CASI / IASC - CASI 2026 Guest Speakers

Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute

Institut aéronautique et spatial du Canada

CASI 2026 Conference Co-Chairs

Dr. Philip Ferguson | University of Manitoba

Dr. Ferguson holds the NSERC / Canadian Space Agency / Magellan Aerospace Industrial Research Chair in Satellite Engineering at the University of Manitoba. His research focuses on new spacecraft guidance, navigation and control technologies that can improve satellite reliability while simultaneously reducing the cost and design cycle times, thereby improving the accessibility of space.

Phil Ferguson is an Associate Member of the Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS) at the University of Manitoba, where he collaborates to explore how space and drone technologies can support Indigenous and Inuit communities in Canada’s Arctic.

Dr. Jeremy Wang | Ribbit

Dr. Jeremy Wang is an aerospace engineer and entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in uncrewed and autonomous systems for advanced air mobility. Jeremy currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Ribbit, which he co-founded in 2020. Ribbit builds and operates dual-use self-flying airplanes with a focus on connecting remote and contested regions. Ribbit is a contractor of record to multiple public safety, defence, research, and transportation agencies, and has additionally partnered with wholesalers, Indigenous communities, and humanitarian groups who spend $73M annually on air freight. In 2023, Ribbit performed Canada’s first automated gate-to-gate flight—now a routine occurrence at select airports.

Guest Speakers

	Dr. Tyrone Woods \| University of Manitoba Dr. Tyrone Woods is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba. He is Co-lead and Mission Scientist for the Cosmological Advanced Survey Telescope for Optical and UV Research (CASTOR), a proposed flagship Canadian space telescope planned for launch in 2032. Dr. Woods studies the physics of some of the most energetic events and objects in the Universe, by combining theoretical simulations with observations across the electromagnetic spectrum. Before returning to Canada as a Plaskett Fellow at the National Research Council of Canada in Victoria, BC, he completed his PhD at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Munich, Germany, and held research fellowships in Australia and the UK.
	Lieutenant-Colonel David Dunwoody \| National Defence Lieutenant-Colonel David Dunwoody joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1991 as a reservist and Aircraft Instrument Electrician with 402 Squadron. In 1998, he transferred into the regular force as an Air Navigator. He flew on the CP-140 Aurora and was an instructor at 1 Canadian Forces Flying Training School and at the RCAF Barker College. In 2022, LCol Dunwoody was assigned as the Senior Aide-de-Camp to the Governor General of Canada. 2023, he was promoted to his current rank. He is the operational requirements manager for NORTHWATCH-AIR, Canada’s augmentation to the North Warning System.
	Dr. Andrea Charron \| University of Manitoba Andrea Charron is Director of the Centre for Defence and Security Studies, and Professor of International Relations at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. She holds a PhD from the Royal Military College of Canada (Department of War Studies). Dr. Charron worked for various federal departments including the Canadian Privy Council Office in the Security and Intelligence Secretariat before beginning her academic career. She writes extensively on Arctic security, NATO, NORAD and Canadian defence policy.
	Dr. Mouhab Meshreki \| National Research Council of Canada Mouhab Meshreki is the Director General of the Aerospace Research Centre at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), as well as an adjunct professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at McGill University. Prior to assuming his current role, he served as the Director of the NRC’s Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Centre.
	Dr. Heather Smart \| National Research Council of Canada Heather Smart is the Director of R&D at the Advanced and Digital Manufacturing Centre at the NRC in Winnipeg, MB. After working 15 years as an engineer in aerospace and manufacturing, Heather pursued graduate studies and earned a Master of Science in Metallurgy. She has since taken on roles of increasing leadership and developed expertise in Advanced Manufacturing. Heather is an advocate of Women in STEM and also volunteers her time supporting multiple non-profit organizations.
	Derek “Duff” Gowanlock \| National Research Council of Canada Mr. Gowanlock’s technical work at the National Research Council has focused on advancing vertical lift autonomy, leading a highly skilled team of researchers and engineers with one of the largest initiatives within the Aerospace Research Centre. This work involves developing and demonstrating advanced autonomy in full-scale helicopters, with particular emphasis on human-autonomy and autonomy-autonomy teaming.
	Christian Lange \| Canadian Space Agency Dr. Christian Lange is the Chief Scientist and Acting Director General of the Space Science and Technology Directorate. In this role, he leads the Agency's efforts to define collaborative space research and development initiatives and to identify science and technology priorities. He also provides leadership for the Canadian Space Agency's (CSA) capacity-building mandate through the Space Capacity Development Program and the Canada-ESA Cooperation Agreement.
	Pervez Canteenwalla \| National Research Council of Canada Pervez Canteenwalla is the Program Director for the Low-emission Aviation Program (LEAP) at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). Previously, he was researcher in the propulsion lab at the NRC. His main research focus has been on performing engine qualification testing for alternative fuels, both for gas turbines and piston engines, and eventually hybrid electric propulsion systems. He holds a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Carleton University.
	Diane Kotelko \| Magellan Aerospace (Ret'd) Diane retired from Magellan after 38 years in 2024. Never one to sit still, she is supporting Transport Canada with the development of regulations for Commercial Space Launch on a part-time basis.
	BGen. Christopher J. Horner \| Department of National Defence BGen Horner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics and Political Science, a Master of Arts in Defence Management and a Master of Science in Leadership. He is a graduate of the Canadian Forces College Joint Command and Staff Program and the United States Air Force Air War College.
	BGen. David Turenne \| Canadian Armed Forces BGen. Turenne joined the Canadian Armed Forces in December 1996. He received his pilot wings in 1999 and went on to fly the CF-18 conducting Op NOBLE EAGLE and Northern Sovereignty Operation missions. He has deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan to work in the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) Combined Joint Operations Centre, and to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar as the Director of the 609th Combined Air Operations Center.

Call or Email Us:

Phone: +1 (613) 591-8787

Fax: +1 (613) 591-7291

Email: casi@casi.ca

CASI Headquarters:

350 Terry Fox Dr. | Suite 104 Kanata, ON | K2K 2W5

	Dr. Tyrone Woods \| University of Manitoba Dr. Tyrone Woods is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba. He is Co-lead and Mission Scientist for the Cosmological Advanced Survey Telescope for Optical and UV Research (CASTOR), a proposed flagship Canadian space telescope planned for launch in 2032. Dr. Woods studies the physics of some of the most energetic events and objects in the Universe, by combining theoretical simulations with observations across the electromagnetic spectrum. Before returning to Canada as a Plaskett Fellow at the National Research Council of Canada in Victoria, BC, he completed his PhD at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Munich, Germany, and held research fellowships in Australia and the UK.
	Lieutenant-Colonel David Dunwoody \| National Defence Lieutenant-Colonel David Dunwoody joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1991 as a reservist and Aircraft Instrument Electrician with 402 Squadron. In 1998, he transferred into the regular force as an Air Navigator. He flew on the CP-140 Aurora and was an instructor at 1 Canadian Forces Flying Training School and at the RCAF Barker College. In 2022, LCol Dunwoody was assigned as the Senior Aide-de-Camp to the Governor General of Canada. 2023, he was promoted to his current rank. He is the operational requirements manager for NORTHWATCH-AIR, Canada’s augmentation to the North Warning System.
	Dr. Andrea Charron \| University of Manitoba Andrea Charron is Director of the Centre for Defence and Security Studies, and Professor of International Relations at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. She holds a PhD from the Royal Military College of Canada (Department of War Studies). Dr. Charron worked for various federal departments including the Canadian Privy Council Office in the Security and Intelligence Secretariat before beginning her academic career. She writes extensively on Arctic security, NATO, NORAD and Canadian defence policy.
	Dr. Mouhab Meshreki \| National Research Council of Canada Mouhab Meshreki is the Director General of the Aerospace Research Centre at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), as well as an adjunct professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at McGill University. Prior to assuming his current role, he served as the Director of the NRC’s Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Centre.
	Dr. Heather Smart \| National Research Council of Canada Heather Smart is the Director of R&D at the Advanced and Digital Manufacturing Centre at the NRC in Winnipeg, MB. After working 15 years as an engineer in aerospace and manufacturing, Heather pursued graduate studies and earned a Master of Science in Metallurgy. She has since taken on roles of increasing leadership and developed expertise in Advanced Manufacturing. Heather is an advocate of Women in STEM and also volunteers her time supporting multiple non-profit organizations.
	Derek “Duff” Gowanlock \| National Research Council of Canada Mr. Gowanlock’s technical work at the National Research Council has focused on advancing vertical lift autonomy, leading a highly skilled team of researchers and engineers with one of the largest initiatives within the Aerospace Research Centre. This work involves developing and demonstrating advanced autonomy in full-scale helicopters, with particular emphasis on human-autonomy and autonomy-autonomy teaming.
	Christian Lange \| Canadian Space Agency Dr. Christian Lange is the Chief Scientist and Acting Director General of the Space Science and Technology Directorate. In this role, he leads the Agency's efforts to define collaborative space research and development initiatives and to identify science and technology priorities. He also provides leadership for the Canadian Space Agency's (CSA) capacity-building mandate through the Space Capacity Development Program and the Canada-ESA Cooperation Agreement.
	Pervez Canteenwalla \| National Research Council of Canada Pervez Canteenwalla is the Program Director for the Low-emission Aviation Program (LEAP) at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). Previously, he was researcher in the propulsion lab at the NRC. His main research focus has been on performing engine qualification testing for alternative fuels, both for gas turbines and piston engines, and eventually hybrid electric propulsion systems. He holds a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Carleton University.
	Diane Kotelko \| Magellan Aerospace (Ret'd) Diane retired from Magellan after 38 years in 2024. Never one to sit still, she is supporting Transport Canada with the development of regulations for Commercial Space Launch on a part-time basis.
	BGen. Christopher J. Horner \| Department of National Defence BGen Horner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics and Political Science, a Master of Arts in Defence Management and a Master of Science in Leadership. He is a graduate of the Canadian Forces College Joint Command and Staff Program and the United States Air Force Air War College.
	BGen. David Turenne \| Canadian Armed Forces BGen. Turenne joined the Canadian Armed Forces in December 1996. He received his pilot wings in 1999 and went on to fly the CF-18 conducting Op NOBLE EAGLE and Northern Sovereignty Operation missions. He has deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan to work in the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) Combined Joint Operations Centre, and to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar as the Director of the 609th Combined Air Operations Center.