A national research facility of the University of Saskatchewan, the CLS is one of the largest science projects in Canada’s history and a critical tool for Canadian research and development.
More than 1,000 academic, government, and industry scientists from around the world use the CLS every year, developing innovative solutions in health, agriculture, environment, and advanced materials.
We hope our website will spark your interest in light source-enabled research. Our aim is to provide you with the most up-to-date information on our scientific programs, operations, and services available to current and prospective users.
Please do not hesitate to contact any member of our team if you have any questions, or would like to explore further how CLS can advance your research or R&D objectives. We are committed to strengthening our capacity, our scientific programs and our industry engagement, to ensure the success of our clients and maximize our impact.
Bill Matiko, CPA, CA, CBV
Chief Executive Officer
Bill Matiko joined the CLS in April 2019 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In September 2020, Bill took on the additional role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) until February 2023, when he was appointed CLS CEO.
As CEO, Bill’s primary responsibility is the operational and strategic administration of the facility, including securing and managing the operating budget. Bill also oversees all operations to ensure consistency with strategic plans and direction, and compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Before joining the CLS, Bill was the COO and CFO at Suncorp Valuations, a global provider of appraisal, business valuation, and risk management services. He started his professional career with Deloitte, where he obtained his Chartered Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator designations. Bill spent close to 20 years with the Deloitte Financial Advisory team, where he eventually became a Partner and led the Business Valuation and Litigation Support services practice for the province of Saskatchewan. At Deloitte he served clients in the public, private, government and not-for-profit sectors across Canada, the US, and Mexico.
Bill graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Commerce with Great Distinction, majoring in Accounting.
Ingrid Pickering, PhD, FRSC
Chief Science Officer
Ingrid Pickering joined CLS in August 2024 as Chief Science Officer (CSO). Concurrently, she is a Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Molecular Environmental Science at the University of Saskatchewan, where she also leads the NSERC CREATE to INSPIRE graduate training program associated with the CLS.
As CSO, Ingrid manages, guides, and builds relationships nationally and internationally, to help ensure CLS remains a leading synchrotron with a global reputation for attracting leading-edge researchers. Ingrid also leads the development and implementation of CLS’s science strategy, ensures the Industry Services group brings the benefits of synchrotron science to industry, and that CLS’s experimental facilities and related scientific programs remain competitive with third-generation synchrotrons worldwide.
Ingrid holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry from Imperial College London (UK). She moved to USask in 2003 following an appointment at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource in California. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2018 and served as Chairperson of the Board for the Canada Foundation for Innovation from 2018 to 2024.
Chithra Karunakaran, PhD, C.Mgr, MBA
Director of Science and Innovation
Chithra Karunakaran was appointed CLS Director of Science and Innovation in June 2024, after serving as Interim Science Director since September 2023. Prior to that, in her role as Science Manager for Environmental and Earth Sciences, Chithra led and grew the CLS plant imaging and innovation research program and promoted the innovative use of synchrotron techniques for agricultural and food sciences research.
In her current role, Chithra oversees the efficient operation of the Science Division, and ensures CLS experimental facilities and scientific programs remain competitive with other third-generation synchrotrons. Chithra also supports the Chief Science Officer in the creation of a science strategy and in enabling the Canadian scientific community to do outstanding research using high-brilliance synchrotron radiation.
Chithra completed her Masters and PhD in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Manitoba. In 2016 she became a Chartered Professional Manager (C.Mgr.) and in 2021 obtained her MBA from the University of London. Currently, she is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Manitoba.
Lisa Olson, B.Comm, CPHR
Director of Human Resources
Lisa Olson joined CLS in November 2022. As Director of Human Resources, she is responsible for all aspects of human resource management for the organization, including ensuring corporate compliance with HR-relevant legislation and regulations, and mitigating risk applicable to the HR function. Lisa also leads development and implementation of the CLS’s human resource strategy, in alignment with the organization’s overall strategic plan.
Prior to joining the CLS, Lisa was HR Director for the Saskatoon Police Service. She has been an HR practitioner for over 25 years, with extensive experience in employment, training, performance management, organizational development, disability assistance, and occupational health and safety.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan, a Diploma in Strategic Human Resource Management for Police Organizations from Dalhousie University, and a Labour-Management Certificate and Advanced Human Resources Diploma from Queen’s University
David Patola, CPA, CA
Director of Finance
David Patola joined CLS in June of 2023. As Director of Finance, David provides strategic leadership for the Finance Division and its related systems, including core financial services, procurement, corporate reporting, and contracts.
Before coming to the CLS, David was the Finance Business Advisor for the College of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan. David spent nearly 18 years Saskatchewan Blue Cross, where he held executive leadership positions in finance, administration, and operations. He also worked as Controller for Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, David is active as a volunteer in the community and is a past Chair and Director for Emmanuel Health Inc, which oversees 12 non-profit health care organizations around Saskatchewan. He continues to serve on the company’s Audit and Finance Committee.
Dustin Wasyliw, BSc
Director of Information Technology
Dustin joined the CLS in 2019 as Systems Technology Infrastructure Lead, was promoted to System Technology Manager in 2020, and appointed Director of IT in 2023.
He is responsible for developing and executing CLS’s technology infrastructure and strategy, with a focus on software, data acquisition, controls systems, and data and cyber security strategy. Dustin leads and manages a team of IT professionals, collaborating with business and scientific leaders to identify technology opportunities, and ensuring our technology aligns with our overall strategic goals.
An experienced IT professional, Dustin has a strong background in enterprise resource management, lifecycle management, large-scale data warehousing and aggregation, and process and manufacturing automation.
Dustin has a Computer Systems Technology diploma from SIAST, a Bachelor of Computer Science degree from the University of Saskatchewan, and many certifications, including ITIL, MSCE, MCSD and CISSP.
Tim West, PhD
Director of Operations
Tim joined the CLS as General Manager in 2020, and became the Director of Operations in 2023.
As Director of Operations, Tim leads business operations, ensuring alignment with operational and business needs in order to deliver on the scientific mandate of CLS. He oversees the collaboration between staff, leadership, and the Board of Directors, to develop and achieve strategic and operational objectives, and is also the designated Research Security Officer, managing our facility’s research security policy.
Before coming to the CLS, Tim held senior leadership positions with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, focused on safety culture, quality, continuous improvement, and operational and strategic management. As a former pharmacy owner with Target Canada, Tim also has experience in the private sector.
Tim obtained his PhD in Social Administrative Pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan, and has several certificates in lean, rapid process improvement, and quality improvement. He recently received his Project Management Professional Certification.