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Staff Profiles

Permanent ASU Staff: 2023

Dr. Graham Cairns


Name: Dr. Graham Cairns

Position: Director

Years at ASU: 24

Education and Training: B.Sc. (Hons) Chemistry, 1994; Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Glasgow, 1997; Academic Assistant of the Chemistry Department, University of Glasgow 1993-1994; Postdoctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia 1997-1999; Completed a 40 hour contaminated site health and safety training course.

Paula Whitley


Name: Paula Whitley

Position: Laboratory Manager

Years at ASU: 34

Education and Training: B.Sc. (Hons.) Biochemistry, Manchester University; completion of courses concerning technical maintenance of gas chromatography systems, 1996-present. Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, 1988-1989; Laboratory Technician, Analytical Services Unit, Queen's University, Kingston, 1990-1994.

Mesha Thompson


Name: Mesha Thompson

Position: Research Technician

Years at ASU: 14

Education and Training: B.Sc. (Hons), Forensics (w/m Chemistry and Biological Science), University of Ontario, Institute of Technology, 2005-2009.


Name: Dr. Dale Marecak

Position: Research Technician

Years at ASU: 6

Education and Training: B.Sc. (Hons) Biochemistry, B.Sc. (Hons) Biotechnology, Carleton University, Ottawa, 1990; Ph.D. Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, 1994; Postdoctoral Fellow, SUNY Stony Brook and University of Utah, 1994-1997; Biopharmaceutical Polymer Scientist, Amgen, California, 1997-2004; Research Technician, Queen’s University, 2007-2015. Completed five 7 hour courses for Emergency Response Team Certification in California. Queen’s Biosafety Level 2 certified. CPR, First Aid, and Food Safety certifications.


Name: Dr. Allison Rutter

Position: Technical Consultant

Years at ASU: 27

Education and Training: B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry, 1984; M.Sc. Chemistry., Queens University, 1986; Ph.D. Chemistry., University of Ottawa, 1992; Ph.D. Candidate and Research Assistant at National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa 1988-1992; Research Officer at the Department of Cancer Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia, 1992-1995. Completed a 40 hour contaminated site health and safety training course.

Previous Position(s):

  • Assistant Director ASU 2000-2004
  • Research Associate ASU 1997-2000
  • Scientific Advisor to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, 1997-present
  • QA/QC Scientist, Ontario Ministry of Environment,1986-1988