Dr. Tonya Wolfe to lead applied research at Red Deer Polytechnic

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is pleased to announce that Dr. Tonya Wolfe has been appointed to the role of Associate Vice President of Applied Research.

Dr. Wolfe began her employment at Red Deer Polytechnic in 2020 as the Director for Manufacturing and Energy Innovation. Throughout her time at RDP, she has played an integral role in leading the growth and development of the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing (CIM-TAC) and Energy Innovation Centre, and in RDP being ranked first nationally for applied research growth and recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Applied Research Colleges in 2021. 

“We are extremely excited to have Dr. Wolfe take on this new role with Red Deer Polytechnic,” says Patrick Machacek, Vice President, Development and Partnerships. “RDP’s applied research centres are working with industry and community partners to find solutions for the betterment of our society and economy. As the Associate Vice President of Applied Research, Dr. Wolfe will provide leadership across Red Deer Polytechnic for the benefit of our external partners, and also provide dynamic one-of-a-kind learning spaces for our students as we continue to grow and expand our applied research programs and services.”  

Along with continuing to provide leadership in applied research in the CIM-TAC and Energy Innovation Centre, Dr. Wolfe will be integral in growing applied research opportunities with the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre and new and existing industry partners.  

As a recognized leader in Alberta’s innovation space, Dr. Wolfe contributes to several groups of professionals. She is a founding member of the Alberta Additive Manufacturing Network which creates a collaborative space for Alberta industry to explore and grow additive manufacturing.

Dr. Wolfe is also a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society. She holds a Professional Engineering designation (P.Eng), a Bachelor of Applied Science from Queen’s University and graduate degrees from the University of Alberta. 

Dr. Wolfe will begin her new role on August 1.