Grant Olson Email & Phone Number

Vancouver, BC, CA

Canada

British Columbia, Canada

• Managing and conducting research projects for vertically-farmed baby leafy greens in R&D facility and production environments with a focus on testing new varieties and optimizing seeding density. Pre-existing varieties.
• Overseeing scientific and biological aspects of production facility, including nutrient solutions, grow side environment, beneficial microbes, biocontrol agents, sanitation systems, crop health, and product quality..
• Coordinating with a partner company and other departments in customer acquisition and retention via monitoring product quality and producing high quality customer samples. During a key period prior to production start.
• Providing leadership and training for R&D staff and Production/Operations employees. Utilized experience with start-ups to develop SOPs and systems, working with others to solidify procedures and transfer knowledge for.

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

• Responsible for building and developing a team. Hired, guided, and mentored a motivated team of up to 7, including entomologists, nutritionist, supervisors, technicians, and interns. Gained experience in interviewing.
• Challenged with establishing a custom R&D facility in British Columbia. Successfully led the conceptual design, commissioning, and optimization process resulting in a fully functional, versatile facility within two.
• Company required R&D department to handle a high volume of diverse projects with rapidly evolving priorities. Managed an R&D project portfolio of 100+ cumulative projects while crafting yearly and quarterly plans and.
• Tasked with mission of ensuring proper documentation of R&D work. Led the development of an in-house documentation system. Successfully implemented the system within one year, securing IP capture for R&D work going.
• Industrial insect production facility in Alberta encountered unexpected challenges in meeting targets after commissioning. Utilized expertise to troubleshoot and optimize biological areas with a focus on breeding.

Langley, British Columbia, Canada

• While proving out industrial insect pilot plant, designed and implemented trials and performed analyses to optimize industrial rearing of the black soldier fly throughout all life stages. Work with breeding system led.
• Managed Operations scheduling, maintenance, and R&D optimization of the pilot plant’s insect breeding area, increasing the consistency and quality of breeding operations.

Langley, British Columbia, Canada

• During company’s transition from lab to pilot plant scale, carried out experiments to optimize industrial rearing of the black soldier fly. Focused on improving rearing diets, resulting in boosting early-stage larvae.
• Assisted with Operations startup and commissioning of pilot insect plant.

Burnaby, BC

• Investigated environmentally based transgenerational effects on disease resistance and fitness in two species of Lepidoptera, 1) the western tent caterpillar and 2) the cabbage looper.

Burnaby, BC

• Along with carrying out work for MSc thesis, took on role of TA. Worked alongside instructor during labs, conducted weekly tutorial sessions, and held office hours.

St. Augustine, Florida

• Guided group archaeological tours, gave historical talks, provided customer service to guests, and operated park attractions.

Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

• Taught English immersion-based kindergarten, students aged 5-6. Designed lesson plans, completed progress reports, and assisted with school events.

Master Of Science - Ms, Biology, General, 4.08/4.00

Activities and Societies: Entomological Society of Canada, Entomological Society of British Columbia, Canadian Society for Ecology and.

Bsc, Marine Sciences, 3.55/4.00

Activities and Societies: Ford Apprentice Scholar's Program, Eckerd College Homeless Outreach, Academy Prep volunteer tutor