Andrew McIntyre, Ph.D.

Director and Data Scientist, Acadia Institute for Data Analytics

E-mail: andrew.mcintyre@acadiau.ca

Dr. Andrew McIntyre is an Assistant Professor in the Jodrey School of Computer Science at Acadia University and Director of the Acadia Institute for Data Analytics (AIDA). His research lies in evolutionary computation, with emphasis on cooperative–competitive frameworks, genetic programming, and the design of memory and archive models that enhance adaptability, modularity, and long-term knowledge retention in complex learning systems. This work seeks to advance scalable and explainable approaches to artificial intelligence, particularly in settings where dynamic environments and multi-objective trade-offs must be addressed. Dr. McIntyre has published in peer-reviewed venues, supervised honours, master’s, and capstone students, and regularly integrates students into funded projects. Through his role as Director of AIDA, he connects academic research with applied collaborations in industry, government, and community sectors, while also fostering regional research capacity as co-founder of the AI Atlantic Consortium, a network of universities advancing AI research and training across Atlantic Canada.

 

Leigh Huestis

Director, Office of Industry and Community Engagement, Acadia University

As Director of Acadia’s Office of Industry and Community Engagement (formerly the Office of Technology Transfer and Innovation), Leigh is responsible for commercialization and industry liaison activities, intellectual property management and preparation and negotiation of a wide variety of research and commercialization agreements. Leigh has been a recipient of the Acadia President’s Award for Innovation and a team finalist for a Nova Scotia Discovery Award. She also sits as an Advisory Member on several Boards, including the Acadia Center for Social and Business Entrepreneurship (ACSBE) and the Jodrey School of Computer Science, and is actively involved in coordinating activities of the Springboard Network as a member of the Network Coordination Committee and the Technology Assessment Committee.

Paul Richards

Regional Manager, Innovacorp

Paul Richards is an accomplished economic development professional with a proven track record of accelerating business growth. As Regional Manager for Innovacorp, Nova Scotia’s early-stage venture capital organization, Paul focused on enabling knowledge-based companies to accelerate the commercialization of their technologies and to create a dynamic high-growth entrepreneur culture in Nova Scotia.