Making Connections

Alumni Nathan Fahey (class of ’02) is making some big connections. Nathan graduated with a Bachelor of Agriculture in Environmental Studies and rounded off his education with graduate studies. Nathan works with the Centre for Energy at the Ontario Centres of Excellence Inc. (OCE). As a business development associate, Nathan helps Ontario universities and colleges to commercialize their energy-related research by providing funding and partnering them with relevant industry partners, “Basically, I am working with industry to solve problems by engaging university and college researchers in the challenges faced by business,” says Nathan.

His project goals are to benefit the Ontario economy and foster the next generation of innovators. “It's a fun job because it exposes me to many types of cutting edge research,” says Nathan. “It's amazing for broadening my network at many levels, and I'm learning how to push good ideas into the marketplace.”

One of Nathan’s current projects at OCE includes the research and development of an Energy Hub Management System. This system will enable industrial, agricultural, commercial, and home energy managers to reduce energy use through predictive modelling of electricity costs, weather events, and availability of onsite electrical generation and storage. The project is valued at $3.7 Million and includes the University of Waterloo, Energent, Hydro One and Milton Hydro Distribution. “I like this work because we are helping to get the research out of the academic environment and connecting companies with the researchers,” says Nathan.

A native of Truro, Nathan originally chose NSAC because it was local which meant saving a lot of money by continuing to live at home. He later discovered that the NSAC has a culture of nurturing and supporting students. Nathan is very complimentary of NSAC faculty “The profs work hard and they are very approachable."

Nathan also appreciated that NSAC doesn’t take a one-size-fits all approach to education. “I liked that I could customize my education. In the middle of my degree, I wanted to do a semester at the University of Edinburgh. It was a great experience traveling to Scotland and studying. NSAC facilitated the whole process.”

Even with his travel and studies, Nathan made time for extra-curricular activities. He was a founding member of the Life Club. This university-community outreach initiative led to workshops for students on topics of wellness, stress management and financial planning; as well as an NSAC Christmas parade float, and two Meal Exchange hunger-awareness campaigns.

Nathan offers this advice to students considering, studying at NSAC, “If your interest is in science, start at the NSAC and you’ll quickly discover top-rate professors and instructors willing to bend over backwards to help you reach your goals”.