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Mike Lacasse joined Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation as a Partnerships Development Office in May 2024. He has a PhD in Biological Chemistry from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Queen’s Smith School of Business.

Mike worked for several years as a Senior Advisor with Mitacs, where he collaborated with businesses, researchers, and governments. He helped community organizations and businesses access sources of funding, brought new partnerships to Queen’s University, and guided grant applications. Mike initiated technological AI-based solutions to match research questions to experts and advised businesses on their innovation pipeline.

Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from his research in finding scalable solutions, like new ways to fight infections and efficiently screen for new antimicrobial drugs and microbiome modulation therapies. His passion for knowledge mobilization and science communication led him to create new teaching demonstrations for a Molecular Gastronomy course, aimed to teach non-scientists all about the chemistry of food and the chemical process behind cooking and baking.

What is the best part of your job?
I love working with the enthusiastic and bright people at Queen’s University who, through technological and social innovation, have an unrelenting desire to make the world a better place for everyone.

What’s the one thing you would tell any researcher to do before they come to you?
Nothing! Let’s connect and start thinking about how to create impactful research outcomes.

What is one important thing that you want researchers to think about when it comes to the commercialization process?
Think about the end at the beginning – consider how the knowledge will be used and the societal, legal, economic, market, and technological barriers in place.