Our Team
Shawn Lewenza
I have developed research programs in microbiology, antibiotic discovery and in bacterial biosensors for diverse applications. We use synthetic biology to engineer bacterial biosensors that detect naphthenic acids, the primary chemicals of concern in oil sands tailings ponds. These NA biosensors are being commercialized as novel tools for environmental monitoring of NA in water, and they also facilitate identifying microbes that degrade naphthenic acids. Our goal is to identify minimal bacterial communities that can efficiently degrade naphthenic acids in water treatment strategies.
View my publications here on Google Scholar.
View my Athabasca University Pure research profile here.
Greg Saunders
Since connecting with Calgary's tech community in the late 1990s, I've rarely felt as energized as I do about the opportunity to join Luminous. After witnessing countless technologies that failed to create meaningful change, Luminous stands as a powerful counterexample. Innovations coming out of Luminous have genuine potential to transform how heavy industry addresses our most urgent environmental challenges. This isn't just another tech venture—it's a mission I'm deeply passionate about supporting.
Jeff Violo
With over 30 years of experience, I thrive on transforming complex challenges into actionable solutions. My journey began as a professional athlete and coach, where I honed the discipline and strategic thinking that I now bring to every project. I love to work alongside talented people and overcome constraints by leveraging a blend of business insight and technical expertise, to unlock new opportunities. I’m passionate about building lasting relationships with people who value innovation and integrity, and I’m always excited to tackle the next big challenge.