Our People
PTRC Staff
The staff at the PTRC continues to push the boundaries of innovation and technology in the oil and gas industry ― at home and around the world.
Carolyn K. Preston, Ph. D., P.Eng., Executive Director
Dr. Preston is an accomplished scientist and researcher. Working at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) from 1990 until mid-2007, she progressed from a research scientist to a manager of multi-stakeholder public-private research programs in energy efficiency, sustainable development, and climate change mitigation technology development and demonstration. From 2002 to 2005 she managed NRCan’s participation in and funding of the Petroleum Technology Research Centre, and both phases of the IEA GHG Weyburn-Midale CO2 Monitoring and Storage Project. From January 2006 until mid-2007, she undertook the role of Project Integrator for the final phase of the Weyburn-Midale Project. Dr. Preston has a bachelor’s degree in engineering chemistry from Queen’s University and master’s and doctoral degrees in physical chemistry from the University of Toronto. She is a professional engineer registered in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. Dr. Preston has some 60 peer-reviewed publications and presentations to her credit, and 14 awards and scholarships. In early 2007, she was one of 13 professionals from 11 countries awarded a prestigious UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Chevening Fellowship in the Economics of Energy at the University of Reading, England. In February, 2008, she was named one of Saskatchewan’s Ten Women of Influence by Sask Business Magazine, and in 2009 she became Director of Publications on the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) Board of Directors, elected for a three-year term. The position includes oversight of the Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering. Dr. Preston became the PTRC's Executive Director in the summer of 2007. The PTRC has doubled its research budget under her stewardship, and was identified as a Network of Centres of Excellence in 2009 by the Government of Canada to conduct expanded research in enhanced oil recovery.
Ken Brown, Network Manager, Sustainable Technologies for Energy Production Systems (STEPS)
Ken recently joined the PTRC to lead the new STEPS Business-Led Network of Centres of Excellence. He has been involved with the PTRC since it was created, either as a participant representative or advising on one of its many research projects. Ken has 37 years of diverse industry experience and almost five years of advanced research experience through the Alberta Research Council. His passion for enhanced oil recovery and carbon capture and storage technologies is only exceeded by the presence of any of his seven grandchildren. Ken served as the SPE Distinguished Lecturer in EOR for 2009. He is past Chairman of the National Board of the Petroleum Society, and one of only 30 Canadian petroleum professionals to receive the Petroleum Society's "Distinguished Service Award". He continues to serve on several other technical and society boards.
Haley Solie, Administrative Assistant
Haley Solie joined the PTRC in April, 2009, as an administrative assistant. She received a diploma in office administration in 2002, and comes to the PTRC with seven years of administrative experience. Contact Haley at 306.787.4334
Steve Whittaker, Ph. D., P. Geol.,Senior Project Manager
Steve Whittaker joined the PTRC as Senior Project Manager in 2008, overseeing the management of several research programs, including the IEA GHG Weyburn-Midale CO2 Monitoring and Storage Project and Aquistore. He comes to the PTRC from Canadian Capital Energy Corporation. Steve is a professional geologist, and has a Ph. D. in Geology from the University of Saskatchewan.
Kyle Worth, P. Eng., Project Engineer, JIVE and Aquistore Projects
Kyle Worth is the Project Engineer for Aquistore and the Joint Implementation Vapour Extraction project. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Regina in 2001.
Ingrid Uhryn, Manager of Corporate Services
Ingrid Uhryn oversees the provision and management of all corporate and support services for the PTRC team. Contact Ingrid at: 306.787.3632.
Marlene Hoffmann recently joined the PTRC as the Executive Assistant to the Director. Her past experiences as an office manager and other lead administrative roles will dramatically shorten the transition time at the PTRC. She is dedicated to leading administrative processes as she utilizes her teamwork and executive administrative skills. Contact Marlene at: 306.787.1275
Michelle Heal, B.Admin, CMA, Finance Manager
Michelle Heal joins PTRC as the Finance Manager and comes with over 13 years of combined experience in the financial and manufacturing industries. She oversees the project financial activity as well as the overall financial statement process. Michelle has her B.Admin and CMA designation.
Adam Fehler, Project Engineer
Adam graduated from the University of Regina in 2009 with a degree in Industrial Systems Engineering. He has worked with CIBC, SaskPower, Case New Holland, and General Motors (Canada) Ltd. His work experience has taught him to manage time effectively and work well with co-workers and colleagues. He looks forward to the considerable challenges of managing enhanced oil recovery research at the PTRC.
Jolene Goulden, Communications Coordinator
Jolene comes to the PTRC from the Saskatchewan Communications Network, where she acted in a communications capacity. She manages the PTRC's tour request process, and assists in other communications activities such as news releases, displays, and conferences. She may be reached at 306.787.1113.
Rongle Li, Project Management Coordinator
Rongle Li (call her Lee) joins the PTRC as a Project Management Coordinator, working closely with the management team on all the research projects. Prior to joining the PTRC, she worked for a local oil company. Lee received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Regina in 2006. Contact Lee at 306.787.4639
Norm Sacuta, M.A., M.F.A., Communications Manager
Norm Sacuta comes to the PTRC after seven years as communications officer at the National Centre for Upgrading Technology, located at the CANMET Energy Technology Centre in Devon. He has eight years experience with technical editing and writing, and communications in the fields of heavy oil and oil sands research. He has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the
