New leadership at Navigate

Brennan Lowery

Navigate, based in the Centre for Research and Innovation in Corner Brook, is pleased to announce two new leaders who will help the community in the world of entrepreneurism and innovation.

Brennan Lowery joined Navigate in March 2023 as Manager of the Navigate Entrepreneurship Centre, and in March 2024 took on the role of Navigate's Business Incubator. Brennan is a community developer, researcher and passionate supporter of entrepreneurial efforts to build more sustainable communities. He completed a doctorate in 2020 through Memorial University's Interdisciplinary PhD program, specializing in environmental policy, human geography and economics. While a graduate student at Grenfell Campus, Brennan participated in many Navigate events such as Start-up Weekends, and was involved in the funding proposal for the Centre for Research and Innovation. Prior to joining Navigate, he held postdoctoral fellowships through the Future Ocean and Coastal Infrastructures project (based at the MUN Faculty of Business Administration) and later in the Marine Biomass Innovation project (based at Grenfell Campus).

Felipe Hanstead

Felipe Hansted is the new MakerSpace manager. Having completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering, focusing on the physical-mechanical performance of cementitious composites, he further focused on analyzing complex data, identifying innovative solutions, and leading research projects. He was previously a professor at the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of São Paulo where he communicated technical concepts to diverse audiences and cultivated an environment of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. His keen interest in 3D printing has led him to become an avid enthusiast, imparting knowledge to young students and conducting specialized courses about the importance of additive manufacturing in the context of Industry 4.0, effectively equipping the next generation with vital insights to thrive in modern industries.