Applied science
Human performance, sports nutrition and evidence-based product development. Connecting research with decisions people can use.
Scientist. Entrepreneur. Mentor.
Dr. Darren Burke
Turning science into something useful.
I build companies, mentor founders and help turn research into practical ideas. My work connects human performance, product innovation and entrepreneurship.
PhD in Exercise PhysiologyUniversity of Saskatchewan, 2001
Research & teachingSt. Francis Xavier University · McMaster University
Company buildingRivalus · Outcast Foods · Headstrong
My foundation is exercise physiology. After earning a PhD at the University of Saskatchewan, I built a research and teaching career at St. Francis Xavier University, focusing on sports nutrition, metabolism and human performance.
In 2008, I left a tenured university position to build Rivalus. That experience changed how I think about science: knowledge matters most when it helps people. Since then, I have built and advised companies across sports nutrition, sustainable food technology and brain health.
Today, I work with founders, students and research teams to test ideas, make practical decisions and build businesses that can last.
Where I focus
Science, business and the people building both.
Founder mentoring
Practical conversations about validation, positioning, strategy and the realities of building a company.
Innovation & entrepreneurship
Helping researchers and students move from an interesting idea to a useful product or business.
Current work
Headstrong
Co-founder and scientific advisor, working with professional hockey player Evan Nause on brain health and performance nutrition.
Explore HeadstrongMcMaster University
Industry Professor, connecting kinesiology, innovation and entrepreneurship.
University profileSaint Mary’s University
Entrepreneur-in-Residence, mentoring founders, students and teams as they develop and validate their ideas.
Selected milestones
Research. Build. Learn. Repeat.
Rivalus
Founded a sports nutrition company for athletes, then exited following its acquisition by Nutrivo.
Outcast Foods
Co-founded with former NHL player TJ Galiardi to turn surplus fruits and vegetables into useful nutritional ingredients.
Mentoring & applied innovation
Bringing operating experience back to universities and supporting a new generation of founders.
Notes & perspectives
What I’m thinking about.
Reflections on science, training, entrepreneurship and adapting as life changes.
Dr. Darren Burke: Five Mentorship Questions for Students and Founders
Dr. Darren Burke shares five practical questions to help students and founders examine assumptions, test ideas and choose a useful next s...
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What Am I Training For Now?
Getting older has not made me train less. It has changed how I define strength, progress and the physical and professional capabilities I...
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Why I Chose Possibility Over Certainty
The decision that led to Headstrong—and what it taught me about life's biggest opportunities. By Dr. Darren Burke | Scientist | Entrepre...
Read articleA few useful answers
About my work
What is Darren Burke’s background?
I am a scientist and entrepreneur with a PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Saskatchewan. My career spans university research and teaching, sports nutrition, sustainable food technology and founder mentoring.
What companies has Darren Burke helped build?
I founded Rivalus and co-founded Outcast Foods and Headstrong. Each grew from an interest in applying science to a practical problem.
What does Darren Burke work on today?
My work centres on mentoring founders, translating research into practical applications and supporting science-based product development. I also serve as an Industry Professor at McMaster University and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Saint Mary’s University.
How can I contact Darren Burke?
Use the contact page linked below, or connect with me on LinkedIn.
Start a conversation
Working on something?
If you’re building a company, exploring an idea or looking for a practical sounding board, I’m open to a conversation.