Mike’s (he/him) Shad story began with the launch of Shad at Dalhousie University in July 2001, where he started as a Program Assistant. Since then he has held various roles including PA, faculty, Program Manager, and now Director.

Mike is a professor at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Management, in the School of Information Management. He completed his PhD at the University of Alberta, was a postdoctoral fellow at York University, and holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Dalhousie University.  He conducts interdisciplinary research that includes challenges in using cloud computing, supporting for research dissemination and discovery, managing of cloud-scale data, leveraging IT to meet research and educational needs, enabling open data and information, and understanding ethical issues in information and technology (particularly emerging technology).  As a Shad-inspired believer in the importance of integrating science, technology, and entrepreneurship, he is involved with a research commercialization start-up company, his own software consulting company, and several industry research partners.

Mike tells us that taking one month each year to do Shad is energizing and inspiring, so much so that he’s even more productive the other 11 months of the year. When he’s not working hard to ensure that promise comes true, he enjoys photography and is a voracious reader.