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. Ibrahim Yimer \| National Research Council of Canada Dr. Ibrahim Yimer is currently Vice President of the Division of Transportation and Manufacturing at the National Research Council of Canada - Canada’s largest federal research and development organization with over 2000 scientists and engineers, advancing innovation in life sciences, engineering, transportation and emerging technologies. For the past 15 years, Dr. Yimer has held positions of increasing responsibility at the NRC, including Director General of the Aerospace Research Center and Director of the Gas Turbine Laboratory.
	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. Karen Stoeffler \| National Research Council of Canada Karen Stoeffler is the Director of R&D at the Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Centre (AMTC) of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). She leads a multidisciplinary team of 60 scientists, engineers, and technicians who develop advanced solutions in composites and metal manufacturing, integrating automation, robotics, and digital technologies to enhance productivity and competitiveness in aerospace manufacturing. The AMTC works directly with Canadian aerospace manufacturers — from innovative SMEs to major OEMs — providing applied research and technology solutions that help accelerate industrial innovation and strengthen the aerospace value chain.
	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.
	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.

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. Ibrahim Yimer \| National Research Council of Canada Dr. Ibrahim Yimer is currently Vice President of the Division of Transportation and Manufacturing at the National Research Council of Canada - Canada’s largest federal research and development organization with over 2000 scientists and engineers, advancing innovation in life sciences, engineering, transportation and emerging technologies. For the past 15 years, Dr. Yimer has held positions of increasing responsibility at the NRC, including Director General of the Aerospace Research Center and Director of the Gas Turbine Laboratory.
	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. Karen Stoeffler \| National Research Council of Canada Karen Stoeffler is the Director of R&D at the Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Centre (AMTC) of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). She leads a multidisciplinary team of 60 scientists, engineers, and technicians who develop advanced solutions in composites and metal manufacturing, integrating automation, robotics, and digital technologies to enhance productivity and competitiveness in aerospace manufacturing. The AMTC works directly with Canadian aerospace manufacturers — from innovative SMEs to major OEMs — providing applied research and technology solutions that help accelerate industrial innovation and strengthen the aerospace value chain.
	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.
	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.