PEng, Memorial University, currently completing MA, International Development, SMU

Paul is an entrepreneur with over 22 years of experience building and scaling renewable energy companies. He was founder and president of One Wind Services, one of North America’s leading wind, solar, storage and EV infrastructure service providers. He also co-founded several renewable energy asset ownership companies and was integral in financing, constructing, and operating over $100 million in renewable energy projects.

Outside of work, Paul can be found playing guitar in his band, or spending time with his family at the cottage. He loves his work at Rayleigh, but is always on the lookout for opportunities to make it big with his band.

MSc Solar Energy Engineering, TU Delft & PhD Physics, Dalhousie University

Sam founded Rayleigh Solar Tech in 2016, building on work from his PhD research. He has been working with perovskite solar cell materials and fabrication techniques for more than six years. Sam also has over 10 years of experience in the solar industry and has worked on solar projects around the world. 

Outside of work, Sam can be found hiking, foraging, or riding his electric bike. He is rarely seen without his wool sweater (pictured above).

PEng, MSc Mechanical Engineering, Dalhousie University

Dane has been with Rayleigh since the beginning. He is a professional engineer with a diverse background in education, renewable energy project management and building energy management. Previously, Dane worked with the Applied Energy Lab at NSCC as a project lead doing product development research for industry partners.

Outside of work, Dane can be found playing music at the farmers’ market, teaching capoeira, and spending time with his children. He frequently treats his colleagues to tap dancing demonstrations.

PEng, MSc Aerospace Engineering, TU Delft

Marshall is an engineer with several years of experience in designing and building electric vehicles. He holds a MSc in aerospace engineering from TU Delft, and a BASc in mechanical engineering from Queen’s University. He has a passion for renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace.

Outside of work, he can be found skiing, rock climbing, playing volleyball, or riding his motorcycle. Marshall is always ready to defend his opinions on where to get the best pizza.

BSc. Chemical Physics, University of Guelph, MSc. Applied Physics, Dalhousie University

Eric holds a MSc in applied physics from Dalhousie University. Before attending Dal, he completed his BSc in chemical physics at the University of Guelph. Eric has a wide range of experience in material and solar device science with a focus on characterization of electronic and structural properties of perovskite and organic solar cells.

Outside of work, he can be found camping, fishing, or playing sports. When someone brings baked goods to share with the office, Eric ensures none of it goes to waste.

MSc Chemical Engineering and MSc Material Science, École nationale supérieure de chimie de Rennes, PhD Chemistry, University of Nantes.

Marine is an experienced chemist who is passionate about clean technology. She holds a PhD in chemistry from the University of Nantes in her home country of France. Before joining Rayleigh, Marine spent three and a half years doing research and development work at Salient Energy. She has also spent time working as a scientist in Qatar.

Outside of work, Marine can be found spending time with her young son, enjoying the outdoors, or baking something delicious. She also enjoys woodworking and likes to share that skill with others.

MSc Cochin University, PhD Dalhousie University

Ajan is an expert in optics, which he studied while completing his PhD. He then went on to do work on laser scribed perovskite solar modules as a postdoctoral researcher at Dalhousie university. Ajan also holds a MSc from Cochin University in India.

Outside of work he can be found practicing judo, working with computers, or spending time with his cat. Ajan can often be seen wearing mittens no matter the weather.  

BSc Saint Mary’s University, BEng Dalhousie University.

Seamus holds two bachelors degrees: a BSc in Computing Science from Saint Mary’s University, and a BEng in Electrical Engineering from Dalhousie University. While completing his engineering degree, he participated in the co-op program. He completed his first co-op term at Innovasea, and his remaining terms were here at Rayleigh. The team was happy to welcome him back full-time when he finished his degree.

Outside of work, he can be found coaching baseball, playing hockey, snowboarding, or spending time with his dog. Despite not being very competitive, Seamus always seems to win any competitions going on in the office.

BSc Saint Mary’s University, BEng Dalhousie University.

Kiera majored in mechanical engineering while studying at Dalhousie. She also participated in the co-op program, and gained experience working at The Government of Nova Scotia, and at the Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment at Cape Breton University. Her third co-op term was right here at Rayleigh. The team was very keen to welcome her back full-time when she finished her degree.

Outside of work, Kiera does not let her cat allergy get in the way of spending time with her cat Jiang You (Chinese for Soy Sauce).  She also loves food…especially food that she didn’t have to cook herself.

BSc, MSC IISER Thiruvananthapuram (India)

Originally from India, Reddy embarked on his academic journey culminating in a B.S-M.S degree with Physics (Major) and Chemistry (Minor) from IISER Thiruvananthapuram, India. Upon completing his studies, he worked as a project manager where he oversaw three simultaneous research projects that were dedicated to advancing perovskite single crystals for solar cell and X-ray scintillator applications. Subsequently, Reddy ventured to Italy, where he became an integral part of the research community within the prestigious Marie Curie program (MAESTRO) at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. While in Rome, his research focused on developing perovskite solar cells via industrially manufacturable techniques.

Outside of work, Reddy can be found travelling, trying new foods, playing sports or working on DIY projects.

BEng Abdelmalek Essaadi University, MSc Al Akhawayn University. PhD Abdelmalek Essaadi University.

Salma is working with Rayleigh as a post-doctoral researcher in collaboration with Simon Fraser University. Originally from Morocco, Salma discovered the world of perovskite while completing an internship at Fraunhofer as part of her master’s degree in sustainable energy management. She went on to complete her PhD, focusing on assessment and reduction of performance losses in carbon electrode-based perovskite solar cells. While completing her education, she worked in several research assistant roles including at Fraunhofer and at IPCMS in France.  

Outside of work, Salma can be found exploring her city by bike, working on a knitting project, or reading manga. In the great Rayleigh dogs vs. cats debate, Salma is proudly on team cat.

BSc Physics, Peking University, Beijing, China & PhD Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto

Ziru has been doing research in the field of perovskites since he was an undergraduate student. Part of his undergraduate work included developing a technique to control real time carrier transport in perovskite diodes using surface dipoles. His PhD work focused on materials and device engineering for stable perovskite solar cells. Ziru has conducted extensive research in the realm of perovskites and has co-authored 16 peer reviewed papers.

Outside of work, Ziru enjoys cycling around as long as there is no snow on the road. When his colleagues are debating over the thermostat, he generally takes the side of whomever wants it warmer.

 BBA, Acadia University

Brogan majored in entrepreneurship at Acadia University. He participated in the co-op program as part of his BBA. Brogan completed work terms at the Acadia Student Union, the Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre, and PBJ design, where he helped develop and implement placemaking projects around Nova Scotia. After completing his degree, he worked in marketing at Blomidon Nurseries.

Outside of work, Brogan can be found camping, backpacking, canoeing, or working on his jeep. He prides himself on being full of potentially useless (or useful!) information.

BEng, UFSC Santa Catarina (Brazil)

Rodrigo is an engineer from Brazil. He completed his degree at UFSC Santa Catarina before working as an electrical engineer on a project that aimed to develop a radio communication link between meteorological stations in Brazil.  After moving to Canada, he spent eight years working for Blue Ocean where he began as a frontline agent, then worked his way up to manager of Latin America operations, supporting daily operations for clients.  

Outside of work, Rodrigo can be found playing tabletop RPG games, doing archery, playing sports, or re-reading Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. Despite being a sport lover from Brazil, he does not play soccer!

BSc, MSc, PhD Dalhousie University

Charlotte recently completed her PhD in Physics. Her thesis research focused on redox flow batteries. She has also gained valuable experience working with perovskite solar cells while earning her MSc. Charlotte worked at Rayleigh part-time while finishing her degree, and we are pleased to now have her full-time. 

Outside of work, Charlotte can be found cooking, playing board games, learning to knit, or spending time with her cat. She is also the most hydrated person on the team, as she is rarely seen without her giant water bottle. 

BEng, Memorial University

Sam completed her degree in process engineering at MUN. While studying, she completed co-op terms at Cenovus Energy. She has also done quality testing at Irving Tissue, worked on organic LEDs at Avalon Holographics, and worked as a research assistant at Solid State Pharma. Sam has also been heavily involved in engineering outreach projects. She is currently an active member of the North American RoboGals team, which works to get young girls and gender diverse individuals interested in STEM.

Outside of work, Sam can be found hiking, camping, or at home with a good book. She is working hard to move up the ranks in Rayleigh’s ongoing push-up competition and will steal the champion title from Alex very soon.

Jim Spatz is the Executive Chair of Southwest Properties Limited. He is a dedicated business leader and philanthropist and spent 13 years as a medical doctor. Jim serves on the Advisory Board for the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee and is a Life Director of Neptune Theatre. He was on the Board of Governors for Dalhousie University from 2001 to 2015, serving as Chair from 2008 to 2014, and continues as a member of the Dalhousie Advisory Council. In early 2021 Jim agreed to chair the fundraising campaign for the new home of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on the Halifax waterfront, which is projected to open in 2025.

Karl Smith was a long-time executive with Utility Holding Company, Fortis Inc. Positions held included CEO of Newfoundland Power, and CEO of Fortis Alberta. He is now retired as CFO of Fortis Inc. Mr. Smith’s volunteer and board experience includes: past Chair of Canadian Electricity Association, past Chair of Atlantic provinces Economic Council, past Chair of Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta, past Chair of Junior Achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador, past Chair Board of Governors Mount Royal University.

He currently serves on the Boards of Junior Achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador, Young Adult Cancer Canada, Team Broken Earth and Genesis Centre. He is Chair of the Advisory Board to the Faculty of Business at Memorial University of Newfoundland and is co-Chair of the 2025 Canada Games Host Society.