Meet the IP&C Team
The IP&C team has broad expertise in biomedical research, product development, industry partnerships, business development, marketing, start-ups, technology licensing, and commercialization.
Have a general inquiry?
Meet the IP&C Team
The Industry Partnerships & Commercialization (IP&C) Team at SickKids has broad expertise in knowledge translation, relationship management, business development, licensing, marketing, and scientific communications.
Have a general inquiry?
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Directors
Ihor Boszko
Executive Director
Ihor Boszko | MSc, MBA
Ihor joined SickKids to lead the IP&C office as Executive Director in November 2018, bringing close to two decades of experience in the life sciences sector.
Previously, Ihor spent nearly fifteen years in the in vitro diagnostics industry developing, commercializing and partnering innovative molecular technologies at Tm Bioscience (TSXV: TMC), Luminex (NASDAQ: LMNX) and venture-backed start-up Xagenic. He also served as Vice President of Business Development at Ontario Genomics, and is currently a Director of CELS-SFO.
Konrad Powell-Jones
Director of Business Development
Konrad Powell-Jones
In his role as Director of Business Development, Konrad applies his extensive pharma and tech transfer experience in leading the SickKids IP&C business development team.
With over 25 years of combined experience as a Biotechnology Commercialization Manager for institutions such as the University of Toronto, The Canadian Arthritis Network, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Sinai Health System, and over 15 years as a Contracts Specialist for CAMH and other hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto, he brings a broad spectrum of knowledge to commercializing early-stage discoveries out of our institution.
Oksana Goncharenko
Director of Licensing and Industry Partnerships
Oksana Goncharenko | MSc, PhD, MBA
Oksana brings extensive expertise in the commercialization of early-stage health technologies. She has garnered valuable experience in various technology transfer offices, including roles at UPEI, U of S, and UHN. Oksana has also contributed to the biotechnology industry, having previously served as the Director of Partnerships, IP, and Licensing at Lucid Psycheceuticals, a subsidiary of FSD Pharma, before joining SickKids.
Combining her scientific acumen and business knowledge, Oksana is dedicated to advancing early-stage discoveries developed at SickKids. Her enthusiasm for early research fuels her eagerness to contribute to its adoption and advancement in health care.
Oksana earned a PhD in Oncology from the National Institute of Cancer in Ukraine. She also holds an MBA with a specialization in Biotechnology Management from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada.
Business Development
Stephanie Tammam
Business Development and Alliance Manager
Stephanie Tammam | MSc, PhD
As IP&C’s Business Development and Alliance Manager, Stephanie plays a crucial role in facilitating the successful transfer of research discoveries developed at SickKids to the commercial sector. She uses her expertise to promote research at SickKids both internally and externally, maximizing the impact of our intellectual property and ensuring ideas move from the bench to the bedside. This includes developing business plans and commercialization strategies, identifying and establishing partnerships with external organizations, leading deal negotiations as well as post-transaction relationship management.
Stephanie received her B.Sc. Honours (Biochemistry) and M.Sc. (Structural Biology) from the University of Calgary and has been at SickKids for over 15 years. First as a PhD student, and then as Lab Manager for the Howell Lab in Molecular Medicine.
Jevin Francis
Licensing Associate
Jevin Francis | BSc
Jevin offers strategic guidance and support to Project Investigators at SickKids in various facets. This includes the identification and evaluation of new inventions, the development of technology licensing opportunities and strategies, the negotiation of agreement terms and conditions, and the identification of suitable partners for licensing technologies developed at SickKids. His primary focus areas encompass AI/Machine Learning technologies, medical apps, clinical tools and devices, clinical health outcome measures (HOMs), quality-of-life questionnaires, as well as research and educational tools.
With a strong background in research contract negotiation and market research, Jevin brings an innovative and tactical approach to the commercialization of technologies emerging from SickKids.
Jevin received a B.Sc. (Honours) from the University of Guelph, specializing in Biomedical Science.
Karin Aguilar
Business Development Associate
Karin Aguilar | BSc, MSc
Karin plays a key role in fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within SickKids, where she manages a diverse portfolio of innovations spanning life science, medical science, and biotechnology.
With a background as a trained scientist, Karin earned her B.Sc. in Biology from The Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM) and her M.Sc. in Genetics of Human Disease from University College London (UCL). Drawing from her extensive experience in the private sector, including roles at a pharmaceutical company, gene testing company, and gene therapy start-up, Karin’s passion lies in applied science. Her drive is centered on bringing new discoveries to market to positively impact patient health.
Kamran Rezai
Business Development Associate
Kamran Rezai | BSc, MSc
Kamran supports the IP&C office with marketing and licensing of SickKids’ inventions by performing market research, developing strategies for intellectual property protection and identifying potential partnerships, investors and licensees for technologies. Prior to this role, he was an Analyst within IP&C leading the scientific diligence, intellectual property evaluations and prior art analysis on new inventions and technologies. He also worked at the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) as a Venture Associate where he gained experience evaluating technologies in Cell & Gene Therapy for enabling therapeutics, improving existing platforms and company creation.
Kamran received his M.Sc. in Molecular Genetics from the University of Toronto and holds a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa.
Operations
Iasha Chaudry
Legal Counsel
Iasha Chaudry | BSc, JD
As an intellectual property attorney and registered patent agent, Iasha has an extensive background in IP, patents, and commercialization. In her role as legal counsel for IP&C, she manages the licensing of cutting-edge innovations and advises on IP issues.
Prior to joining the team, Iasha worked several years at Smart & Biggar, a national IP boutique law firm, and at the commercialization office at the University of Washington, where she gained extensive experience in securing IP protection and the transactional aspects of IP. Prior to her legal career, Iasha gained significant experience in life sciences research having worked for a number of years at a genomics research lab at the University of British Columbia.
Jocelyn Lee
Communications and Events Coordinator
Jocelyn Lee | BSc, MHSc
Jocelyn earned her MHSc in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, with a specialization in Knowledge Translation, from the University of Toronto. She also holds a BSc in Bio-Medical Science from the University of Guelph.
Anita Cloutier
Intellectual Property Administrative Coordinator
Anita Cloutier | BA
Anita plays a pivotal role in supporting the IP&C office at SickKids, where she ensures meticulous compliance in intellectual property and patent invoicing administrative matters. With a wealth of experience in research administration, Anita’s background includes significant contributions as an IP Officer and Research Assistant at the University of Toronto. Drawing from her past roles, Anita works to streamline document organization, manage records effectively, and facilitate the prompt processing of invoices and invention disclosure applications.
Anita’s commitment to excellence is underscored by her completion of the Research Administration Certificate at CARA, the Canadian Association of Research Administrators. She also holds a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Windsor.
Maureen Onuchuku
Administrative Coordinator
Maureen Onuchuku | BSc, PMI-ACP, CSM, CSPO
Adept at cross-functional collaboration and with a keen eye for detail, Maureen leverages her organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills to drive initiatives forward. At the heart of Maureen’s approach is a commitment to excellence, efficiency, confidentiality, and relationship building.
Maureen holds two post-graduate degrees in Advanced Project Management and Strategic Leadership & Education, coupled with a B.Sc. in Management from the University of Nigeria.
