Management Team

Prof Murray McEwan (Chief Technology Officer)

Professor McEwan is the author of more than 50 papers on the subject and applications of SIFT-MS and has five patents pending relating to SIFT-MS work. Professor McEwan is a global recognised authority on SIFT-MS and has presented to many conferences over his 20+ years involvement in SIFT-MS research. Professor McEwan is a Physical Chemist and brings great experience with the reaction chemistry involved with SIFT-MS. He has supervised and actively participated in the construction of previous SIFT-MS equipment at the University of Canterbury. Professor McEwan spends 75% of his time working for Syft. The other 25% is spent as a full professor at the University of Canterbury Chemistry department.

Ernest Killian (Production and Engineering Manager)

Syft appointed Ernest as Production/Quality Manager in order to ensure design (and ultimately) manufacture of its products would be done to international standards. Ernest comes to Syft with a wealth of experience gained from work in other high-tech start-up businesses and established OEMs alike. His strengths are in the area of project and contract management, quality processes and business operations. He completed his B.E. in Germany and finished his MBA at the Universityof Canterbury. He is responsible for designing and implementing Syft’s quality system as well as the mechanical design and assembly of prototype instruments.

Dr Jenny Scotter (Medical Projects)

Jenny joined Syft late 2004. She is responsible for advancing the scientific and commercial medical applications programme. Jenny has a PhD in microbiology, specialising in the development and evaluation of novel, rapid diagnostics for infectious diseases. She has managed clinical trials and collaborated in international research programmes, including secondment to a hospital research laboratory in Germany. Jenny also has hands-on experience working in the commercial diagnostic industry.

Dr Stephen Guilfoyle (European Sales Manager)

Stephen joined Syft from a position as Sales and Marketing Manager with mass spectrometry specialists, GV Instruments. Prior to joining Syft he was International Sales Manager for semiconductor manufacturers Thermo VG Semicon. Stephen has a PhD in Physics and experience in the mass spectrometry field from the technical installation level, right through all stages of the sales and product development process. His primary role is to create direct sales in the UK and Europe and to support and develop the European distributor base who are actively marketing Syft products in Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and France.