Zachery R. Belak, Ph.D

Co-Founder

• Formal Bio
• Informal Bio

Weighty scientific bio

Zach has a wealth of applied scientific expertise and experience gained over 15+ years in academic, industrial, and consulting environments which he draws on his role as co-founder of Proxima Research and Development. His areas of specialization include protein synthesis and characterization, development and application of bioassays, the biological applications of nanoparticles, and application of organic chemistry to biological problems. He excels at bringing diverse biochemical, molecular, and cell-based methods to bear on clients’ complex scientific problems in industrial, agricultural, bioproduct, and therapeutic contexts.

Having worked with diverse model systems and organisms (mammals, frogs, yeast, bacteria, fruit flies, purple sea urchin) and plant-based protein expression platforms, unusual study organisms (scorpions and dengue fever virus), and an impressive array of laboratory techniques, Zach can expertly tailor solutions to meet clients’ needs. He also has experience with labelling and regulatory compliance in multiple contexts (e.g., Canadian Environmental Protection Act, Food and Drugs Act), including for nanoparticles and controlled substances. Zach regularly publishes in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, has given numerous presentations at academic and industry conferences, and has been a part of over $570,000 in competitive funding.

Light and fluffy bio

Zach has a wealth of applied scientific expertise and experience gained over 15+ years in academic, industrial, and consulting environments which he draws on his role as co-founder of Proxima Research and Development. His areas of specialization include protein synthesis and characterization, development and application of bioassays, the biological applications of nanoparticles, and application of organic chemistry to biological problems. He excels at bringing diverse biochemical, molecular, and cell-based methods to bear on clients’ complex scientific problems in industrial, agricultural, bioproduct, and therapeutic contexts.

Having worked with diverse model systems and organisms (mammals, frogs, yeast, bacteria, fruit flies, purple sea urchin) and plant-based protein expression platforms, unusual study organisms (scorpions and dengue fever virus), and an impressive array of laboratory techniques, Zach can expertly tailor solutions to meet clients’ needs. He also has experience with labelling and regulatory compliance in multiple contexts (e.g., Canadian Environmental Protection Act, Food and Drugs Act), including for nanoparticles and controlled substances. Zach regularly publishes in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, has given numerous presentations at academic and industry conferences, and has been a part of over $570,000 in competitive funding.

Iain Wallace, M.Sc., M.Res.

Co-Founder

Iain brings to Proxima Research and Development a decade of frontline scientific experience in academic, biomedical, and industrial settings. As a protein biochemist, he has previously focused on recombinant protein expression, purification and characterization using orthodox and unorthodox expression systems. His research on the mechanisms by which bacteria colonize human tissues included the exploration of novel tools for treating drug resistant infections and cancer. Prior to co-founding Proxima Research and Development, Iain worked at a pharmaceutical startup, where he designed, executed, and provided guidance on process design for protein purification.

His diverse background has made him proficient in a wide variety of technical instrumentation and his toolbox is supported by proteomics experience. He is particularly adept at troubleshooting and streamlining complex and technical processes, allowing Proxima Research and Development to provide innovative and efficient solutions to client research problems in time-restricted contexts. Iain has a long history of fostering collaborative relationships, beginning as an Executive Officer for Ustinov College at Durham University, and continuing as a Product Integration Technician at Abcam PLC and a Client Success Representative at Clearpath Robotics. Iain’s lab-based expertise, communication skills, and talent for managing multiple complex projects provides Proxima Research and Development with the ability to deliver outstanding client-oriented service and results. 

Q: What do you love most about science? A: I love learning, and scientific research is really a process of continual education. Going from not knowing to knowing, that moment of realization, of discovery, of no longer being ignorant is something I enjoy tremendously.

Q: What is your favourite piece of trivia or knowledge? A: Carcinization – evolution’s seeming obsession with trying to produce crabs!

Q: If you weren’t busy at Proxima, what would you do instead? A: Be a stay-at-home Dad.

John Muirhead, Co-Founder

Office Manager & Purchaser

John brings two decades in customer service and asset management across several industries, including hospitality, building supply, and transport. A curious man with a love of history and a passion for storytelling, John is the man behind the scenes wrangling the scientists, making sure Proxima runs according to schedule and that all safety protocols are in place. He also handles Proxima’s shipping, receiving, and maintenance, repairing anything device still repairable.

John is also an essential part of the science team, maintaining inventory, preparing media, and supporting other activities at the bench. Never one to shy away from the dreaded “other duties as assigned”, he has recently taken on the role of Proxima’s Brood Mother, caring for the Parasteatoda tepidariorum (common house spider), Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly), and other organisms used in Proxima’s research.  

Q: What drew you down this career path? A: …Nepotism? I’ve known Zach since high school.

Q: What do you love about science? A: How much more you can learn when something doesn’t work, as opposed to when it does.

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you? A: I am in the process of self-publishing a trilogy of fantasy novels. Still need to edit and publish the third book.

Gabby Mercier, B.Sc

Staff Scientist

Gabby completed her undergraduate degree in cell biology and is currently working on completing her master’s degree in biochemistry at the University of Saskatchewan. She has previously studied the mechanisms of multiple drug resistance in breast cancer and applies her expertise in biochemical techniques at Proxima. A French Canadian, Gabby contributes to the company’s research and development activities and supports Proxima clients in French.  

Q: What do you love most about science? A: It allows me to appreciate the extraordinary complexity of our world and of our existence.

Q: What is one of the more interesting pieces of science trivia you’ve come across? A: Certain animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria can survive in extremely cold temperatures due to the presence of antifreeze proteins. These specialized proteins adsorb onto ice crystals and prevent the organism from freezing.

Valeria Martinez, B.Sc

Staff Scientist

Valeria completed her Bachelor of Science in biotechnology from Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas – ESPE in Ecuador and is currently completing her master’s degree in food sciences and bioproducts at the University of Saskatchewan. She has previously worked on the progerin protein, a cause of the premature ageing syndrome progeria. Her thesis work focuses on enhancing clearance of cytotoxic proteins by activating the anaphase promoting complex.

In previous roles, Valeria has worked as a microbiology technician, analyzing food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, soil, water, and environmental samples. Emigrated from Ecuador, Valeria contributes to Proxima research and development activities and is the Proxima representative for our customers and collaborators in Mexico. 

Q: What drew you down this career path? A: I’ve been fascinated by nature since I was a kid; biology and sciences were my favorite subjects. So, I studied biotechnology engineering in my bachelor degree, which opened my mind to question what is happening around me, to try to understand nature and create new technologies.

Q: What do you love most about science? A: Science helps us to have an open mind and a curios mind, awakening the inner child that wanted to explore the world. What I love abut science is the potential to solve problems and create new products. For example, producing milk by fermentation and not using animals at all. This not only has an impact on food security, but also on animal welfare.

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you? A: Even though I love climbing, I am really scared of highs. But for me life is about overcoming our fears and pushing ourselves to our limits. And at the end, when you are at the top of a mountain, feel proud and happy of have tried in spite of fear.

The application of microscopy to the analysis of b

This darkfield microscope image shows a variety of

A fluorescence microscope image of bacteria and a

A darkfield microscope image of the yeast Saccharo

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