Akshay Talekar leads artificial intelligence and data science initiatives at the Materials Discovery Research Institute. His work centers on designing and implementing robust machine learning and data platforms that tightly integrate with automated research systems, accelerating experimentation, improving reproducibility, and enabling large-scale insight across diverse domains of materials science.

He has architected secure, scalable data infrastructures connecting laboratory instruments, databases, and analytical platforms, while driving multi-team collaborations that bridge software engineering, automation, and scientific research. Talekar also plays a key role in shaping the lab’s AI vision, regularly engaging with executive leadership and external partners to align technological innovation with institutional goals.

Talekar holds an M.S. in mathematics and statistics with a specialization in biostatistics from the University of Ottawa.