Management Team
Put a face to our executive leadership members

Ratmir Derda
Founder & CEO
Dr. Derda is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Alberta. He is the author of over 45 peer-reviewed publications and is the inventor on 10 patent applications (three issued patents). He is also an advisory board member of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry Journal, and recipient of several awards including the David Gin New Investigator Award from the American Chemical Society (2017), Martha Cook Piper Research Prize from the University of Alberta (2017), Rising Star in Chemical Biology award from International Chemical Biology Society (2015), Young Investigator Award from Boulder Peptide Society (2014) and the Gold Medal at the XXIX International Chemistry Olympiad (1997).

Jessica (Yun) Cao
VP of Data Science and Information Technology
Dr. Cao completed her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Alberta. Shortly thereafter, she joined the Derda Research Group in August 2017 as a computing research assistant. Jessica’s research in the Derda lab focused on database design, management, web application development, data visualisation and analysis. She transitioned to 48Hour Discovery in April 2018 as Lead Data Scientist, where she focused on the implementation of data science and machine learning in our data analysis pipeline. She also was responsible for leading the development of web application and database. Dr. Cao has nearly 8 years experience of algorithm development, software development and database management. She also has extensive experience with Data Science.
- Email:jcao@48hourdiscovery.com

David Alton
VP of Finance & Business Development
David Alton holds an MBA from the University of Alberta. David’s career has spanned the public and private sectors. He was a senior manager in the Federal Government before moving to the University of Alberta holding Director positions with the National Institute for Nanotechnology and the Alberta Cancer Diagnostic Consortium. David has in depth experience in starting, operating and financing new technology companies. He is a co-founder of four spin-off biomedical companies from the University of Alberta.

Martin Truksa
VP of Research and Development
Martin has a PhD in molecular biology and a MBA specialized in technology commercialization, combined with more than 25 years of experience in academic and industrial labs, as well as in government.
He worked as a scientist with the National Research Council, Bioriginal Food & Science Corp. and the University of Alberta. Before joining 48Hour Discovery, he was a senior manager with the Government of Alberta working in the area of emerging technologies, creating an environment and programs that help technology ventures to succeed.
Our Team

Ayodeji Odunewu-Aderibigbe
Scientist

Brian Taylor
Operations Manager

Joseph Cheramy
Chemist

Darren Martin
Scientist

Landon Zarowny
Scientist

Lingxaio Zhang
Scientist

Manjot Kaur
Scientist

Peter Waters
Full Stack Developer

Wenrui Huang
Data Scientist

Zoe O'Gara
PROJECT INTEGRATION SPECIALIST