Meet the Team: Dr. Bruno da Fonseca
One of the most exciting things about being a startup is building our team—bringing together talented individuals who help us shape our vision and culture. Over the next while, we’ll be introducing more of our team at Ground Truth Ag, continuing with Dr. Bruno da Fonseca, Analytical Chemist.
Meet Bruno
Bruno’s journey into AI-powered grain grading started with a deep passion for chemical analysis and real-time measurement technology. With a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Victoria, he specialized in developing analytical methods and integrating machine learning into chemical analysis—a skill set that perfectly positioned him for the work we do at Ground Truth Ag.
“I was working on machine learning models for chemical analysis during my PhD, but mostly in research,” Bruno explains. “I saw an opportunity here to apply those concepts in a real-world setting, in an industry that is growing fast. That was exciting.”
After completing his PhD, Bruno worked in water quality analysis before transitioning into agriculture technology. The opportunity to contribute to real-time grain quality assessments, work with machine learning, and be part of an innovative and collaborative team made joining Ground Truth Ag a natural next step.
Bringing Science to AI-Powered Grain Grading
At Ground Truth Ag, Bruno plays a key role in the non-visual grain quality analysis using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS). While Machine Vision identifies visual grading factors, Bruno’s work ensures that critical non-visual characteristics—such as moisture, protein, and oil content—are accurately measured in real time.
“NIRS is an analytical technique that allows us to detect chemical composition in grains instantly,” Bruno explains. “The molecules in the grain absorb light in unique ways, and by analysing that interaction, we can determine moisture, protein, and oil content without requiring slow, traditional lab testing.”
His work also involves:
Developing and refining AI models to continuously improve accuracy.
Calibrating benchtop units to ensure consistent, standardized results across devices.
Navigating regulatory standards such as CGC, USDA and NIST certifications to bring automated grain grading to more markets.
What He Loves About His Work
For Bruno, the best part of working at Ground Truth Ag is the team and the culture of continuous learning.
“I love the technical side of my work—understanding how to refine models, improve measurements, and optimize results. But beyond that, I’m constantly learning from the people around me,” Bruno shares. “I’m always picking up something new—whether it’s from the software engineers, AI developers, or data architects. Everyone is open to sharing knowledge and working together, which makes it a great place to grow.”
Another major motivator for Bruno is leadership. At Ground Truth Ag, he manages data collection efforts, guiding the team responsible for gathering the grain samples that train and refine the AI models.
“In my previous roles, I did all the data collection myself. Here, I get to lead a team, which allows us to scale our work and improve our models faster.”
Looking Ahead
Bruno is focused on expanding and improving the capabilities of our benchtop grain grading system. A key priority is refining existing AI models to enhance accuracy and consistency, ensuring that each grading factor is measured with precision. As Ground Truth Ag continues to expand, Bruno is working on adding new crops to our analysis, moving beyond wheat and lentils to include soybeans, oats, and faba beans. This expansion will allow more millers, farmers, and grain buyers to benefit from automated, data-driven grading.
Beyond model development, Bruno is also deeply involved in the certification process, ensuring that our technology meets regulatory standards. Achieving USDA and CGC certifications is a major goal—one that represents years of scientific development, testing, and innovation.
Outside of Work
When he’s not working on AI-powered grain analysis, Bruno enjoys a mix of indoor and outdoor activities:
Movies & storytelling – “I love a good story, whether it’s a movie, a TV series, or a great book.”
Board games – A favorite pastime when he can find a good group to play with.
Fitness & running – “I like to stay active, and I’ve participated in 5K and 10K races.”
Paddleboarding & hiking – Exploring outdoor spaces and lakes.
Originally from Brazil, Bruno has lived across Canada—from Victoria to Calgary to Regina—and continues to explore new places whenever he gets the chance.
A Passion for Science & Innovation
Bruno’s expertise and enthusiasm for real-time chemical analysis, AI, and precision agriculture make him a key part of the Ground Truth Ag team. His goal-oriented mindset and commitment to innovation are driving automated grain grading forward, making quality assessments faster, more accurate, and more accessible than ever before.
We’re proud to have Bruno on the team—stay tuned for more Meet the Team stories as we introduce the people behind Ground Truth Ag!
