Your complete R&D department for hire

Nick Allan, MSc., has over 20 years of experience in regulatory affairs and product innovation within the field of microbiology. Throughout his career, Nick has delivered innovative solutions to client challenges, ranging from proof-of-concept studies for anti-infective candidates to comprehensive regulatory submission studies. He played a crucial role in the development of ASTM E2799-11, which is the first protocol approved by ASTM that combines biofilm growth and disinfectant testing, validated through a multi-laboratory collaborative study. As the President and Founder of Chinook Contract Research Inc. and Centaur Science Inc., Nick is also the Bio Services functional manager at StarFish Medical, Canada’s largest medical device engineering consultancy, where he continues to advance scientific research in the microbiology sector.

Dr. Joseph (Joe) Ross holds a B.M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Western Ontario. With over 25 peer-reviewed publications to his name, he has gained extensive experience through postdoctoral fellowships at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the University of Southern Denmark, and the University of Lethbridge. His major areas of expertise encompass microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and mammalian cell biology. As a Senior Scientist at Chinook Contract Research and currently serving as Research Director at Centaur Science, Joe has been instrumental in product innovation, designing and executing studies for product registration, antimicrobial and antiviral efficacy studies, rapid diagnostics testing systems, and antimicrobial resistance surveillance studies in southern Alberta. Additionally, Joe is a key contributor to ASTM E3435-25, a standard practice for evaluating anti-biofilm efficacy on medical device surfaces, highlighting his commitment to advancing scientific research in the field.

Ann Hammad, MSc., is an environmental microbiologist and microbial ecologist with over 10 years of experience in scientific research and 3 years in GMP and regulatory environments. She earned her B.Sc. in Biopharmaceutical Sciences, focusing on genomics, from the University of Ottawa. Ann's passion for microbiology blossomed while collaborating on various projects with Environment Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency after graduation, inspiring her to complete an M.Sc. in Microbiology & Molecular Biology from the University of Alberta. In her current role, Ann contributes to product innovation by helping to develop advanced solutions like a rapid microbial detection test.