We are thought leaders and innovators.
Our Team
We are a group of innovators, pioneers and dreamers.
Mark Masotti, BASc, MEPP
CEO and Co-Founder
Mark has spent almost two decades in leadership roles in the civil, environmental, power, and industrial infrastructure fields. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science (Chemical Engineering) from Queen’s University and a Master’s Degree in Engineering and Public Policy from McMaster University, he has navigated numerous technical, business, and policy challenges in complex fields like anaerobic digestion and energy storage, amongst others. alterBiota brings together numerous of Mark’s passions and provides an outlet for his large-scale innovations in the green materials and energy space.
Vivek Patel, BEng, MEng
Manager, Data and Process Engineering
Vivek earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Gujarat Technological University and a Master of Engineering Design in Process and Production Systems from McMaster University. A passionate tech enthusiast, Vivek constantly explores new tools and methodologies to enhance engineering and research practices. As a self-taught data and software engineer, he expands his skills to drive innovation across disciplines. With a sharp focus on leveraging cutting-edge technologies, Vivek is committed to leading innovation towards building a better and sustainable future.
Swomitra Palit, PhD
Manager, Midstream R&D
Swomitra completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Soft Matter Physics from Memorial University of Newfoundland. His doctoral research focused on macromolecular systems, in which polymers and nanoparticles exhibit complex behaviors due to physical interactions between constituents. Swomitra is an expert in multicomponent colloidal systems and is passionate about the challenges we face with our novel bio-graphene admixture products.
Mayra Tagliaferri de Grazia MASc, PhD
Manager, Concrete R&D
Mayra obtained her MASc. and Ph.D. in Civil Materials Engineering at the University of Ottawa but her journey into sustainable concrete mix-design began ten years ago as a research assistant at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her expertise includes low carbon concrete mix-design, aggregate packing, and concrete durability. With over 20 peer-reviewed research papers to her name, she is also a member of ACI 211-00 Proportioning Concrete Mixtures, 221-00 Aggregates, and 241-00 Nanotechnology of Concrete, and she brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her role.
Trevor Byrne, MSc
Manager, Upstream R&D
Trevor holds a master’s degree in physics from Dalhousie University and brings over 15 years of R&D experience in the development of environmentally friendly process technologies to convert a variety of mined ore and waste tailings into value added products. He is committed to discovering better methods for producing critically needed industrial materials, which have the biggest impact on the planet.
Paul Vergunst, BSc
Operations Manager
Paul has been in a manufacturing environment for over three decades in various roles including QC Manager, Lab Manager, Quality Manager, Process Engineer, and various Plant Manager roles in multiple companies. He brings a strong knowledge of implementing systems including multiple ISO registrations and lean production systems. Paul’s skills are aligned to bringing structure and stability to alterBiota while ensuring that the free flow of ideas needed in such an entrepreneurial organization is maintained.
Noah Muggah
Concrete Lab Assistant & Safety Representative
Noah is a lifelong learner who is comfortable with almost any challenge. He is equipped with a Diploma in Industrial Instrumentation from Nova Scotia Community College and has earned certifications from the American Concrete Institute University and as a JOHS Safety Representative. Noah is a critical part of the foundation of our concrete testing and safety team.
Matthew Maclean
Concrete Lab Assistant
Matthew studied electrical technology at Nova Scotia Community College before entering the trades where he worked forming and placing concrete for residential construction projects in Cape Breton. His work ethic and field experience come as a huge asset to alterBiota’s concrete testing team.
Alex Hanmore, P.Eng
Manager of Concrete Technologies
With almost a decade of experience in the decarbonization of cement and concrete, Alex has led concrete research teams and implemented innovative technologies worldwide. His work spans research, product development, and areas of expertise including sustainable construction materials, concrete quality control, and carbon credits.
Alex was a member of the grand-winning NRG COSIA XPRIZE team, which developed breakthrough technologies in decarbonization. He also has experience conducting concrete quality control testing on mega projects within Canada, ensuring high standards in large-scale infrastructure. Alex holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Dalhousie University.
Chris Devison, BA, HRM
Manager, Concrete Lab
Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cape Breton University as well as a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Saint Mary’s University. Chris brings with him over 15 years of experience in the concrete industry. Throughout this time in the industry, he has held various positions ranging from concrete batcher to assistant manager to production plant manager responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a concrete production plant and trucking fleet. Chris’ many years working in the field on many large-scale concrete construction projects and overall experience make him an important part of the AlterBiota team.
Akshay Sharma
Concrete Lab Assistant
Akshay holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Kurukshetra University in India and brings over seven years of professional experience to AlterBiota. He spent five years in quality control, specializing in construction materials testing, and two years in sales, developing strong communication and client relations skills. In 2022, he moved to Canada to pursue a Business Management program at Cape Breton University. Upon completing his studies, Akshay joined AlterBiota’s concrete testing team, where his combined technical expertise and business background contribute meaningfully to the lab’s success.
Caitlyn MacDonald, CET
Project Manager, Concrete Technical Services
Caitlyn holds a diploma in Environmental Engineering Technology and has spent the past 5 years working in the sustainable concrete industry. Throughout this time, Caitlyn has gained significant experience in leading research projects and overseeing concrete testing initiatives. With a strong focus on sustainability, Caitlyn has contributed to the development of innovative concrete solutions designed to minimize environmental impact.
Chuck Wrathall
Concrete Lab Assistant
Chuck holds a Carpentry Diploma from Nova Scotia Community College and has over 15 years of experience in the carpentry field. He has worked on major projects such as the Boundary Dam Carbon Capture Project in Saskatchewan and has completed numerous concrete construction projects across Canada. In addition to his carpentry background, Chuck is also a professional photographer. His photography skills and knowledge have proven valuable in the building and installation setup of digitalAggregate camera systems.
Eli Chiasson
Process Engineer
Eli enjoys learning new things and will not shy from any challenge that he is faced with. Obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Dalhousie University, he is a fast learner always striving to improve and optimize admixture production as well as learning new skills to further help the team in any way he can
Olusola Olajide, PHD, PMP
Project Manager, Concrete R&D
Olusola Olajide holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Concordia University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). His expertise lies in the durability of concrete, with a particular focus on the diagnosis and prognosis of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and other internal swelling reactions (ISR). He has over five years of experience in concrete materials research, including the development of sustainable concrete technologies. Olusola has contributed to several publications on both concrete durability and sustainability and is an active member of national and international committees, including ACI 221 (Aggregates) and RILEM TC 300-ARM. He is committed to leveraging his expertise in concrete materials and project management to advance low-carbon construction practices and drive innovation in sustainable infrastructure.
Utsav Soni
Full Stack Developer
Utsav earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering from Gujarat Technological University and a Master of Applied Computer Science from Dalhousie University. As a Full Stack Developer at alterBiota, he leads the development of the company’s frontend and mobile applications. With nearly five years of experience across diverse software domains, Utsav combines technical depth with a strong focus on innovation and usability. His expertise bridges hardware and software systems, enabling efficient, scalable, and modern digital solutions. Passionate about problem solving and rapid learning, he plays a key role in driving alterBiota’s technology initiatives that support sustainable engineering and research innovation.
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