Microbial Community Profiling – Tools and Applications in the Mining Sector

Expert: MONIQUE HAAKENSEN
PHD, RPBIO, PBIOL, EP | PRESIDENT & PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST | CONTANGO STRATEGIES LIMITED

Monique holds a PhD in applied microbiology, and post-doctoral research associateship in environmental microbiology and biogeochemistry. With over a decade of experience, Monique’s expertise in bioremediation and passive/semi-passive water treatment spans from conceptual design, to technical and public regulatory hearings, through to implementation and long-term closure. She has worked on passive treatment systems such as constructed wetlands for more than a dozen mines at various stages of operation including exploration, active, closed and abandoned, many of which are located in Northern Canada. A specialist in passive water treatment, constructed treatment wetlands, biogeochemistry and genetic microbial profiling (microbiome, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics), Monique oversees research programs for technology development in these areas at Contango in addition to their consulting activities. Since founding Contango in 2010, she has grown the company into a thriving environmental firm with laboratories and dedicated pilot facilities. As a result, she has been named one of Canada’s future entrepreneurial leaders by Profit Magazine (2011), and to their W100 list of Canada’s top female entrepreneurs (2015). Outside of her business activities, Dr. Haakensen serves as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan and as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at Clemson University (South Carolina). She previously served as an Academic lead for the University of the Arctic. In 2014, Dr. Haakensen became the youngest person ever appointed to Canada’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Council, providing the federal government with confidential, evidence-based advice on key issues that affect Canadian society and our economic development

Expert: VANESSA FRIESEN
PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST | CONTANGO STRATEGIES LIMITED

Vanessa is is a specialist in microbial profiling, with over a decade of experience in genetic sequencing and analysis technologies for microbes. Vanessa is a nationally recognized leader in the field of genetic microbial profiling for environmental applications, having developed some of the first ever standardized tests for microbial assessment of environmental and bioremediation applications. These unique profiling capabilities are now being used by multiple industrial sectors worldwide to improve site-specific bioremediation efforts, de-risk decision making, and optimize operational processes. With degrees in microbiology and biochemistry and a PhD in applied microbiology, Vanessa oversees microbiology services and new technology development at Contango, and outside of work, advises on graduate student projects and national level genomics initiatives.