Feb 28, 2025
AI and ML to Advance Synthetic Biology, seminar by John McDougall
A problem like excess greenhouse gases can be solved by “enhancing mother nature”. Biological processes with higher productivity and smaller footprints become possible with synthetic biology. However, the time, cost and risk of laboratory-based trial and error approaches are major hurdles. In 2023 “Nature” stated, “genetic engineering and accelerated evolution — with AI to speed the effort will likely be the most effective way forward.” Learn how SynBioBlox is applying AI and ML to support data annotation, data analytics, modelling and prediction to design effective and efficient biological organisms.
Dr. John McDougall is President and CEO of SynBioBlox, Chair of McDougall & Secord, Limited and a director of several for profit and not for profit enterprises. Honoured as one of Alberta’s 50 most influential citizens, John's career spans the globe across many sectors, with a far-reaching range of accomplishments and roles related to technology, innovation and business recognized by awards, medals and fellowships from organizations including the Canadian Academy of Engineers, Engineers Canada, Mexican College of Civil Engineers and PICMET.
He began as a petroleum engineer with Imperial Oil, evolved into the ownership and management of an international engineering consulting firm and subsequently a private merchant bank before becoming President of the Alberta Research Council and then the National Research Council. John has served, often as Chair, at the local, provincial, federal and international level on numerous public and private agencies, not-for-profits and advisory committees related to trade, education, technology, innovation, engineering, economic development and employment.
John is a graduate in engineering from the University of Alberta where he also completed post graduate courses in computing science and environment engineering. He was the Inaugural Poole Chair in Management for Engineers at the UA and the founder of “Innovation School” in collaboration with leading research and technology organizations across Canada.