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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260520T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260520T133000
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UID:33642-1779278400-1779283800@sciencepolicy.ca
SUMMARY:Security\, Sovereignty\, and Prosperity: Industry Perspectives on Canada’s New Defence Industrial Strategy
DESCRIPTION:Register HereCanada’s recently released Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) represents a paradigm shift in the intersection of national security and industrial policy. Central to this strategy is the “Joint Innovation” model – a call for deep\, sustained collaboration between the federal government and the private sector to build sovereign capabilities. This high-level panel brings together leaders from Canada’s mining\, advanced manufacturing\, and technology sectors to discuss the strategic and practical implications of the DIS. \nPanellists will explore how the strategy’s goals align with the unique challenges of their respective industries\, from critical mineral supply chains to dual-use technology development in AI and Quantum. The discussion will focus on how the DIS can serve as a catalyst for industrial growth\, the hurdles to achieving seamless “Joint Innovation\,” and the long-term impact of this strategy on Canada’s broader innovation ecosystem and global competitiveness. \nSpeaker information coming soon!Charlotte Duval-Lantoine – ModeratorVice-President\, Ottawa Operations & Fellow\, Canadian Global Affairs InstituteSee Bio×Charlotte Duval-Lantoine \nCharlotte is the Vice President\, Ottawa Operations and a Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute\, as well as a PhD Candidate at Deakin University\, researching Canadian army culture during the 1990s and its influence on operations. \nShe is the author of The Ones We Let Down\, a book examining gender integration and toxic leadership in the military that was named among The Hill Times’ Best Books of 2022. She does research on military leadership\, culture change\, and personnel policy\, topics on which she regularly comments in the media and writes in her Substack\, DND/CAF 101. She participates in consultation organized by the Department of National Defence and has given talks to West Point and RMC cadets\, to the National Strategic Program at the Canadian Forces College\, and to the Australian War College. \nCharlotte has had the honour of being awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal and the CDA Institute’s 2024 Captain Nichola Goddard Award for her work as a\nresearcher. She was also listed as one of the 2022 Women in Defence and Security Emerging Leader and amongst the 20 in their 20s by Women in Defence and Security in 2025. \nCharlotte was born in France and grew up in Marseille. She has called Canada her home since 2014. \nJayson MyersChief Executive Officer of Next Generation Manufacturing CanadaSee Bio×Jason Myers\nJayson Myers is the Chief Executive Officer of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada\, the industry-led organization that is spearheading Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for Advanced Manufacturing. NGen raises funds from public and private sources to invest in building world-leading advanced manufacturing solutions and ecosystem capabilities in Canada. \nJay is an award-winning business economist who specializes in industrial and technological change. Between 2007 and 2016\, he served as President & CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters\, Canada’s largest industry and trade association. In 2017 he was the Chief Policy Advisor to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. \nJay has been widely recognized as one of the most influential economic policy advocates in Canada. He is an advisor to both private and public sector leaders\, and has counselled Canadian prime ministers and premiers\, as well as senior corporate executives and policymakers around the world. \nA former research fellow at Nuffield College Oxford\, Jay has held lectureships at both Oxford and the University of Warwick. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the World Manufacturing Forum and a leading advocate on the world stage on behalf of advanced manufacturing in Canada. \nPhotinie KoutsavlisVice President\, Economic Affairs and Climate Change\nMining Association of Canada See Bio×Photinie Koutsavlis\nMs. Koutsavlis is dedicated to advancing the mining industry’s comprehension of critical economic matters\, encompassing taxation\, international trade\, investment\, infrastructure\, and innovation. Additionally\, she guides the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) and its members in supporting an orderly transition towards a more sustainable\, low-carbon future. Her leadership positions MAC as a constructive partner in the fight against climate change. \nPreviously\, Ms. Koutsavlis held the role of Director General\, Policy and Economic Branch for the Lands and Minerals Sector at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) within the Government of Canada. In this capacity\, she led the integration of strategic policy\, scientific insights\, regulatory expertise\, economics\, and market analysis. Her work informed policy development and decisions related to domestic and international priorities concerning lands\, minerals\, and metals. \nMs. Koutsavlis played a key role in developing the Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan\, which served as the foundation for Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy and broader policy direction. \nDaniel PerryDirector of Federal Affairs at the Council of Canadian InnovatorsSee Bio×Daniel Perry\nDaniel Perry is the Director of Federal Affairs at the Council of Canadian Innovators\, where he leads national advocacy and government engagement. \nPreviously\, he worked in consulting\, advising clients on public policy across sectors including fintech\, agriculture\, and higher education. He has also held roles with the Senate of Canada\, Queen’s Park\, and the Canadian Criminal Justice Association. An experienced campaigner\, Daniel has contributed to leadership races and elections at all levels of government. He has been recognized as one of Ottawa’s Top Consultants by Faces Magazine and was recently named a Top Lobbyist by The Hill Times. \nDaniel is a frequent media contributor and columnist for publications in Hamilton and Niagara. He holds a Master of Political Management from Carleton University\, a Joint Honours Bachelor in Communication and Political Science from the University of Ottawa\, and a Diploma in Business from Loyalist College. \n Mike Mueller President and CEO\, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada See Bio×Mike Mueller\nMike Mueller was appointed President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association in May of 2021\, building on his six-year history with the association as Senior Vice- President where he was responsible for the operation of the organization and strategic direction on major aerospace projects and initiatives.  \nMike is a forward-thinking team builder who brings a wealth of government experience to the position\, having advised Ministers in the Federal Government on a wide variety of policies and programs. Prior to joining AIAC\, Mike held senior positions within the Canadian government including at Employment and Social Development Canada\, Public Safety Canada\, Foreign Affairs and International Trade\, and Canada’s Treasury Board.  \nMike also serves as Vice-Chair & Financial Controller for the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations.  \n Dr. Rahim Rezaie Executive Director\,  Institute for Collaborative InnovationSee Bio×Dr. Rahim Rezaie\nDr. Rahim Rezaie is Executive Director of the Institute for Collaborative Innovation\, which promotes citizen-centred innovation and the role of community-anchored social purpose organizations in defence and resilience. He holds an Adjunct Lecturer position at the University of Toronto and is an Independent Consultant in private practice. His work and expertise focus on science\, technology\, and innovation policy\, the role of social sector organizations in defence and resilience\, and science and technology for development\, with a focus on health technology innovation.
URL:https://sciencepolicy.ca/event/security-sovereignty-and-prosperity-industry-perspectives-on-canadas-new-defence-industrial-strategy/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Virtual Sessions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sciencepolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/May20-Panel-en-4.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Canadian Science Policy Centre":MAILTO:info@sciencepolicy.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260528T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260528T123000
DTSTAMP:20260515T053230
CREATED:20260415T212220Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T044308Z
UID:33600-1779966000-1779971400@sciencepolicy.ca
SUMMARY:What is research excellence? Measuring impact in a changing world
DESCRIPTION:Register HerePeer review underpins nearly all major academic assessments\, from publications and funding to promotions and awards. Despite its centrality in the research ecosystem\, peer review has a well-documented number of flaws that can lead to unfair assessment and disadvantage applicants\, including: a lack of concordance between reviewers; over-reliance on quantitative scores with small numerical margins defining top candidates; variation in the weight given to different application components; recurrent patterns of cognitive biases such as familiarity; and biases that undervalue applications from new researchers\, researchers at smaller institutions\, women\, and some groups of racialized people\, regardless of the objective merits of the application\, proposal\, or nomination. \nThis panel will examine both the challenges and potential solutions to inequities in peer review\, drawing on the National Killam Selection Committee’s 2021–2024 experience adjudicating some of Canada’s most prestigious national scholarly honours. The discussion will highlight data-informed strategies\, including anonymization\, categorical ranking\, structured rubrics\, and equalization processes that aim to mitigate bias while maintaining fairness and excellence. \nPanelists are a diverse representation of the Canadian research landscape and hold significant experience in research assessment and a uniformed interest in incorporating evidence-informed principles of excellence and equity into adjudication. The panelists will explore how bias manifests\, what evidence reveals about its effects\, and what actions can be taken to uphold fair assessment. \nSpeaker information coming soon!Amélie Quesnel-ValléeInaugural Chair and Professor\, Department of Equity\, Ethics and Policy (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) Professor\, Department of Sociology (Faculty of Arts)See Bio×Amélie Quesnel-Vallée\nAmélie Quesnel-Vallée is Inaugural Chair and Professor in the Department of Equity\, Ethics and Policy (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) and a Professor in the Department of Sociology (Faculty of Arts) at McGill University. From 2015 to 2025 she held the Canada Research Chair in Policies and Health Inequalities. Quesnel-Vallée’s research examines the contribution of policies to social inequalities in health over the life course and has been recognized through awards from professional associations including the American Sociological Association\, the Population Association of America\, and the American Public Health Association. \nShe is a two-time Fulbright Foundation awardee\, most recently of a Distinguished Chair (2020)\, and she held the Canada Research Chair in Policies and Health inequalities at McGill University (2015-2025). She is a Past-President of the Canadian Population Society and of the International Sociological Association’s Research Committee on the Sociology of Health\, and Chair-Elect of the American Sociological Association Medical Sociology Section. \nShe has demonstrated experience in providing strategic advice to several complex organizations\, notably the Canadian Institutes of Health Research\, where she served as a board member for six years\, and held leadership roles such as the inaugural Chair of the Standing Committee on Science (2022-2024) and as a Member of the Executive Committee (2021-2024). \nMaydianne AndradeDean & Professor\, Faculty of Science\, York UniversitySee Bio×Maydianne Andrade\nMaydianne Andrade is former Canada Research Chair in Integrative Evolutionary Ecology who was a faculty member at the University of Toronto for 25 years and held the rank of University Professor. Now Dean of the Faculty of Science at York University\, Professor Andrade is internationally recognized for her research on how ecology and evolution interact to shape behaviour\, species diversity and invasiveness\, using black widow spiders. \nDedicated to fostering more inclusive academic cultures\, Professor Andrade is founder of the Toronto Initiative for Diversity and Excellence\, and she is a co-founder and was inaugural President of the Canadian Black Scientists Network. She is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences\, a Fellow of the Animal Behavior Society and of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society\, and has been awarded the Burpee medal for Science Leadership\, Exemplar awards for career-long contributions to research\, and a Trailblazer award from the Canadian Science Policy Centre. \nCarl JamesJean Augustine Chair in Education\, Community & Diaspora\, Faculty of Education\, York UniversitySee Bio×Carl James\nCarl E. James holds the Jean Augustine Chair in Education\, Community & Diaspora in the Faculty of Education; and also Distinguished Researcher Professor at York University\, Toronto. For 16 years\, he was Visiting Lecturer in education at Uppsala University\, Sweden. His research interests include examination of the ways in which accessible and equitable opportunities in education – as informed by the regulations\, policies\, programs and practices of governments and institutions – structure the lived experiences\, educational trajectories\, health conditions\, employment possibilities\, and social outcomes of marginalized and racialized Canadians. \nA Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC) – Academy of Social Sciences\, he has received Honorary Doctorates (Education) from McGill University\, and Uppsala University\, the 2022 Killam Prize for Social Sciences\, and many other scholarly\, teaching and community awards. Among the dozens of books\, book chapters\, and journal articles he has authored and coauthored are : “Colour Matters”: Essays on the Experiences\, Education and Pursuits of Black Youth (UoT\, 2021) and First-Generation Student Experiences in Higher Education: Counterstories. (Routledge\, 2023). \nBilkis VissandjéeProfessor and Researcher\, School of Nursing\, Centre de recherche en santé publique (CReSP)\, Université de Montréal\nResearcher\, SHERPA University Institute and\nFellow\, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS)\nChair\, Quebec Provincial Committee on Access to Health and Social Services for Ethnocultural Communities See Bio×Bilkis Vissandjée\nDr. Vissandjee has played a key role in developing community-based research infrastructures\, notably contributing to the establishment of the SHERPA University Institute\, which advances equity-oriented practices in multi-ethnic and multilingual contexts. Her research and leadership focus on health equity\, migration\, gender-based violence\, and culturally responsive health systems. \nHer work addresses the challenges of delivering high-quality care in diverse contexts\, integrating intersectional and trauma-informed perspectives.  A central component of her research advances human rights-based and trauma-informed approaches to health and policy. \nThrough collaborations with community-based organizations and NGOs\, she develops and implements programs tailored to the realities of newly arrived populations\, addressing linguistic\, cultural\, and structural barriers to care in Quebec\, Canada\, and internationally. Her work underscores the importance of inclusive\, culturally responsive approaches to advancing health equity. \nBilkis serves on the Advisory Committee on Equity\, Diversity and Inclusion of the Canada Research Chairs Program and\, since 2022\, has been Chair of the Quebec Provincial Committee at the Ministry of Health and Social Services\, where she provides leadership on improving equitable access to care for ethnocultural communities. \n \nWilliam WhelanProfessor\, Department of Physics\, University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and Professor\, Department of Biomedical Sciences\, Atlantic Veterinary CollegeSee Bio×William Whelan\nBill Whelan is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Atlantic Veterinary College. He was a Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Optics at UPEI and chair of the Department of Physics. His research has focused on the development of optical sensors\, photoacoustic imaging and laser therapies for the detection and treatment of cancers.  \nBill is co-chair of the PEI Education Minister’s Advisory Council on Lifelong Learning\, and he is a former president of the Canadian Association of Physicists. He has served as president of the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and as a director on the national CCS board. He was co-chair of the PEI Education Governance Commission established to review and recommend improvements to the province’s education system.  \nBill is also actively involved in science promotion\, including as co-chair of the PEI Science Fair since 2008 and co-chair of the Canada-Wide Science Fair in 2012. He is a founding director of STEAM PEI\, a non-profit organization delivering school-based and community programs for youth to explore STEM fields with the Arts.
URL:https://sciencepolicy.ca/event/what-is-research-excellence-measuring-impact-in-a-changing-world/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Virtual Sessions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sciencepolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/May28-Panel-en.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Canadian Science Policy Centre":MAILTO:info@sciencepolicy.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260604T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260604T133000
DTSTAMP:20260515T053230
CREATED:20260506T163639Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T173857Z
UID:33706-1780574400-1780579800@sciencepolicy.ca
SUMMARY:Sowing Security: The Agri-Food Sector and Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy
DESCRIPTION:Register HereIn an era of increasing global volatility\, food security is no longer solely an agricultural concern—it is a cornerstone of national security and sovereign resilience. As Canada moves to implement its Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS)\, the role of the agri-food sector in maintaining stable\, innovative\, and secure supply chains has become a strategic priority. This “Deep Dive” panel examines the Canadian agricultural landscape through the lens of national defence and “whole-of-society” resilience. \nFeaturing experts from research\, industry\, and policy\, the session will discuss how agricultural innovation and domestic food sovereignty contribute to Canada’s security objectives. Key topics will include the protection of critical food infrastructure\, the application of dual-use technologies in agri-tech\, and how the DIS can be leveraged to bolster the resilience of Canada’s food systems against emerging global and environmental threats. \nSpeaker information coming soon!Virginia MulliganDirector of Agriculture and Food Innovation\, Alberta InnovatesSee Bio×Virginia Mulligan\nVirginia Mulligan is Director of Agriculture and Food Innovation\, where she designs and delivers strategic programs that support innovation and sustainability in Alberta’s agriculture sector\, with additional experience in forestry and energy. She has been involved in developing and delivering initiatives that surface promising technologies and turn ideas into practical tools for end users. Her work supports a diverse portfolio of projects focused on improving resource efficiency\, strengthening on-farm practices\, and enabling more informed decision-making across the sector. Virginia works closely with industry\, academia\, and government partners to ensure this work is well informed\, collaborative\, and responsive to evolving needs. She brings a practical\, systems-level perspective on the role of innovation in advancing sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.  \nShayan SharifInterim vice-president\, Research and Innovation\, University of GuelphSee Bio×Shayan Sharif\nSharif led various research programs\, training initiatives and agri-food research centres owned by the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario and operated by U of G\, including those at the Ridgetown Campus. He also oversaw the Laboratory Services Division and fostered relationships with a range of public- and private-sector partners. \nSharif is a professor of immunology whose research focuses on poultry diseases\, such as avian influenza. He is dedicated to developing innovative vaccines to control these infections. Additionally\, in the past\, he led the Poultry Health Research Network\, collaborating with experts from academia\, government and industry. More recently\, he was instrumental in establishing a translational health initiative at the University\, bridging veterinary and human health research to translate laboratory discoveries into treatments for both animals and humans. \nBrodie BerriganSenior Director of Government Relations and Farm Policy\, Canadian Federation of AgricultureSee Bio×Brodie Berrigan\nAs Senior Director of Government Relations and Farm Policy at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA)\, Brodie Berrigan plays a key role in coordinating the organization’s policy development and government relations\, with leadership on files including risk management\, food security\, labour\, trade and transportation.  \nPrior to joining the CFA\, he spent many years working for the Government of Canada across several departments\, including Public Services and Procurement Canada\, the Privy Council Office\, and Employment and Social Development Canada.  \nMr. Berrigan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from the University of Ottawa\, a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University\, and a diploma in Business – Agriculture from Algonquin College.  \nDana Dickerson\n Director of Market Development and Sustainability\, Grain Farmers of OntarioSee Bio×Dana Dickerson\nDana Dickerson is Director of Market Development and Sustainability at Grain Farmers of Ontario. Working on behalf of 28\,000 farmers who grow barley\, corn\, oats\, wheat\, and soybeans\, Dana focuses on strengthening existing markets and creating new demand across food\, feed\, fuel\, beverage\, and bioproduct sectors. She works closely with farmers\, processors and governments to encourage value‑added processing innovation in Ontario\, grow grain exports\, and support farmer and customer sustainability. \nIan AffleckVice President – Plant Biotechnology\, CropLife CanadaSee Bio×Ian Affleck\nIan Affleck\, is the vice-president of plant biotechnology for CropLife Canada. In this role\, Affleck works with domestic and international agricultural stakeholders and governments on the development of policies\, regulations\, and science related to plant biotechnology. Prior to joining CropLife Canada\, Affleck worked at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for 10 years. His work there focused on the regulation of novel plants and new varieties. Affleck holds a B Sc from Nova Scotia Agricultural College and a Masters from the University of Guelph. Affleck has been involved in agriculture from an early age\, having grown up on a potato farm in Bedeque\, PEI. \n \nWilliam WhelanProfessor\, Department of Physics\, University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and Professor\, Department of Biomedical Sciences\, Atlantic Veterinary CollegeSee Bio×William Whelan\nBill Whelan is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Atlantic Veterinary College. He was a Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Optics at UPEI and chair of the Department of Physics. His research has focused on the development of optical sensors\, photoacoustic imaging and laser therapies for the detection and treatment of cancers.  \nBill is co-chair of the PEI Education Minister’s Advisory Council on Lifelong Learning\, and he is a former president of the Canadian Association of Physicists. He has served as president of the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and as a director on the national CCS board. He was co-chair of the PEI Education Governance Commission established to review and recommend improvements to the province’s education system.  \nBill is also actively involved in science promotion\, including as co-chair of the PEI Science Fair since 2008 and co-chair of the Canada-Wide Science Fair in 2012. He is a founding director of STEAM PEI\, a non-profit organization delivering school-based and community programs for youth to explore STEM fields with the Arts.
URL:https://sciencepolicy.ca/event/sowing-security/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Sessions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sciencepolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/June4-Panel-en-2.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Canadian Science Policy Centre":MAILTO:info@sciencepolicy.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260611T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260611T150000
DTSTAMP:20260515T053230
CREATED:20260512T141611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T195934Z
UID:33775-1781184600-1781190000@sciencepolicy.ca
SUMMARY:Canada’s AI Advantage: Why It Exists—and What It Will Take to Scale It
DESCRIPTION:Register HereCanada has established itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence research and talent development. Yet despite these strengths\, translating that advantage into broad-based economic and societal impact remains uneven. \nThis panel will examine how Canada can more effectively move from discovery to deployment—closing the gap between research excellence and real-world adoption. Bringing together leaders from academia\, national AI institutes\, and industry\, the discussion will explore where the system is working\, where it is falling short\, and what it will take to scale impact. \nA central focus will be on how talent\, research\, and industry can be more tightly connected—ensuring that students\, researchers\, and companies are working together on real-world challenges earlier and more often. Drawing on practical experience\, panelists will highlight models that accelerate adoption\, strengthen talent pipelines\, and enable organizations to apply AI in meaningful\, measurable ways. \nAttendees will gain insights into: \n\nWhat is actually driving AI adoption in practice\, including approaches that embed talent within real-world environments to accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to implementation \nHow Canada can better align its research\, training\, and industry needs\, ensuring that highly qualified talent is equipped to contribute to applied AI and commercialization \nWhat systemic changes are needed to scale impact\, from institutional incentives within academia to national strategies that support adoption\, competitiveness\, and long-term growth \n\nThis session will move beyond potential to focus on execution—highlighting how Canada can convert its AI leadership into sustained economic and societal advantage. \nSpeaker information coming soon!Eva ReddingtonVice President\, Policy\, Program Development & Government Relations\, MitacsSee Bio× Eva Reddington\nVice President\, Policy\, Program Development & Government Relations\, Mitacs \nElissa StromeExecutive Director of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy\, CIFARSee Bio×Elissa StromeElissa Strome is the Executive Director of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy at CIFAR. She works with leaders at Canada’s three National AI Institutes in Edmonton (Amii)\, Montreal (Mila)\, and Toronto (Vector Institute) and across the country to advance Canada’s leadership in AI research\, training and innovation. She is a champion of equity\, diversity and inclusion in science\, and an ambassador for Canada’s position in AI research\, innovation\, and policy internationally. Elissa is a member of the federal government’s AI Advisory Council\, a member of the OECD’s Network of Experts on AI and Expert Group on AI in Health\, a member of the Health Canada Expert Advisory Committee for AI in Health\, and sits on the Advisory Board of York University’s Centre for AI & Society.Margo SeltzerCore Member\, AI@UBC Working GroupSee Bio×Margo SeltzerMargo Seltzer is a core member of our AI@UBC working group and department co-Head\, Canada 150 Research Chair in Computer Systems\, and the Cheriton Family chair in Computer Science at the University of British Columbia. Her research interests are in systems\, construed quite broadly\, including algorithms and systems for constructing optimal and interpretable machine learning models. One particularly novel stream of this work is the production of Rashomon Sets\, the set of all good models\, which give users the ability to select models that best reflect their domain expertise. \nDr. Seltzer was a co-founder and CTO of Sleepycat Software\, the makers of Berkeley DB\, the recipient of the 2021 ACM Software Systems award and the 2020 ACM SIGMOD Systems Award. She is a member of the Royal Society of Canada\, the National Academy of Engineering\, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.Youssef Helwa\nCEO and Co-founder\, FluidAI MedicalSee Bio×Youssef Helwa\nYoussef Helwa is the CEO and Co-founder of FluidAI Medical\, the world leader in postoperative care\, transforming how hospitals detect and prevent surgical complications through AI-powered patient monitoring. Built from his graduate research at the University of Waterloo\, FluidAI has grown into a globally deployed medtech company with regulatory clearances across multiple jurisdictions and clinical partnerships with some of the world’s most respected institutions\, including Cleveland Clinic\, Mayo Clinic\, and UHN. The company’s Stream Platform combines nanosensor technology and artificial intelligence to detect complications up to 80% faster than the standard of care\, backed by the world’s largest general surgery dataset spanning millions of patient records\, a strong IP portfolio\, and a suite of tools to optimize patient engagement\, clinical documentation\, and surgical billing. Youssef is on a mission to make surgical recovery smarter\, safer\, and more predictable for patients worldwide. \nCam LinkeCEO\, Alberta Machine Learning Institute (Amii)See Bio×Cam Linke\nCam Linke\, is the CEO of Alberta Machine Learning Institute (Amii) is a longtime leader in Canada’s technology and startup community. Over the past 10 years\, he has worked as a CEO\, investor\, community builder\, product manager\, software entrepreneur\, academic\, and developer. \nPast roles include Co-founder of Startup Edmonton\, Founder of Flightpath Ventures\, CEO of Touch Metric\, Product Manager at Nexopia.com\, and Founder of DemoCamp Edmonton. Linke is a sought-after speaker and mentor and has been recognized as Avenue Magazine Top 40 Under 40. \nHe holds a Master’s degree which was supervised by Dr. Richard Sutton and Dr. Adam White. His research\, which focused on AI adapting behaviours to improve their own self-learning\, has been published at top conferences. \nCory JanssenCo-Founder and CEO\, AltaMLSee Bio×Cory Janssen\nCory Janssen is Co-Founder and CEO of AltaML\, an applied AI company recognized for delivering agentic AI solutions that unlock measurable organizational value and elevate human potential. A seasoned technology entrepreneur\, Cory previously co-founded Investopedia in 1999 and developed it into a leading global financial education site before its sale to Forbes Media in 2007. \nChad CogarVice President of AI\, Creative Destruction LabSee Bio×Chad CogarChad Cogar is the Vice President of AI at Creative Destruction Lab\, where he leads AI initiatives and serves as a technical advisor to CDL’s enterprise AI adoption program “Putting AI to Work”. With over a decade of experience in AI strategy and implementation\, Chad specializes in developing AI systems that drive measurable business impact. Prior to joining CDL\, he led product management for the machine learning teams at Kindred AI and oversaw large-scale AI transformation initiatives for enterprise clients across multiple industries. Chad holds degrees in Law (JD)\, Business (MBA)\, and Computer Science (BSc) from the University of Toronto.
URL:https://sciencepolicy.ca/event/canadas-ai-advantage/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Sessions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sciencepolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/June11-Panel-en-4.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Canadian Science Policy Centre":MAILTO:info@sciencepolicy.ca
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