ABOUT CUTRIC
Our Successful Team of
Professionals
The work we do at the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation
Consortium (CUTRIC) is made possible by our many industry-leading consultants,
public relations officers, coordinators, project managers and executive team.


Petrunic
President & CEO, CUTRIC
As the President & CEO of CUTRIC, Dr. Josipa Petrunic is leading the formulation of national transportation and energy systems analyses, including battery electric vehicles (BEV), hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and zero-emissions transit technologies.
As one of Canada’s leading experts in Zero-Emissions Bus (ZEB) innovation deployment projects, Dr. Petrunic has designed, developed and launched the Pan-Canadian Electric Bus Demonstration & Integration Trial (Phases I-II), the Pan-Canadian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Demonstration…
Education
PhD – Science and Technology Studies (Economics and Mathematics Stream), University of Edinburgh
M.Sc. – Science and Technology Studies (Economics and Mathematics Stream), University of Edinburgh
M.Sc. – Political Science and Public Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science
BJ – Political Science and Journalism, Carleton University
The foundation of her career focused on developing the processes, people, and systems to support strategic goals. Over the last 15 years her operations expertise expanded to include finding, developing and managing significant domestic and international partnerships. Most recently, she led and managed government and industry partnerships that supported the development of large strategic initiatives including leading a proposal to support the $400M ENCQOR proposal submission that brought pre-commercial 5G R&D infrastructure to small and medium companies in Ontario and Quebec. An earlier IBM transit smartcard proposal valued at $200M harnessed IBM’s global knowledge base, local and international partners, and technology credentials to create a competitive market position.
Known for her strategic and grounded approach, Ms. Davies received an MBA from Ivey Business School and B. Math from the University of Waterloo and received her management consulting and project management training at IBM’s global training facilities.
Marianne focuses on building trust with CEOs and owners. She partners with them to convert their strategic visions into productive and growth building initiatives. Marianne rapidly assesses a situation and identifies quick wins and long-term opportunities to maximize the value of their company, while mitigating risk. She rolls up her sleeves and collaboratively customizes a sustainable plan to improve the company’s financial health.
Her experience includes working with owners and executives across all business lines to help them to see the bigger financial picture including all elements that support a positive cash flow. She speaks your language about your operations and translates numbers into something that supports you in reaching your operational goals. Marianne is a firm believer in solving challenging areas through group buy-in to achieve better profitability.
Marianne holds a Finance and Accounting Bachelor’s degree from the University of Applied Sciences in Austria and is a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Canadian Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Marianne is based in Toronto, Canada.
Her management experience, combined with her years of experience as a managerial attorney in labour and employment law as well as in occupational health and safety law, has bestowed her with a global understanding and vision that allows her to adopt strategies that encompass all aspects of the business.
ZEB Consulting Services
Prior to CUTRIC, Parvathy worked in project management, environmental consulting, quality control, research, teaching and knowledge translation at various organizations. She is a certified six sigma black belt (ASQ CSSBB®) from the American Society for Quality (ASQ), project management professional (PMP®), and a certified Environmental Professional (EP®) from ECO Canada.
Parvathy Pillai is currently based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Hon. B.Sc. – Life Sciences, McMaster University
Hon. B.Sc. – Chemistry, McMaster University
Roberto previously worked with electrical measurement techniques to retrieve microscopic information on electrochemical cells and nano-structured samples. His research interests include the electrical characterization, modelling and simulation of electrical devices, sensors, and electrochemical cells. He contributed to the development of the measurement theory of Impedances by investigating constraints imposed on measured data by physical principles such as causality relations.
Dr. Roberto Sardenberg is currently based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
M.Sc. – Physics, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
BSc – Physics, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
Previously, Mr. Basu has worked as a research and development engineer. He was responsible for combustion hardware selection, engine calibration and testing, system validation, on-board diagnostics (OBD), and after-sales field support for common rail diesel engines. He has experience in valvetrain modelling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), engine development for emission compliance, and has published papers and co-authored chapters for scientific publications such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and SpringerLink.
Mr. Basu is currently based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
BE – Mechanical Engineering, University of Technology of Madhya Pradesh
Junli received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences Co-op with a specialization in Geographic Information System (GIS) from McMaster University and he is currently pursuing the GIS Professional (GISP®) designation.
Prior to CUTRIC, Junli worked as a GIS Technician for Ontario Land Trust Alliance. He created the maps and geoprocessed spatial data through ArcGIS to support various land conservation projects. During Junli’s co-op, Junli utilized his GIS knowledge and geospatial techniques to support electric mobility data analysis for McMaster Institute for Transportation & Logistics and to assist the implementation of Source Protection Plans for the Regional Municipality of Halton.
Junli Hu is currently based in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.
Zahara Hassan is the Zero-Emission Bus Simulation GIS Technician responsible for working on ZEB predictive modelling and geospatial data analysis aiding cities and transit agencies across Canada and the US to plan their fleet electrification. She is also working to enhance the functionality of the RoutΣ.i 2.0 modelling tool.
Prior to CUTRIC, Zahara worked in the geospatial field on road infrastructure assets within the transportation industry. Her professional experiences are primarily related to the use of GIS applications to solve contemporary urban and environmental challenges and the role that smart, sustainable transportation and infrastructure play in the development of vibrant and resilient cities.
Zahara Hassan is currently based in Ontario.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
Ms. Choudhury has worked in various sectors like Energy, Environment, Wildlife, Mental Health and Education. Prior to CUTRIC, she worked as a researcher with the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association to solve the existing issues faced by urban Indigenous people in Canada.
Ms. Choudhury has a Masters in Anthropology from the University of Alberta, and a Masters in Ecology and Sustainable Development from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India.
Titash Choudhury is currently based in Edmonton, Alberta.
M.A – Ecology Environment, and Sustainable Development, Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Hon. B.Sc – Microbiology, West Bengal State University
He utilizes his demonstrated expertise in the electricity distribution utility industry for CUTRIC’s ZEB Consulting Services Team to contribute to the needs assessment from an electrical and technical standpoint for energy transition and ZEB implementation.
Membership Success
Prior to CUTRIC, Ms. Assunçao-Denis worked as a transportation planner and project manager at several international organizations including ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) and UN-Habitat. She has contributed to public policies, active and public transportation projects as well as urban and community development proposals. Before moving back to Canada in 2019, she worked a few years in international and community development, which led her to live in seven countries over four continents. She also studied bicycle planning, architecture and graphic design, and she is a published researcher in the field of active transportation. She is fluent in French, English and Spanish, and also speaks Portuguese.
Marie-Ève Assunçao-Denis is currently based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Planning the Cycling City Summer School, University of Amsterdam’s Urban Cycling Institute
AA Mexico City Visiting School, Architectural Association School of Architecture
B.A. – International Development Studies and Political Science, McGill University
Certificate in International Cooperation, University of Montreal
A.C.S. – Community Development and Intercultural Relations, Marie-Victorin College
Government & Public Relations
Prior to CUTRIC, Grace worked as an Executive Assistant and Office Manager in Toronto and was previously an ESL Teacher in Austria, Scotland and Spain.
Grace Reilly is currently based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Prior to CUTRIC, Ms. Arif received a combined Honours in Communication and Media Studies and Political Science degree from Carleton University and a Journalism diploma from Seneca College. She has worked as a multimedia journalist, marketing and communications manager, and community development coordinator. She is fluent in English, Urdu and Hindi.
Hafsa Arif is currently based in Ajax, Ontario, Canada.
DI.J – Journalism, Seneca College
With a B.Sc. from McGill, Leah specializes in translating technical and scientific information into content for a general audience. She has written on behalf of cabinet ministers, senior executives and Canada’s Chief Science Advisor, and has been published in university and trade magazines.
Leah Geller is currently based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Coordination & Operations
Jess sits on Fierté Canada Pride’s Board of Directors as Vice President of Governance, and does activist work for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Prior to CUTRIC, they worked as a Legal Coordinator and Digital Producer in Halifax.
Jess Smith is currently based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Prior to CUTRIC, Melissa worked as a Professional Officer of Marketing and Communications at the City of Cape Town (South Africa).
Melissa Heynes is currently based in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada.
Commercialization
Prior to CUTRIC, Conrad coordinated communications for net zero pathways in Canada. Before that, he worked in project management for Low Carbon Transport on policy and demonstration efforts, Cleantech Innovation for start-ups, and Industrial Energy Efficiency systems solutions with specialized international organizations. He is an Accredited Change Management Specialist (ACM Specialist) and is working towards his PMP. Conrad received his Bachelor of Arts in International Studies including his Honours Degree in Political Science from Stellenbosch University in South Africa. He obtained his joint Master of Arts Degree in Global Studies from the University of Wrocław in Poland and the University of Vienna in Austria.
Conrad is currently based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Project Management Professional (Candidate), PMI
M.A. – Global Studies (Energy Governance), University of Wrocław & University of Vienna
B.A. Honours – Political Science, Stellenbosch University
B.A. – International Studies, Stellenbosch University
Prior to joining CUTRIC, Saumya has most recently worked as an energy-efficiency programming consultant, policy researcher at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, and a thought leader at a co-founded sustainability education and consulting organization. Prior to postgraduation, Saumya worked for several years as a project planner on Engineering – Procurement – Construction (EPC) projects in the midstream oil and gas industry in Canada and Malaysia.
Saumya Bhavsar is currently based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
M.Sc. – Sustainability and Social Innovation, HEC Paris, France
B.Tech. – Production Engineering, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) Surat, India
Prior to CUTRIC, Maria led integrated physical security projects with the introduction of new technology in transportation facilities with the Government of Canada. She participated in the development of the Confederation Line, the Ottawa Light Rail Transit project and the Hwy 417 Expansion project. She holds the Next Generation Transportation certificate from the Simon Fraser University and has a Master of Science in Logistics Management with Transportation System concentration from the Universidad Nacional de la Fuerza Armada Nacional in Venezuela.
Maria Pinto is currently based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
M.Sc. – Logistics Management (Transportations Systems Concentration), Universidad de la Fuerza Armada Nacional, Venezuela
B. Sc. – Architecture, Universidad de los Andes, Venezuela
Advanced Technician – Design of Civil Engineering Construction, IUT Antonio José de Sucre, Venezuela