This panel will explore whether AI can meaningfully strengthen research integrity or whether it accelerates existing vulnerabilities in the publishing system, and what this means for funders, institutions, and policymakers who rely on scholarly evidence. Panelists will explore how openness, governance, accountability, and policy frameworks must evolve to sustain trust in an AI-mediated research ecosystem.
Dr. Barnaby Crook completed an MA in philosophy and neuroscience at the Humboldt University of Berlin in 2021 and a PhD in the philosophy of artificial intelligence at the University of Bayreuth in 2025. After moving from Germany to Toronto, Dr. Crook began working for MDPI as an Assistant Editor with the journal IJERPH. He now works as a Regional Engagement Editor for North America. In this role, Dr. Crook builds and maintains relationships with academic stakeholders, fostering collaboration and developing partnerships. He is passionate about scientific communication and research integrity.
Dr. Aneliia (Annie) Chatterjee is the Open Access and Scholarly Communications Librarian at NJIT University Libraries. She works with faculty, researchers, and students on open scholarship initiatives, with expertise in scholarly communication, open access, institutional repositories, research visibility and impact, research data management, open access policy, and the development of open access agreement evaluation rubrics. Her work also explores the use of AI in libraries and strategies that support research dissemination and impact.
Prior to NJIT, Dr. Chatterjee held leadership positions in academic libraries and worked in corporate research in New York. She holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Rowan University, along with Master’s degrees in Library and Information Science from Pratt Institute and Sofia University. Her research interests include transformative learning, open access, and the evolving role of libraries in higher education.
Mehnaz Tabassum is a true embodiment of multipotentiality, bringing together leadership across entrepreneurship, technology, investment, community impact, innovation, and public service. With more than 10 years of professional experience and as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Mehnaz possesses a unique combination of business acumen, systems thinking, and social impact leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a Certificate in Public Policy from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Mehnaz previously served as a Senior IT Manager with the Government of Canada, where she was among the youngest professionals to hold leadership roles of this nature. During her tenure, she led digital transformation initiatives across multiple branches including the Canada Revenue Agency’s Security Branch (ASB), Human Resources Branch (HRB), and Assessment, Benefits and Services Branch (ABSB). She became recognized for driving agile leadership practices, leading high-impact projects, and fostering innovation within complex organizational environments.
Today, Mehnaz is the CEO of FOOD FORWARD, a national platform and ecosystem initiative bringing together leaders across food systems, agriculture, aquaculture, technology, investment, policy, and sustainability to accelerate innovation and shape the future of food. Through FOOD FORWARD, she has helped build partnerships across industry, government, academia, and entrepreneurial communities to advance meaningful conversations and action at national and international levels.
She is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of NL Eats Community Outreach Inc., a federally registered charity focused on addressing food insecurity, advancing sustainable food systems, empowering youth, and creating opportunities through innovation and agritech. Under her leadership, the organization has created project opportunities for more than 350 youth and positively impacted over 4,000 community members.
In addition, Mehnaz is the Founder and CEO of CogniCo AI Consulting, where she works with organizations to integrate AI, automation, digital transformation strategies, and future-ready workforce solutions. She actively supports organizations in navigating technological change while building practical and human-centered approaches to AI adoption. As a thought leader and angel investor, Mehnaz is passionate about identifying emerging opportunities, supporting innovation ecosystems, and helping build ventures that create both economic and social impact.
Beyond organizational leadership, Mehnaz is deeply committed to people development and servant leadership. Through her consulting work, she coaches individuals on career development, mentors newcomers in partnership with the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), and supports organizations navigating digital transformation and innovation. Her experience also includes serving as Vice President of Operations with Project Management Institute OVOC and contributing as a board member for the Food Policy Council, Government of Newfoundland’s Premier’s Youth Policy Council, and Global Vision.
Mehnaz is also a sought-after public speaker and thought leader, frequently invited to share insights on leadership, AI and digital transformation, entrepreneurship, innovation ecosystems, career growth, and the future of work. She continues to build platforms at the intersection of AI, technology, social innovation, future workforce development, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem building.
Mehnaz is also recognized as a QECT100 Leader, reflecting her contributions to leadership, innovation, and community impact.
Her outstanding contributions have earned numerous awards and recognitions including the 2024 Most Inspiring Immigrant in Atlantic Canada, CRA Award of Excellence (2022), Women of Distinction (2020), Young Entrepreneur Award (2019), Chancellor’s Undergraduate Leadership Award (2021), and the Feeding 9 Billion Award (2018). She has also been nominated for prestigious honors including the IPAC Emerging Leader Award, Atlantic Top 50 CEOs, and the Diana Award.
With expertise spanning project management, digital transformation, business analytics, public policy, technology strategy, leadership, entrepreneurship, AI adoption, social innovation, investment, and community development, Mehnaz Tabassum continues to build impactful initiatives that bridge people, technology, and purpose.
With a PhD in Molecular Biology, I bridge the gap between complex scientific research and cutting-edge technology. Currently, I serve as an AI Product Owner at MDPI, where I specialize in integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning into the scientific publishing industry. My work focuses on developing data-driven solutions that enhance editorial workflows, optimize peer review processes, and strengthen research integrity.
I am deeply committed to the principles of Open Science, leveraging AI-powered tools to make scientific discovery more transparent, efficient, and accessible. By transforming internal tools into high-precision, commercial-grade platforms, I aim to foster a more open and trustworthy research ecosystem that accelerates global innovation.
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Innovation Policy refers to policies and public strategies, regulations, and initiatives aimed at promoting the development, diffusion, and application of new ideas, technologies, products, and services. It seeks to enhance capacity for innovation to drive economic growth, competitiveness, and social well-being. Innovation policy encompasses support for research and development (R&D), entrepreneurship and education, digital infrastructure, social innovation and collaboration between industry, academia, and government.
Science for Policy refers to the use of scientific knowledge, evidence, and expertise to inform and support decision-making in public policy. It involves translating complex scientific research into accessible insights that can guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies across various sectors, including (but not limited to) health, environment, technology, security, education, justice. Science for policy emphasizes evidence-based policymaking, where decisions are grounded in reliable data and research and knowledge rather than opinion or ideology.
Policy for Science refers to the set of governmental policies or institutional strategies, decisions, and frameworks that shape the funding, priorities, infrastructure, and governance of scientific research and development. It involves creating conditions that support scientific innovation, including investments in research institutions, training of scientists and development of science infrastructure, research integrity, EDIA, and international collaboration, ultimately aiming to strengthen the scientific enterprise to advance knowledge,economic development, and societal well-being.
Science for Policy refers to the use of scientific knowledge, evidence, and expertise to inform and support decision-making in public policy. It involves translating complex scientific research into accessible insights that can guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies across various sectors, including (but not limited to) health, environment, technology, security, education, justice. Science for policy emphasizes evidence-based policymaking, where decisions are grounded in reliable data and research and knowledge rather than opinion or ideology.
Science & Society refers to areas that strengthen public understanding and engagement with science, including the relationship between science and society. This includes but is not limited to science communication, education, journalism, public engagement, and citizen science and more.
