Upkar Singh Tatlay (he/him/his) resides and works on the unceded territory of the Semiahmoo First Nation where he oversees research, data-collection, and the development of health care innovations and experimental development R&D projects at Oxus Machine Works Ltd. In addition to this, he is an academic supervisor who provides research consultancy services to government, health authorities, academic institutions, and centres for disease control. Upkar is also the Executive Director of Engaged Communities Canada Society, a non-profit organization that hosts projects pertaining to youth sport development, mentorship, food security, hygiene, and health awareness. He has delivered targeted solutions on climate change, substance use (Overdose Intervention App and S.A.L.M.O.N. Project), homelessness (Fresh Start project), food insecurity (Spirit of Surrey), and youth challenges (RSBA). His academic credentials include certifications from the Justice Institute of BC, degrees from the University of Victoria, and the University of British Columbia where he helped establish the Scientific Creative Quarterly. Upkar’s career highlights include: Associate General at WSA in Washington D.C., position as a Firefighter, residential school claims researcher, reservist in the Canadian Navy, Deputy Ombudsman, and pharmaceuticals researcher. He has authored articles on climate change, genetics, gmo’s, health care cooperatives, and nuclear non-proliferation. Following his impactful work as Chair of Surrey Libraries, Upkar is the current Vice President of the DIVERSEcity Board of Directors, Director at SHER Vancouver, and a member of the South Asian Covid Taskforce. He is a strategic advisor on numerous startups, the host of the “Hypatia Talks” podcast, Co-founder of Sundar Expo 2022, a Commissioner with Vital Statistics BC, and a member of the Radius SFU innovation hub.