Canada, having worked at every stage of the company lifecycle — from venture-backed startups to successful exits.

Tom Chmiel

Biomedical Fabrication Specialist

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 20845
Email: tom.chmiel@uwo.ca

• Collaborates with Western researchers and external partners to design and develop medical devices in alignment with Health Canada, FDA and ISO standards
• Delivers technical and manufacturing support for prototype fabrication and iteration
• Oversees facility operation

Barbara Murray

Clinical Research Manager

Telephone: 519-661-2111, ext. 89037
Email: barbara.murray@uwo.ca

• Supports Western researchers and external partners in navigating early-stage clinical trial pathways, including regulatory strategy, study design, and Health Canada/FDA requirements
• Connects investigators, clinicians, and industry partners with the right expertise, resources, and infrastructure for early-stage MedTech development and clinical validation
• Guides start-ups and collaborators through Western’s MedTech innovation ecosystem to advance translational research and commercialization

Sydney Wilson

Communications and Program Assistant

Email: swils226@uwo.ca

• Develops and manages BioNext's communications across social media, email campaigns, and the web
• Supports the planning and promotion of BioNext events, coordinating logistics and outreach to connect students, researchers, founders, and the broader life-sciences community

Mentors and Advisors

Colin Macaulay

Business Development Manager

Technology Transfer Office, Western University

Email: cmacaul3@uwo.ca

Colin guides life-science entrepreneurs through IP strategy and market analysis to help translate research ideas into viable business models.

Deniz Edwards

Director, Internal

Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, Ivey Business School, Western University

Email: dedwards@ivey.ca

Deniz leverages her experience launching an FDA-approved medical device to help founders navigate the technical and business complexities of their entrepreneurial journey.

Martin Smith

Venture Growth Advisor

TechAlliance

Email: marty.smith@techalliance.ca

Marty supports company growth through market research, design thinking, and funding strategy, drawing on his extensive experience building several life sciences startups.