Tonya Wolfe, PhD, P.Eng

Dr. Tonya Wolfe, PhD P.Eng, is Red Deer Polytechnic’s Associate Vice President, Applied Research. Since arriving at RDP in 2020, she has spearheaded the growth and development of the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing (CIM-TAC) and the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC). Her leadership significantly contributed to RDP’s recognition as one of Canada’s Top 50 Applied Research Colleges and #1 national ranking for applied research growth in 2021.

Recognized as a leader in Alberta’s innovation space, Tonya’s areas of expertise include metallurgy, materials design, additive manufacturing, welding, wear resistant materials, steelmaking, biomedical engineering, and process modeling. She holds a Professional Engineering designation (P.Eng), a Bachelor of Applied Science from Queen’s University, and graduate degrees from the University of Alberta. Her MSc investigated the use of biomaterials for prosthetic applications and her PhD studied composite overlays deposited by plasma-transferred arc welding.

Tonya has spent more than two decades building connections and working to advance technology and innovation with Alberta’s business and industry. She is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, and a founding member of the Alberta Additive Manufacturing Network. 

In her current role as AVP Applied Research, Tonya provides leadership for applied research activities across Red Deer Polytechnic and is accountable for several key areas within the Polytechnic including the CIM-TAC, the EIC, and RDP’s partnership with the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC). These teams of subject matter experts collaborate with clients on innovative solutions to their industrial and business challenges in energy and manufacturing.

Tonya also directs Red Deer Polytechnic’s participation in the innovation ecosystem, which includes RDP’s community of researchers, educators and students, innovation partners and funders, industry leaders and small-medium enterprises, and fellow academic and polytechnic institutions.

In her spare time, Tonya competes as a Masters Synchronized Swimmer and is a leader with the Girl Guides of Canada, an organization she has been a member of for over 40 years.

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