RIO Staff
Carolyn Agazarian
Executive Assistant, Research + Dean, Jake Kerr Faculty of Graduate Studies
Research, Research Industry Office
Carolyn Agazarian
Executive Assistant, Research + Dean, Jake Kerr Faculty of Graduate Studies
Carolyn Agazarian supports the Research + Graduate Studies portfolio as Executive Assistant to the Associate Vice-President, Research + Dean. With more than a decade of experience working alongside senior leaders across higher education, healthcare, labour and the public sector, she brings elegance and precision to the often-invisible work of coordination. Her practice moves seamlessly between complex scheduling, executive communications and the choreography of meetings and decisions, creating systems that allow leadership to think clearly and act decisively. Known for her composure, discretion, and intuitive sense of timing, Carolyn keeps even the most demanding portfolios in graceful motion.
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Cemre Demiralp
Interim Associate Director, Creative Entrepreneurship, Innovation + External Engagement
Research, Research Industry Office
Cemre Demiralp
Interim Associate Director, Creative Entrepreneurship, Innovation + External Engagement
Cemre Demiralp is a transdisciplinary leader focused on fostering community and sustainable ecosystems within art and design that empower artists and designers. At ECU, she leads the innovation and creative entrepreneurship portfolios, building partnerships and co-designing innovative programs that connect entrepreneurial needs with the creative sector. Cemre’s approach focuses on building partnerships across sectors, from non-profits to technology startups, driving collaboration and innovation. She holds a double major in Art History and Political Science from the University of British Columbia and an MBA in Sustainable Innovation from the University of Victoria.
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Alan Goldman
Industry Liaison, Research
Alan began his career in radio as part of the award-winning team behind the five-part national CBC Radio documentary series A Matter of Survival, hosted by Dr. David Suzuki. He is also an accomplished filmmaker, having produced and directed multiple documentary projects, and has taught documentary film and digital media at both public and private institutions. Alan holds a Master of Applied Arts from ECU, where his research examined the impact of 3D technology on documentary storytelling. He now serves as Industry Liaison for Research at ECU, supporting industry partnerships, managing applied research and service projects, and facilitating student internships that connect creative talent with real-world innovation challenges.
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Lois Klassen
Coordinator, Research Ethics
Lois Klassen has supported the work of the Emily Carr University Research Ethics Board since 2011. She has presented widely on the topic of applied ethics in art and design research (conferences of Canadian Association of Research Ethics Boards, REB West, Canadian Association of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, International Association for the Study of Forced Migration, Peace Research Institute Oslo Centre on Culture and Violent Conflict, Western Washington U, and more). Her writing is found in Ethics and Visual Research Methods (Warr, et al), Forced Migration In/To Canada (Clark-Kazak, ed), Current Design Journal, and more.
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Anita Kovacs
Analyst, Research Services + Institutional Grants
Anita brings over a decade of administrative experience in the post-secondary sector to her role as Analyst, Research Services + Institutional Grants. She takes a service-oriented approach to supporting faculty and institutional research initiatives, focusing on making research administration clearer, more efficient and more responsive to those who rely on it. Her work includes pre- and post-award grant support, and process improvements through automation and workflow design.
Naturally curious, with a love of learning, Anita seeks to understand how things work – and why they are the way they are. She enjoys connecting dots and bringing clarity to complex systems and information, and working collaboratively to make informed decisions and move work forward.
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Justin Langlois
Associate Vice-President of Research and Dean of Graduate Studies
Academic Affairs, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Research, Research Industry Office
Justin Langlois
Associate Vice-President of Research and Dean of Graduate Studies
Justin Langlois’ practice explores public art, social engagement and creative pedagogy through text-based works, participatory projects and public installations. His work has been presented at the Centre Pompidou (Paris), the Museum of Contemporary Art (Toronto), Conflux New York, Nuit Blanche (Toronto), Creative Time Summit (Venice Biennale), Open Engagement (Pittsburgh), CAFKA (Kitchener), Art Souterrain (Montreal), Art Moves (Poland), Manif D’art Biennial (Quebec City).. His writing has been published in C Magazine, Canadian Art, the Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Open Engagement, Esse and Curb Magazine, and books including Artistic Approaches to Cultural Mapping and The Everyday Practice of Public Art.
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Priyanka Poulose
Program Development Officer, Creative Industries + External Engagement
Research, Research Industry Office
Priyanka Poulose
Program Development Officer, Creative Industries + External Engagement
Priyanka holds a Master of Design from ECU and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Mumbai. With over eight years of experience across nonprofit, academic and creative industries, her work focuses on building innovative programs and strategic partnerships for ECU’s emerging creatives that centre equity, interdisciplinary collaboration and social impact.
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Caylee Raber
Director, Health Design Lab
Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Research, Research Industry Office, Undergraduate Studies
Caylee Raber
Director, Health Design Lab
Caylee Raber is the Director of the Health Design Lab and responsible for the development, growth and leadership of the lab. Within this role, she develops collaborative relationships with community partners, related labs and academic institutions, while leading the formation and execution of research and design projects.
Caylee also teaches in the Faculty of Design and Dynamic Media and Master of Design Program. Her expertise is in participatory design research and trauma-informed design practices. She is interested in supporting curriculum through community-based experiential learning opportunities. Caylee holds a Master of Design from ECU and Bachelor degree in Industrial Design.
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Leanne Rooney
Director, Institutional Grants & Manager, Research Administration + Operations
Research, Research Industry Office
Leanne Rooney
Director, Institutional Grants & Manager, Research Administration + Operations
Leanne Rooney has over 30 years of experience in financial management and research administration and supports the full spectrum of research and institutional grants at ECU, from faculty-led awards to large partnered and applied research initiatives, by securing and stewarding funding. Drawing on experience in both academia and industry, her work focuses on building sustainable research ecosystems through strong financial stewardship, effective administrative systems and cross-sector collaboration. She supports researchers at all stages and across disciplines, helping create the conditions for rigorous, creative and impactful research.
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Jason Sum
Research Financial Analyst
Jason works as a Research Finance Analyst in the Research and Industry Office, providing financial support and fostering collaboration to assist faculty and staff while maintaining a supportive and engaging work environment. He is passionate about lifelong learning and professional development. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through sports and exploring new ideas that spark creativity and broaden perspective.
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