2021 Beyond the lab: Callaghan Innovation’s Research Showcase

Nic is a Business Development Manager who specialises in the Commercialisation and Technology Transfer environment. He has worked for over 20 years solving problems for companies in different countries and sectors. Nic has a background and experience in manufacturing, construction, energy and engineering and a significant network across industry and research in New Zealand. Nic's passion is solving problems for clients by bringing the appropriate people together.

Nic's presentation will focus on Callaghan Innovation R&D Solutions (RDS), with an overview of RDS capabilities with a specific focus around Advanced Manufacturing, Product Development, Industry 4,0 and Robotics and Automation.

Ashna Khan is a Customer Manager within the Agrifood Team at Callaghan Innovation and manages the biotech portfolio within the Agri sector. Ashna has completed a PhD in Organic Chemistry with Victoria University of Wellington and has worked as a Research Scientist for 3 years prior to joining Callaghan Innovation as a Business Development Manager and then moving into the Customer Manager role. As a Customer Manager Ashna is exposed to new technologies and advancements in the agriculture industry and works closely with companies from early-stage start-ups to big corporates, connecting them to government support and innovation skills as required. Ashna also works closely with other stakeholders relevant to the agri industry, such as academic and research and regulatory personnel.

Ashna is excited to come to Northland to engage with local businesses. Her talk will be focussed on the Callaghan Innovation offering, global trends in the Food and Agri space and the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), a government initiative aimed to provide the agritech sector with the support to accelerate its growth.

The interconnectivity offered by wireless technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) means New Zealand business can more easily participate and compete on the world stage. Chatu's session will focus on Callaghan Innovation’s wireless, and audio & sonar tech capabilities and how Callaghan Innovation works with New Zealand businesses to bring their ideas to life.

Chatu is an electrical engineer with more than 20 years’ experience in advanced signal processing, physical layer security wireless R&D in communication technologies, business development and management of engineering teams.