Board of
Directors

Sogol Asghari holds a Master’s degree in textile sciences and has extensive experience in the fashion, clothing, and medical device industries. Currently, she is working as a Senior Textile Research and Development Specialist at PRIMED Medical Products Inc. in Edmonton, Alberta and in the Greater Toronto Area of, Ontario. Her vast expertise with fabrics, sourcing, and product development allows her a pivotal role in both fashion-forward clothing lines development and medical textiles. Sogol's skill in product development and project management ensures successful outcomes, while her passion for integrating traditional practices with modern technology fosters innovation. 

Md. Saiful Hoque serves as a researcher in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta, specializing in smart fibres and fabric development. His research interests include protective clothing, personal protective equipment, polymeric material innovation, and sustainable textile materials. With over eight years of comprehensive experience in teaching, research, and industrial settings, he has earned his expertise in material characterization, textile sustainability, knitwear composite manufacturing, and project management. Dr. Hoque is passionate about contributing to the evolution of the fibre and polymer industry through his knowledge and skill set, aiming to advance industry innovation and sustainability practices. 

Martin entered the textile world by accident in 2017, when the yarn manufacturer FilSpec was looking for new R&D staff. With a background in chemistry and microbiology, he blended his scientific research mindset into the company’s product development process. He enjoys working in this small innovative and visionary spinning company that provides the opportunity for him to wear many hats. Over the years with FilSpec, Martin has acquired skills in prototyping, quality, information technology, technical documentation, and even logistics. Currently, he is mostly involved in continuous improvement and new product introduction. He has been an active ITS member since 2018.  

Jemma Forgie currently serves as the Secretary for the ITS Board of Directors. Jemma is a Ph.D. student at the University of Alberta, studying textile sciences. Her research focuses on the alterations that female firefighters are making to their fire protective clothing to improve the fit and function of their clothing. Her research aims to bring light to the gender inequities faced by wearers of protective clothing and to understand how customization of protective clothing can be achieved without compromising the user's safety. Jemma has also studied the electrospinning of aramid nanofibres and has a keen interest in textile and apparel sustainability. 

Dr. Josephine Bolaji is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Florida State University in the United States. She obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Textile Science & Technology from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria, her Doctorate in Human Ecology with a focus on Textile and Apparel Science from the University of Alberta, and a diploma in Supply Chain Management from triOS College in Ontario. As a Textile Science Expert, Dr. Bolaji's research interests lie in protective clothing, product development, body anthropometrics, and sustainability. 

Patricia Dolez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Ecology at the University of Alberta. She holds an engineering degree in Materials Science and a Ph.D. in Physics. Her research focuses on the application of nanotechnologies, smart textiles, natural fibres, and recycled materials in personal protective equipment as well as in the aging behaviour of protective materials. She chairs the Canadian Mirror Committee on ISO/TC 94 SC13 on protective clothing. She has a track record of successful industry collaborations and more than 250 publications. She is the editor/co-editor of two textbooks published by Elsevier: 'Nanoengineering - Global Approaches to Health and Safety Issues' and 'Advanced Characterization and Testing of Textiles'. 

Mazeyar Parvinzadeh Gashti currently holds a full-time Assistant Professor position at the Department of Chemistry at Pittsburg State University in Kansas, US. Dr. Gashti's research interests focus on fabrication of both nanofibres and advanced coatings for textiles. He holds a Ph.D. in textile chemistry. From 2011 until 2017, he completed three postdoctoral fellowships at: the University of Bern in Switzerland and Laval University and McGill University in Quebec. He has 20 years of experience leading high-impact research projects in textile, composite, and polymer manufacturing with companies in Canada and the USA. Dr. Gashti's inclusion in Stanford University's World’s Top 2% Scientists list for five consecutive years highlights his substantial contributions to the field.  

Dr. Narayana, currently Lead Textile Engineer at Texavie Technologies Inc, Vancouver, previously held roles as a Research Associate/Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of British Columbia (2018-2023) through a prestigious Mitacs Elevate fellowship. His PhD, obtained from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2018, specialized in smart memory polymeric materials for advanced compression therapy. Expertise includes soft goods sensors integration into devices, prototyping AI-powered wearables like Smart Gloves and Smart Knee Sleeves for digital healthcare, VR, sports/fitness. At Texavie, he contributed to major projects from the Canadian National Defence and Canadian Space Agency, focusing on wearable energy harvesting textile solutions.

Elena Kosareva holds a Ph.D. in Textile and Apparel Science from the University of Alberta and MSc in Engineering and Technology of Garments from the Saint Petersburg State University of Industrial Technology and Design in Russia. Her research interest focuses on protective/functional clothing systems and equipment. Elena conducted and contributed to many research projects related to protective clothing/equipment for wildland firefighters, military personal, sportswear, etc. Her expertise includes textile analysis and testing as well as the design, engineering, and technology of garments. Elena is a recipient of multiple awards for outstanding academic achievements also excellence in teaching, research, and academic service.