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SUMMARY:Comment le Canada peut tirer parti de son bilinguisme pour renforcer sa collaboration scientifique et technologique à l’échelle mondiale
DESCRIPTION:Register HereCSPC célèbre la Francophonie avec un panel intitulé « Comment le Canada peut tirer parti de son bilinguisme pour renforcer sa collaboration scientifique et technologique à l’échelle mondiale ». Cet événement réunira des leaders du milieu de la recherche et de l’innovation afin d’explorer comment l’identité bilingue du Canada peut devenir un atout stratégique pour développer et approfondir les partenariats scientifiques et technologiques internationaux. \nLa discussion abordera notamment le rôle du bilinguisme dans la facilitation des collaborations scientifiques internationales\, les possibilités pour le Canada de renforcer ses liens avec des partenaires francophones et non francophones\, ainsi que la contribution des organismes nationaux de recherche et des universités à l’avancement de l’engagement international. \nJean-Pierre PerreaultRecteur\, Université de Sherbrooke See Bio×Jean-Pierre Perreault\nTitulaire d’un doctorat en biochimie de l’Université de Montréal\, le professeur Jean-Pierre Perreault a poursuivi une formation postdoctorale à l’Université de Yale avant d’intégrer la Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé de l’Université de Sherbrooke en 1993\, à titre de professeur en biochimie. Entre 2004 et 2017\, il a été successivement directeur du Département de biochimie\, doyen associé au développement de la Faculté et vice-doyen à la recherche et aux études supérieures. Vice-recteur à la recherche et aux études supérieures de 2017 à 2025\, il a notamment contribué à ce que l’UdeS se hisse à la 10e place au Canada pour les revenus de recherche. \nLe professeur Perreault a été partie prenante de la concrétisation de plusieurs projets majeurs\, dont la création d’un programme de bourses nominatives aux études supérieures soutenu par un fonds capitalisé de plus de 25 millions de dollars\, l’implication dans la Stratégie nationale quantique ou encore le financement du Pavillon de santé de précision et de recherche translationnelle et de la Bibliothèque du Campus de la santé de l’UdeS. \nÀ titre de chercheur en biochimie de l’ARN\, il a produit près de 900 communications scientifiques. Il a détenu la Chaire de recherche du Canada en génomique et ARN catalytique de 2005 à 2012 et il est titulaire de la Chaire de recherche de l’UdeS en structure et génomique de l’ARN. Il a piloté le développement de nouvelles applications en inactivation génique à partir des découvertes fondamentales de son laboratoire. Jean-Pierre Perreault a été le directeur fondateur du Centre d’excellence de recherche de la biologie de l’ARN (1999-2009) et l’un des cofondateurs du RiboClub\, un regroupement canadien de chercheuses et chercheurs ayant un intérêt pour l’étude de l’ARN. \nIl a représenté l’UdeS sur de nombreuses tribunes et auprès d’organismes québécois\, canadiens et internationaux. Il a notamment été président fondateur de la Société canadienne pour les biosciences moléculaires (2010-2011)\, président de l’Acfas (2021-2024)\, et membre des conseils d’administration du Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada (CRSNG)\, de l’Accélérateur de création d’entreprises technologiques (ACET)\, du Centre d’expertise en santé de Sherbrooke (CESS)\, du Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) et de l’Observatoire international sur les impacts sociétaux de l’IA et du numérique (OBVIA).  \nFrédéric BouchardProfesseur titulaire\, Département de philosophie\, Université de Montréal See Bio×Frédéric Bouchard\nProfesseur titulaire au Département de philosophie de l’Université de Montréal\, Frédéric Bouchard est depuis juin 2017\, le doyen de la Faculté des arts et des sciences. \nIl est actuellement président des conseils d’administration de la plateforme Érudit\, de BAnQ et de l’Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV)\, et membre du CA du MILA. \nEn septembre 2021\, il a été nommé membre de la Société royale du Canada (SRC). \nÀ l’automne 2022\, il a présidé le comité consultatif sur le système fédéral de soutien à la recherche qui a rendu\, en mars 2023\, un rapport avec des recommandations clés pour l’avenir du soutien fédéral à la recherche. \nMartine LagacéVice-rectrice associée\, promotion et développement de la recherche\, Professeure titulaire\, Université d’Ottawa See Bio×Martine Lagacé\nMartine Lagacé is currently Associate Vice-President\, Research Promotion & Development\, within the Office of the Vice-President\, Research and Innovation. She is a full professor in the Department of Communication and is affiliated with the School of Psychology. Professor Lagacé was Vice-Dean\, Governance\, of the Faculty of Arts from 2014 to 2018\, and Director of the Department of Communication from 2011 to 2012. In addition to her administrative experience\, she has extensive expertise in journalism\, having worked at Radio-Canada for more than 10 years. \nProfessor Lagacé’s research focuses on older adults and wellbeing. Her work greatly contributes to the advancement of knowledge on the psychosocial aspects of aging\, particularly as they relate to discrimination based on age. She has led several field surveys in Canada and abroad\, with workers as well as older adults\, to better understand the impact of age-based discrimination. In the francophone community\, her academic work on ageism has been groundbreaking. She has edited two books on the topic and regularly publishes articles in academic journals\, in both official languages. \nProfessor Lagacé has also contributed to several organizations\, including the National Seniors Council\, the Institut du savoir Montfort\, the LIFE Research Institute and the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal. She has forged several international research collaborations\, particularly in France and Italy. \nJanice BaileyVice‑présidente à la recherche et directrice scientifique\, Fonds de recherche du Québec – secteur Nature et technologies See Bio×Janice Bailey\nJanice L. Bailey est une dirigeante canadienne de la recherche et une administratrice scientifique dont la carrière est consacrée à l’avancement de la recherche interdisciplinaire et de l’excellence scientifique. Elle est actuellement vice‑présidente à la recherche et directrice scientifique du Fonds de recherche du Québec – secteur Nature et technologies\, où elle dirige la stratégie scientifique et l’orientation de la recherche dans les domaines des sciences\, des technologies\, du génie et des mathématiques. À ce titre\, elle soutient des recherches qui répondent aux grands enjeux de société\, favorisent la collaboration et encouragent la diversité et l’innovation au sein de la communauté scientifique. \nAvant de se joindre au FRQ\, Janice était professeure en sciences animales et a occupé le poste de vice‑doyenne à la recherche à la Faculté des sciences de l’agriculture et de l’alimentation de l’Université Laval\, tout en détenant un statut de professeure associée à la Faculté de médecine. Elle est membre fondatrice du Centre de recherche en reproduction\, développement et santé intergénérationnelle et a assumé des rôles de gouvernance au sein d’organisations scientifiques nationales et internationales\, notamment comme présidente de la Society for the Study of Reproduction. Janice est membre de l’International Women’s Forum\, Distinguished Fellow de la Society for the Study of Reproduction\, membre de l’Académie canadienne des sciences de la santé\, et a été nommée Chevalière dans l’Ordre des Palmes académiques par le gouvernement français. \nForte de plus de 25 ans d’expérience comme chercheuse active\, Janice a dirigé des travaux portant sur l’influence des facteurs environnementaux — notamment l’exposition à des substances toxiques\, les conditions nutritionnelles et les stress liés au climat — sur la capacité reproductive et la santé à travers les générations. Ses recherches couvrent plusieurs espèces\, allant des poissons et des abeilles aux mammifères d’intérêt agricole\, modèles de laboratoire et études humaines\, reflétant une approche large et intégrée de la biologie environnementale et de la science de la reproduction. \nJanice a obtenu un doctorat (Ph. D.) en reproduction animale à l’Université de Guelph\, suivi d’un stage postdoctoral en biologie de la reproduction à la Perelman School of Medicine de l’Université de Pennsylvanie. Son leadership dépasse la recherche grâce à ses rôles consultatifs\, sa participation à des comités d’experts et ses efforts visant à rendre la science plus accessible à l’ensemble de la société. \nAlexane Thibodeau Scientifique en résidence soutenue par le Fonds de recherche du Québec\, Délégation du Québec à RomeSee Bio×Alexane Thibodeau\nAlexane Thibodeau a réalisé ses études à l’Université Laval\, la toute première université francophone fondée en Amérique. Elle y a obtenu\, en 2025\, un doctorat en biologie cellulaire et moléculaire. Ses travaux de recherche\, menés au sein du centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l’Université Laval (LOEX)\, portaient sur le développement de stratégies innovantes en génie tissulaire visant la réparation et la régénération d’organes\, notamment dans le domaine de la reconstruction des nerfs périphériques. Elle a par la suite réalisé un stage postdoctoral portant sur la santé urinaire des femmes\, avec un intérêt particulier pour les approches de génie tissulaire appliquées aux bandelettes urinaires utilisées dans le traitement de l’incontinence. \n  \nAuteure principale de trois publications scientifiques\, elle a également été invitée à présenter ses travaux lors de conférences internationales en tant qu’experte en régénération des nerfs périphériques. L’une des recherches auxquelles elle a contribué a par ailleurs été mise en lumière parmi les 10 découvertes scientifiques de l’année 2022 par le magazine Québec Science. Ses travaux contribuent à l’avancement de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques pour la réparation des lésions nerveuses. \nParallèlement à ses activités de recherche\, Alexane s’intéresse au rôle de la science comme levier de coopération internationale et au développement de la diplomatie scientifique. Elle occupe actuellement le poste de scientifique en résidence à la Délégation du Québec à Rome\, dans le cadre d’un programme soutenu par le Fonds de recherche du Québec visant à favoriser les collaborations internationales en recherche et innovation. Dans ce rôle\, elle agit comme interface entre les milieux scientifiques\, institutionnels et diplomatiques afin de soutenir le développement de collaborations entre le Québec et l’Italie.
URL:https://sciencepolicy.ca/event/comment-le-canada-peut-tirer-parti-de-son-bilinguisme-pour-renforcer-sa-collaboration-scientifique-et-technologique-a-lechelle-mondiale/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Virtual Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sciencepolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-French-panel-FR.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Canadian Science Policy Centre":MAILTO:info@sciencepolicy.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260408T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260408T153000
DTSTAMP:20260403T162925
CREATED:20260310T191029Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T213301Z
UID:33426-1775656800-1775662200@sciencepolicy.ca
SUMMARY:Decentralizing Data for Climate‑Smart Research: Policy\, Infrastructure\, and Trust
DESCRIPTION:Register HereCanada’s climate\, agriculture\, health\, and biodiversity challenges demand research data that are findable\, responsibly shareable\, and resilient. Yet centralized repositories\, siloed governance\, and cross‑border dependencies limit trust\, flexibility\, and sovereignty—especially for Indigenous and other sensitive data. This panel examines decentralized approaches—federated collaboration tools\, interoperable metadata standards\, and decentralized identity/credentials—that let institutions and communities retain control while enabling discovery and secure access at national scale. What does “decentralized” look like in practice for human and non‑human data? Where can Canada align policy\, standards\, and funding to unlock value for researchers\, conservation groups\, startups\, and infrastructure providers? Speakers with contrasting viewpoints—from cautious industry users to open data champions and sensitive‑data stewards—will debate tradeoffs in security\, sovereignty\, implementation\, and incentives\, and surface near‑term policy/implementation steps (e.g.\, national discovery metadata\, DIDs/VCs pilots\, and capacity‑building pathways). \nDavid McInnesFounder & Senior Fellow\, Centre for Agri-Food Benchmarking & Principal\, DMci Strategies See Bio×Dr. David McInnis\nAs Principal of DMci Strategies\, David McInnes initiated and led a novel coalition of over 160 agri-food partners from 2020 to 2024 to create Canada’s first agri-food sustainability index: the National Index on Agri-Food Performance. This unprecedented private-public collaboration worked by consensus. \nHe also founded the Centre for Agri-Food Benchmarking\, a not-for-profit organization\, dedicated to evolving the Index and managing the coalition. David is a Senior Fellow and Steering Committee member of the Centre. \nDavid is a board member with the National Circle on Indigenous Agriculture and Food and with a provincial government agency\, Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario. He is a steering member of the Agricultural Genomics in Action Centre and Growing Tomorrow\, an agri-food sustainability initiative\, at the University of Guelph; he is also affiliated with McGill University’s Institute for Global Food Security. \nPreviously\, David was President and CEO of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute and held executive positions with MDS Nordion\, a Canadian life sciences company and a global supplier of medical isotopes. He also worked in government and public affairs for the country’s banking sector at the Canadian Bankers Association and the Bank of Nova Scotia. He started his career working for the federal government at a Royal Commission on the economy. \nDavid is a past Chair of WaterAid Canada and a Trustee of London-based WaterAid International\, an NGO dedicated to clean water and improved sanitation in the global south. \nHe is a graduate of the London School of Economics (MSc.) and Dalhousie University (B.A.). \nDr. Zsuzsanna HollanderDirector\, Data Science\, Genome British Columbia See Bio×Dr. Zsuzsanna Hollander\nDr. Zsuzsanna Hollander is a strategic leader at the intersection of genomics\, data sovereignty\, and research infrastructure. As the Director of Data Science at Genome BC\, she oversees initiatives that leverage high-dimensional biological data to drive innovation across health and environmental sectors. She currently represents Canada on the ISO/TC 215/SC1 Genomics Informatics committee\, where she contributes to the development of international standards for data interoperability and security. \nWith a Ph.D. in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and an M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia\, Dr. Hollander brings a unique multidisciplinary perspective to the challenges of data decentralization. Her experience as a Co-founder and Chief Informatics Officer at Pawsperity Biotechnologies further informs her pragmatic approach to balancing open data advocacy with the technical and policy requirements of sensitive data stewardship.  \n \nDr. Michael SchullCEO\, Digital Research Alliance of Canada See Bio×Dr. Michael Schull\nMichael Schull is a nationally recognized leader with a track record of driving digital transformation. As CEO of the Digital Research Alliance of Canada\, Michael leverages his extensive experience in building national and international research and data partnerships\, and organizational growth and sustainability to support the organization’s work to advance the establishment of a researcher focused\, accountable\, agile\, strategic and sustainable digital research infrastructure (DRI) ecosystem in Canada. \nMichael’s experience and deep knowledge of the research and health ecosystems have been shaped by his12 years as CEO and Senior Scientist at ICES\, Canada’s leading health services research and data analytics institute\, as a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto and as a Senior Scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute. He is also founding member of Health Data Research Network Canada (HDRN)\, a pan-Canadian network of health data and research centres seeking to facilitate and enable pan-Canadian research\, and past co-director of the International Population Data Linkage network. \nThroughout his career\, Michael has led major initiatives to expand researcher access to new data types\, create a virtual data platform for linked datasets\, and launch a health AI data and analytics platform. He has also engaged the public and communities to ensure alignment with public values and strengthened relationships with Indigenous partners. His own research has focused on strengthening Ontario’s and Canada’s health research infrastructure for the analysis of large\, routinely collected datasets\, and on developing innovative data access models for research and health system evaluation. \nFluent in English and French\, Michael was born in Montreal and raised in Québec before relocating to Ontario\, where he earned a BA and MD from Queen’s University. He later completed an MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at McGill University and a Harkness Fellowship with The Commonwealth Fund in the United States. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada and is currently based in Toronto. \nMath’ieya AlatiniGrand Chief\, Council of Yukon First Nations & AFN Yukon Regional Chief See Bio×Math’ieya Alatini\nMath’ieya Alatini is a force of action and integrity\, deeply connected to her Southern Tutchone roots and the Kluane First Nation. Her journey\, marked by a blend of traditional and contemporary wisdom\, has been shaped by a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria and a varied career spanning Tourism\, Mining\, Finance\, and Non-Profit sectors.  She is grounded by her traditional upbringing on the land. \nHer strategic acumen\, honed as Chief of Kluane First Nation and through her work with INAC in British Columbia\, has been pivotal in advancing green energy projects and Intergovernmental Relations and advocacy for Yukon First Nation Final and Self Government Agreements. These experiences\, coupled with her role as Chief Strategist at GSD Strategies Inc\, underscore her capacity to steer complex initiatives to successful fruition. \nNow\, as the Board Chair of One Yukon Coalition\, Math’ieya’s leadership is instrumental in pioneering initiatives like the Wastewater Monitoring Program and Community Based Testing. Her dedication is central to promoting emergency readiness and health awareness\, driving transformative strategies that nurture the well-being and sustainability of Yukon communities. \nDr. Steven R. WebbSee Bio×Steven R. Webb\, PhD\nSteven joined the Global Institute for Food Security as the Chief Executive Officer in 2019\, following a 23-year career with Corteva Agriscience (formerly Dow AgroSciences) in Indianapolis\, Indiana\, United States. As Research and Development Director of External Technology at Corteva\, Steven led many research collaborations with private sector companies\, research institutes and universities around the globe. He also led the successful design and build of the company’s Omega-9 Health Canola business and has developed and deployed Corteva’s external innovation partnership process for driving new products and technologies to accelerate innovation across the seed\, crop protection and digital platforms. \nSteven joined Dow AgroSciences Canada\, Inc. in Saskatoon as a Research Scientist in Field Research and Development in 1996\, then accepted the role of Product Development Manager in the Nexera™ canola breeding program in 1997—responsible for the registration of the first Omega-9 canola varieties. Relocating to Indianapolis\, Indiana in 2000\, he became Project Success Leader for Animal Health and Nutrition\, leading efforts to demonstrate the technical feasibility of plant-made vaccines\, ARC™ biologics and food safety antibodies. He assumed leadership of the Cell Biology Group in 2007\, responsible for the implementation of BIO-ETS. In 2009\, he led Advanced Technology Discovery\, including the effort to develop and deploy the EXZACT™ Precision Platform Technologies in corn\, soybeans\, canola and wheat. A few years later in 2013\, Steven joined the Research & Development Leadership team and the Seeds Global Business team when he became responsible for External Technology\, Intellectual Property Development and Early Stage Commercial Assessment activities for Dow AgroSciences. He was also actively engaged in the regulatory and approval process for the Dow:DuPont merger and subsequent establishment of Corteva Agriscience. \nA visionary and strategic research leader\, Steven has over two decades of expertise in developing and managing multidisciplinary enterprises and new business opportunities. He is a University of Guelph\, Ontario alumnus\, earning a PhD in immunochemistry (1998)\, a Master’s degree in biochemistry (1992) and a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology (1990) from the institution. \nDr. Claude RobertProfessor\, Animal Sciences Department\, Université Laval\, Principal investigator CS-DCC\, Director of GenovaliaSee Bio×Dr. Claude Robert\nDr. Claude Robert is a Professor in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at Université Laval\, and a Principal Investigator for CS-DCC. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Université de Sherbrooke\, and Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Animal Sciences from Université Laval. He also completed a post-doctoral internship at the University of Guelph under the supervision of Dr. Allan King. \nDr. Robert has long been interested in how assisted reproduction technologies can affect early embryonic development. Currently\, his research projects include studying ovarian physiology – namely\, the intercellular connectivity between cumulus cells and the oocyte – using bovine and mouse models. He also leads and collaborates on projects in genetics and genomics in animal models such as cattle\, pigs\, caribou/reindeer\, and honeybees. \nDr. Robert is the Director of Genovalia\, a newly established data hub for non-human genomics at Université Laval. He is also the Co-Director of the Centre for Research in Reproduction\, Development and Intergenerational Health\, a research centre focused on reproductive biology as well as the responsible and ethical use of reproductive technologies. He is the former Director of the Réseau Québécois en Reproduction\, a network composed over 100 research teams invested in research on the topic of reproductive biology.
URL:https://sciencepolicy.ca/event/decentralizing-data-for-climate-smart-research/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Virtual Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sciencepolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ClimateSmartResearch-April8-Panel-en-5.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Canadian Science Policy Centre":MAILTO:info@sciencepolicy.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260416T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260416T133000
DTSTAMP:20260403T162925
CREATED:20260310T193553Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T194104Z
UID:33437-1776340800-1776346200@sciencepolicy.ca
SUMMARY:Canada\, South Africa\, Astronomy\, and the SKAO:  A Strategic Research Partnership
DESCRIPTION:Register HereGlobal megascience facilities are at the cutting edge of discovery in many fields. In this context\, the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) – a 16-country partnership including Canada that is building massive radio telescopes in South Africa and Australia – is a major new addition to Canada’s science\, technology and innovation (STI) ecosystem. Canadians are world leaders and valuable international partners in astronomy by many metrics\, and Canada’s SKAO membership will build on this reputation by providing telescope access that Canadian astronomers will leverage to discover the universe. \nEnhancing the research partnership between Canada and South Africa is particularly promising in the context of the SKAO: astronomy is a leading field in both nations and an area of extant collaboration\, South Africa is a major SKAO member and one of only two SKAO telescope host countries\, and the main Canadian technical SKAO contribution will be installed on the telescope in South Africa. But with this opportunity comes challenges: a complex Canadian science policy landscape for treaty organisations\, systemic inequities in research access and capacity between the two countries\, and the fragmentation that arises from the geographic distance between Canada and South Africa. With the first scientific data from the SKAO coming soon\, now is an opportune time to consider Canada\, South Africa\, and the SKAO in the Canadian science policy context. \nThis panel will bring together Canadian experts in STI\, science policy and government for a forward-looking exchange about how innovation in science policy can catalyse a strategic research partnership in astronomy with South Africa that is anchored by our mutual SKAO participation. The panel’s goal is to connect research interests and national priorities with innovations in science policy between Canada and South Africa\, focussing on opportunities\, barriers\, and actions to overcome them. \nSarah GallagherProfessor\, Physics and Astronomy & Director\, Institute for Earth and Space Exploration\, Western University See Bio×Sarah Gallagher\nDr. Sarah Gallagher is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy and the Director of the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration at Western University. Her astrophysics research focuses on studying growing supermassive black holes at the centres of distant galaxies and the interactions between galaxies in crowded environments. She has over 120 refereed papers that include data from 10 different space observatories\, and her research has been recognized with a Canadian Association of Physicists Fellowship and an Ontario Early Career Researcher Award. From 2018-2022\, she served as the first Science Advisor to the President of the Canadian Space Agency. In this role\, she advised the CSA Executive Committee on space science investments and capacity development and sat on the Departmental Science Advisor Network. She is active in science policy and an advocate for creating a diverse and inclusive space science community. She regularly talks to the public about astronomy and space\, and is currently serving as the Past President of the Canadian Astronomical Society.  \nPaul DufourPrincipal\, PaulicyWorks & Senior Fellow\, Institute for Science\, Society and Policy\, University of Ottawa See Bio×Paul Dufour\nPaul Dufour is Principal of PaulicyWorks and Senior Fellow with the Institute for Science\, Society and Policy\, University of Ottawa. \nMr Dufour served as Interim Executive Director of the Office of the National Science Adviser to the Government of Canada. Mr Dufour was a member of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society gold medal award-winning Canadian National Committee for the International Polar Year.  \nWith over four decades of experience in policy advice\, he was the lead of the Research on Knowledge Systems project with the International Development Research Centre; managed the science and technology attaché network at Foreign Affairs Canada; headed the international partnerships group at Natural Resources Canada\, and advisor to several of Canada’s Ministers for Science\, Research and Development. He was an Investment Committee Member of Grand Challenges Canada for global health for eight years.  \nMr. Dufour was educated at McGill\, the Université de Montréal and Concordia University in the history of science and science policy.  \nIn 2019\, Mr Dufour was the first recipient of the Canadian Science Policy Centre Award for Exceptional Achievement in Science Policy.  \n \nLerato Baidoo (Sebokolodi)Research Associate\, Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics\, University of Toronto See Bio×Lerato Baidoo (Sebokolodi)\nDr. Lerato Baidoo is a Research Associate at the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto and a former Postdoctoral Fellow. She is a radio astronomer specializing in radio galaxies\, active galactic nuclei\, cosmic magnetism\, galaxy clusters\, and the intergalactic medium.  \nHer work sits at the intersection of astrophysics and large-scale computational pipelines for radio astronomy. She writes\, debugs\, and optimizes software pipelines for high-volume survey data\, with an emphasis on validation\, reproducibility\, and science-ready public releases. Her contributions support major survey efforts such as POSSUM and VLASS\, helping deliver reliable data products for research and broader community use.  \nDr. Baidoo previously worked as a Scientific Researcher at IBM and earlier developed automated processing and data reduction pipelines for radio astronomy in South Africa\, including work supporting MeerKAT-era initiatives. She holds a PhD in Physics from Rhodes University and brings a Canada-South Africa perspective relevant to SKAO-era collaboration and science.  \nKristine SpekkensProfessor\, Department of Physics\, Engineering Physics and Astronomy\, Queen’s University See Bio×Kristine Spekkens\nDr. Kristine Spekkens is a professor in the Department of Physics\, Engineering Physics and Astronomy at Queen’s University\, where she is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Gas-Rich Galaxy Structure. She leads a research group that focusses on understanding the structure and evolution of nearby galaxies\, and she is particularly interested in using their atomic gas reservoirs to probe the interplay between the galaxy evolution and that of the universe itself. Dr. Spekkens leads a variety of initiatives to survey atomic gas in galaxies using the biggest radio telescopes in the world\, including facilities in Canada\, Australia\, the US and South Africa.  \nIn addition to her scientific research\, Dr. Spekkens is deeply involved in the international partnership to build the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope. Nationally\, she is the Canadian SKA Science Director who coordinates between stakeholders in universities\, government and industry. Internationally\, she is the Chair of the SKA Observatory’s Science and Engineering Advisory Committee\, which brings together experts from around the world to provide independent technical advice to the project. \nLuc SimardDirector-General\, National Research Council’s Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research CentreSee Bio×Luc Simard\nLuc Simard is the Director-General of the National Research Council’s Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre\, which represents Canada in the governance of the SKA Observatory (SKAO) and works with domestic and international partners to deliver key observatory systems. He has held leading governance roles in that context\, including the Canadian voting member on the SKAO Council. Dr. Simard also has oversight of other major Canadian STI investments in astronomy\, such as the Thirty Meter Telescope and the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre.  \nDr. Simard obtained his B.Sc. from Queen’s University in 1990 and his Ph.D. from the University of Victoria in 1996. From 1996 to 2002\, he held postdoctoral fellowships at the University of California – Santa Cruz and the University of Arizona.  \nDr. Simard joined the NRC in 2002 where he was the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope archive scientist at the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre from 2002 to 2005. He worked on the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) from 2005 to 2017\, and was the TMT Science Instruments Group Leader from 2009 to 2017\, and was appointed Director General of the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre in November 2018.  \nDr. Simard’s research interests include galaxy formation and evolution\, image processing and astronomical instrumentation.
URL:https://sciencepolicy.ca/event/canada-south-africa-astronomy-skao/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Virtual Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sciencepolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SKAO-April16-Panel-en.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Canadian Science Policy Centre":MAILTO:info@sciencepolicy.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260416T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260416T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T162925
CREATED:20260318T145734Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T212527Z
UID:33493-1776340800-1776358800@sciencepolicy.ca
SUMMARY:AI\, Democracy & Digital Rights Forum
DESCRIPTION:AI\, Democracy & Digital Rights Forum\, \nan EU Hub Ontario Initiative\nThe AI\, Democracy & Digital Rights Forum is a half-day event convened under the European Union Hub in Ontario initiative and organized by the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC)\, in partnership with The Dais\, OCAD University\, and others. \nTaking place on April 16\, 2026\, at the Université de l’Ontario français in Toronto\, the Forum will bring together policymakers\, researchers\, industry leaders\, civil-society organizations\, and international partners to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence\, democracy\, and digital rights. \nThe event marks an exciting new chapter in the EU’s presence in Ontario. It offers a unique platform for exchanging Canadian and European perspectives in the context of the EU–Canada Digital Partnership Council. Together\, participants will explore ways to strengthen democratic institutions\, promote civic participation\, and advance trusted digital innovation in bilateral cooperation. Discussions will foster cross-sector dialogue between European and Canadian stakeholders on how to advance collaboration in artificial intelligence and digital technologies while safeguarding ethical\, legal\, and human-rights standards. \nTopics\, among others\, will include: \n\nEthical\, social\, and legal dimensions of digital governance\nEU–Canada approaches to AI regulation and innovation\nDigital rights\, data governance\, and public trust\nThe role of industry\, civil society\, and youth in shaping the digital future\nResponsible AI adoption across the economy and society\n\nThe Forum will feature panel discussions\, policy dialogue\, and networking opportunities as part of the broader DemocracyXChange 2026 Summit in Toronto. \nFor more information or questions related to this event\, please email: info@sciencepolicy.ca \nThe Forum is free of charge. However\, due to limited space\, registration is required. Please register here: \nRegister HereSpeaker information coming soon!Genevieve TutsEU Ambassador to CanadaSee Bio×Genevieve Tuts\nGenevieve Tuts began her tenure at the helm of the Delegation of the European Union to Canada in September 2024. She has extensive experience gained in several EU institutions\, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs\, and the legal profession. She served as the Head of Cabinet for European Commissioner for Justice between December 2019 and August 2024.The portfolio included Justice\, Rule of law\, data protection\, and consumer law. \nAmbassador Tuts started her career as a lawyer specializing in EU law before becoming a magistrate with the Belgian Ministry of Justice. In 2002\, she transitioned to the cabinet of the Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs\, where she held key roles focused on European and external policies. As Belgium’s Representative in COREPER I in the EU Council of Ministers\, she addressed a wide range of EU policies\, including energy\, environment\, climate\, and digital. She also served 13 years as Director in the Council of Ministers\, leading the work of 3 Directorates: Transport\, Telecom\, Energy- inter institutional affairs and Legal service’s Directorate Quality of legislation. \nThe Ambassador holds a Master’s in European Law and a Law degree. She has been an assistant at Liege University at the law faculty and Master of Conference at ENA. She speaks French\, English\, and Dutch. She has practised improvisational acting and has a deep appreciation for diverse music genres\, playing both piano and guitar. Passionate by cinema she is also an outdoor enthusiast\, she enjoys running along rivers\, lakes\, and coastlines. \nAs the EU Ambassador to Canada\, Geneviève Tuts leads the EU Delegation in its work to strengthen ties between the European Union and Canada\, drawing on her extensive expertise in European policy and international relations. \nDr. Tesh W DagneAssociate Professor and Ontario Research Chair in Governing AISee Bio×Dr. Tesh W Dagne\nProfessor Dagne is an associate professor and holds the Ontario Research Chair position at York University in Canada. He teaches at the School of Public Policy and Administration and Osgoode Hall Law School. Professor Dagne’s current research examines the instrumentality of intellectual property\, privacy and data governance rules and norms in influencing societal outcomes\, either perpetuating or mitigating inequalities in AI deployment.  \n \nMarium Hamid\n Manager of Partnerships\, the Dais See Bio×Marium Hamid\nMarium Hamid (she/her) is the Manager of Partnerships at the Dais where she brings her skills in creating impactful relationships across industries and communities. She is deeply committed to understanding the intersections of economics\, technology\, and culture. At the Dais\, she is the lead on Canadian Democracy @ Work\, a non-partisan learning initiative to build civic skills for the digital age. In collaboration with employers and unions nation-wide\, the project aims to elevate digital media literacy\, AI skills\, and civic engagement – one workplace at a time. \nBefore joining the Dais\, Marium led workforce development at LinkedIn Canada\, enabling the public sector to leverage technology to create economic opportunities for Canadians. She advised libraries\, healthcare\, and workforce development organizations on strategies to better engage the communities around them. Previously\, she was at the Business+Higher Education Round Table delivering large-scale work-integrated learning opportunities to students.  \nBruce SchneierInternationally renowned security technologist & Author See Bio×Bruce Schneier\nBruce Schneier is an internationally renowned security technologist\, called a “security guru” by The Economist. He is the author of over one dozen books—including his latest\, Rewiring Democracy—as well as hundreds of articles and essays\, and many more academic papers. His influential newsletter Crypto-Gram and his blog Schneier on Security are read by over 250\,000 people. He has testified before Congress\, is a frequent guest on television and radio\, served on several government technical committees\, and is regularly quoted in the press. \nSamir ChhabraDirector General of Marketplace Framework Policy\, Innovation\, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) See Bio×Samir Chhabra\nSamir Chhabra is the Director General of Marketplace Framework Policy at Innovation\, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). In this role\, Samir oversees the development of policy advice on the effective functioning of Canada’s marketplaces\, including corporate and insolvency law\, privacy and data protection\, artificial intelligence\, intellectual property\, and competition law. More recently\, he has been cross-appointed as the Deputy Executive Director of the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (CAISI) to lead the policy\, coordination and international engagement functions of the CAISI. Samir has broad experience in public policy development and implementation\, having worked at all three Canadian central agencies (Privy Council Office\, Department of Finance\, Treasury Board Secretariat) as well as with the Department of National Defence\, amongst others. He also has significant private sector experience\, including as a strategy consultant in London\, UK\, where he advised organizations including the UK Home Office and large NHS hospitals on service delivery improvement opportunities. \nCostas KapsouropoulosDigital and Science Counsellor\, Delegation of the European Union to Canada See Bio×Costas Kapsouropoulos\nKonstantinos (Costas) Kapsouropoulos is the Digital and Science Counsellor at the EU Delegation to Canada since 1st July 2024. \nHe previously served as International Relations Officer at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Communications Networks\, Content\, and Technology (DG CONNECT). He was in charge of the Digital Partnerships of the European Union with Japan and the Republic of Korea since 2021. He was also the European Union Delegate at the OECD Digital Economic Policy Committee since 2023. \nHis areas of expertise are geopolitics of technology\, digital and science diplomacy\, EU public affairs and digital identities. \nKonstantinos Kapsouropoulos holds a Masters’ Degree in Geopolitics and International Relations from the Sorbonne Paris North University and a Law Degree from the University of Athens\, Greece. \nClaudia KrywiakPresident and CEO\, Ontario Centre of Innovation See Bio×Claudia Krywiak\nDr. Claudia Krywiak is the President and CEO at the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)\, a not-for-profit organization that accelerates the development\, commercialization\, and  adoption of new technologies.  \nA champion of innovation in Ontario and across Canada\, Dr. Krywiak has been with OCI  since 2011. She has consistently promoted innovation as a crucial driver of  competitiveness\, productivity\, and economic growth. In her role\, she leads the  development and deployment of emerging technology initiatives that bring together start ups\, government\, post-secondary institutions\, and multinational firms. Her leadership  covers a broad range of initiatives\, including those in artificial intelligence\, autonomous  and electric vehicles\, 5G and next-generation networks\, cybersecurity\, medtech and clean  technologies.  \nPreviously\, Dr. Krywiak was the Vice President of Business Development at Mitacs\, a  national research organization that funds research and training programs. Her career began  at Bruker Corporation enabling scientists to make breakthrough discoveries. She holds a  Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Toronto.  \nDr. Krywiak serves on the Boards of Directors for Signal49 Research\, the Centre for  Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine\, and Waterloo’s Accelerator Centre. \n \nVictoria Lennox\, MSMCEO of the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) See Bio×Victoria Lennox\, MSM\nVictoria Lennox\, MSM\, is an executive nonprofit leader and CEO of the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada\, Canada’s national centre of excellence for the women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. She leads a coordinated national network and stewards a $30M+ developmental loan fund advancing women entrepreneurs toward economic parity. Founder of Startup Canada and co-founder of NACUE (UK)\, she has built enduring institutions strengthening entrepreneurship globally. An Oxford-trained strategist in Global Governance and Diplomacy\, she advises senior governments on inclusive growth\, Indigenous economic development\, innovation\, and governance. Victoria has represented Canada at APEC Summits and Governor General State Visits\, and is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal\, the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion\, and the APEC Women Icon Award. \nNamir Anani\, P.Eng.President & CEO\, Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC)See Bio×Namir Anani\, P.Eng.\nNamir Anani\, President and CEO of the Information and Communications Technology Council (ictc-ctic.ca)\, is the chief strategist and driving force in bringing ICTC’s world-class centre of expertise and services to industry\, education and government; enabling Canada’s advancement as a leader in innovation\, productivity in the global economy. Before joining ICTC\, Namir previously led Policy Development & Research at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). \nHe has also held several executive leadership roles in both the private and public sectors including the Department of Canadian Heritage (Director General & CEO)\, CGI consulting\, Nortel\, and Novartis (Switzerland). Mr. Anani’s experience extends to; strategic policy development and implementation\, learning and capacity building\, business transformation\, national/international strategic alliances\, economic and market research\, and technology innovation. \nNamir holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Salford (UK) and holds Professional Engineer designation in Ontario (P. Eng.). He is also a board member of the Women in Communications and Technology. \nJutta TreviranusDirector & Professor\, Inclusive Design Research Centre\, OCAD UniversitySee Bio×Jutta Treviranus\nJutta Treviranus is the Director of the Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC) and professor in the faculty of Design at OCAD University in Toronto. Jutta established the IDRC in 1993 as the nexus of a growing global community that proactively works to ensure that our digitally transformed and globally connected society is designed inclusively.  Dr. Treviranus also founded an innovative graduate program in inclusive design at OCAD University.  Jutta is credited with developing a co-design methodology with her team that has been adopted by public and private sector organizations internationally. She has coordinated many research networks with and by people with disabilities. She is the chair of the Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence standards committee for the Accessible Canada Act and recognized for her work in AI by Women in AI.  \nAshley Rose MehlenbacherProfessor and Canada Research Chair in Science\, Health\, and Technology Communication\, University of WaterlooSee Bio×Ashley Rose Mehlenbacher\nAshley Rose Mehlenbacher is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Science\, Health\, and Technology Communication at the University of Waterloo. Professor Mehlenbacher is a rhetorical scholar who investigates the rhetoric of science\, technology\, and medicine (RSTM). Professor Mehlenbacher is the author of On Expertise: Cultivating Character\, Goodwill\, and Practical Wisdom (Penn State University Press\, 2022)\, Science Communication Online: Engaging Experts and Publics on the Internet (The Ohio State University Press\, 2019). She is also co-author\, with Christopher Thaiss\, of Writing Science In the Twenty-First Century\, Second Edition (Broadview Press\, 2025)\, and co-editor\, with Carolyn R. Miller\, of Emerging Genres in New Media Environments (Palgrave\, 2017).
URL:https://sciencepolicy.ca/event/ai-democracy-digital-rights-forum/
LOCATION:Université de l’Ontario français\, 9 Lower Jarvis St\, Toronto\, ON\, M5E 0C3\, Canada
CATEGORIES:In-Person Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sciencepolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AI-Democracy-DigitalRights-Forum-Headshots-Panels-April16-2026.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260422T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260422T143000
DTSTAMP:20260403T162925
CREATED:20260325T185911Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T211538Z
UID:33463-1776862800-1776868200@sciencepolicy.ca
SUMMARY:Youth Perspectives on Science Policy
DESCRIPTION:Register HereThis panel brings together youth and early-career voices to explore how Canada’s science\, technology\, and innovation ecosystem can better reflect the realities\, aspirations\, and lived experiences of the next generation. Grounded in key insights and learnings that emerged from the STEM Youth Summit & Expo 2026\, this panel will center youth perspectives and will examine how existing structures may miss or overlook diverse voices. The discussion will explore gaps between training and opportunity\, barriers to participation\, and the role of youth in shaping more inclusive and forward-looking policies. By bringing youth voices directly into the conversation\, this panel aims to reimagine a policy landscape where young people are key contributors to Canada’s innovation future. \nSpeaker information coming soon!Nyasha Gondora (Moderator)Director of Research and Policy\, Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST) See Bio×Nyasha Gondora\nNyasha Gondora was born and raised in Zimbabwe\, where she developed an early passion for science after witnessing the transformative impact of medicine and science in her community. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Trinity University in the United States\, where she was the recipient of nearly $100\,000 in academic scholarships\, and there she discovered her passion for research. She proceeded to complete a PhD in Neuropharmacology at the University of Waterloo\, becoming the first Black PhD graduate of her department in 2020. During her doctoral training\, Nyasha received numerous competitive awards recognizing her excellence in research\, research and science communications\, and community impact.\nFollowing postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto\, Nyasha transitioned into science policy through the Mitacs Canadian Science Policy Fellowship. She also spent six years as an academic consultant\, supporting more than 750 students across North America in their journeys to professional school (e.g.\, medical and pharmacy school) or research careers. Drawing on experience across academia\, consulting\, and government\, Nyasha brings an intersectional perspective to advancing science\, talent development\, and inclusive innovation.\nA passionate advocate for representation and empowerment\, Nyasha has held leadership and board roles in national and international organizations. In recognition of her leadership and impact\, she was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch in 2024. Nyasha currently serves as Director of Policy and Research at the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST)\, where she is proud to be part of an amazing team advancing meaningful and lasting change for communities across Canada. \nGrace LeeYouth Ambassador from British Columbia See Bio×Grace Lee\nGrace Lee is a Grade 10 student from Vancouver and founder of MindwithGrace\, her passion project dedicated to raising awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease by hosting talks at school\, creating educational content to make research accessible to youth\, and advocating for more empathy in dementia care on social media. She’s inspired by the resilience and wisdom of people living with dementia and their families\, and believes youth have an important role in changing how society approaches these conversations. Grace volunteers in research labs\, visiting retirement homes to test interventions with patients and families\, and speaks at conferences about the significance of youth perspectives in brain health and the systems that shape how we understand Alzheimer’s. What brings her joy is connecting with people across generations. \nMelvin AdekanyeYouth Ambassador from AlbertaSee Bio×Melvin Adekanye\nMelvin Adekanye is an entrepreneur and builder focused on creating technology and experiences that help people connect\, grow\, and create meaningful impact. \nMaria PitanYouth Ambassador from OntarioSee Bio×Maria Pitan\nBio coming soon! \nRidhima AroraYouth Ambassador from AlbertaSee Bio×Ridhima Arora\nBio coming soon! \nBurhan HassanYouth Ambassador from AlbertaSee Bio×Burhan Hassan\nBio coming soon!
URL:https://sciencepolicy.ca/event/youth-perspectives-on-science-policy/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Virtual Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sciencepolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SCWIST-April22-Panel-en.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Canadian Science Policy Centre":MAILTO:info@sciencepolicy.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260428T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260428T133000
DTSTAMP:20260403T162925
CREATED:20260316T170647Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T185104Z
UID:33464-1777377600-1777383000@sciencepolicy.ca
SUMMARY:Unlocking the Promise of Cell and Gene Therapies in Canada Through Translational Research: Making Evidence Where It Matters
DESCRIPTION:Register HereCanada stands at a critical juncture in the development and adoption of cell and gene therapies (CGTs)\, transformative treatments that hold potential for curing or significantly improving the course of life-threatening and chronic diseases. Innovation is progressing rapidly; however\, Canada’s life sciences and healthcare ecosystem is not in a state of readiness to bring these advanced therapies to our patients.  \nRecent reports and discussions have focused on accelerated patient access to CGTs through system integration efforts such as aligning regulatory and reimbursement processes and bolstering healthcare infrastructure and coordination. This panel positions translational research as the lynchpin for converting scientific promise into clinical\, regulatory\, and payer confidence—providing the high-quality\, decision-ready evidence needed to reduce uncertainty and move therapies from discovery into clinical development and\, ultimately\, patient care.  \nUnlike most sectors\, advancing a technology in the life sciences requires repeated engagement with regulators across the full development continuum\, from preclinical programs\, to first-in-human studies\, to pivotal trials\, post-market evidence generation\, and back again as new questions emerge. For CGTs in particular\, this iterative pathway demands a laser focus on clinical translation: generating robust\, credible evidence that satisfies regulators\, payers\, clinicians\, and patients. Importantly\, this focus represents a shared metric of success for both academia and industry.   \nAnchoring this translational work in Canada points to important questions about where evidence should be generated\, how domestic clinical development shapes learning\, and what advantages may emerge when regulators\, researchers\, and developers evolve together through ongoing evidence generation. Drawing on international experts from Europe and the United States alongside Canadian leadership\, panelists with diverse experiences in the research\, healthcare\, industry\, and regulatory sectors will explore:  \n\nWhat evidence unlocks translation of CGTs\, and how does that differ for regulators\, health technology assessment (HTA) bodies\, clinicians\, patients and investors?\nHow do regulators act as partners in CGT translation\, not just gatekeepers?\nHow do we anchor translational research domestically and why does it matter?\nWhat can Canada learn from other countries seeking to enable safe\, timely\, and equitable access to CGTs through product and policy innovation grounded in high-quality evidence?\n\nSpeaker information coming soon!Stéphanie Michaud\, PhDPresident and CEO\, BioCanRx See Bio×Dr. Stéphanie Michaud\nStéphanie Michaud\, PhD is the President and CEO of BioCanRx\, a not-for-profit in Canada that seeks to accelerate the delivery of innovative immunotherapies from the bench to the bedside. In this position\, Dr. Michaud is responsible for running all facets of the organization. She brings more than 20 years of public\, government and private sector experience in research and Science & Technology innovation policy. She strives to create partnerships between government\, not-for-profits\, academia and industry to maximize the impact of research funded by the BioCanRx network on the lives of those affected by cancer. \nPrior to joining BioCanRx\, Dr. Michaud was Deputy Director of the flagship Government of Canada Networks Centres of Excellence (NCE) program. In addition to responsibility for its performance\, management and delivery\, she led the implementation of high profile bilateral international initiatives and provided strategic advice to government and stakeholders. She is a strong contributor to S&T policy\, most notably in intellectual property. Dr. Michaud earned a PhD in Organic Chemistry from McGill University. She is involved with a number of not-for-profit organizations and is a member of the Board of Directors of Research Canada and CQDM and also\, the Advisory Board of the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance.  \nPeter Marks\, MD\, PhDSenior Vice President\, Molecule Discovery & Head of Infectious Disease\, Eli Lilly See Bio×Peter Marks\, MD\, PhD\nPeter Marks\, MD\, PhD received his graduate degree in cell and molecular biology and his medical degree at New York University and completed Internal Medicine residency and Hematology/Medical Oncology training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. He has worked in academic settings teaching and caring for patients and in industry on drug development. In 2012\, he joined the Food and Drug Administration and served as Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research from 2016 to 2025. He is currently Senior Vice President for Molecule Development and Head of Infectious Disease at Eli Lilly and Company\, has published extensively\, and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. \nNatasha Kekre\, MD\, MPH\, FRCPCHematologist\, Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program\, The Ottawa Hospital See Bio×Dr. Natasha Kekre\nNatasha Kekre\, MD\, MPH\, FRCPC is a Transplant Physician/Hematologist within the Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH)\, Scientist and Program Director of the Cancer Research Program within the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI)\, and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. She holds the Research Chair in Advanced Stem Cell Therapy at TOH. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Ottawa\, where she also trained in Internal Medicine and Hematology. She went on to do a fellowship in stem cell transplantation at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston with a Masters in Public Health from Harvard University. \nDr. Kekre’s research focuses on translating home-grown therapeutic strategies into early phase clinical trials for patients with hematologic malignancies. She collaborated with scientists and physicians across Canada to build the internationally recognized Canadian-Led Immunotherapies Collaborative (CLIC) program and initiate the first clinical trial of a made-in-Canada CAR-T therapy. Building on these transformational achievements\, she is now working to expand this platform to other made-in-Canada CAR-T products. Other research interests include clinical research focused on blood and marrow transplant and CAR-T therapy recipients\, and projects with an epidemiologic focus. \nPatrick Bedford\, MBA\, MBHL\, BHScVice President\, Regulatory & Strategic Operations\, Morphocell Technologies See Bio×Patrick Bedford\nPatrick Bedford\, MBA\, MBHL\, BHSc is the Vice President of Regulatory & Strategic Operations at Morphocell Technologies\, Inc and Founder of weCANreg Consulting Group\, Inc. He brings deep expertise in translational\, regulatory\, and compliance strategies for emerging biotechnologies\, having led policy development for biosimilars\, transplant materials\, and cell & gene therapies during his career at Health Canada\, where he also represented Canada internationally on classification and harmonization committees. Since 2016\, Patrick has been a prominent Canadian advocate in the global cell & gene therapy community\, supporting dozens of early-stage programs and multiple commercial cell and gene therapy products. In addition to his industry leadership\, he continues to shape regulatory policy in North America and actively contributes to Canada’s innovation ecosystem as a guest lecturer at universities and an advisor through accelerators such as Creative Destruction Labs and Lab2Market. \n \nCarmen Sanges\, PhDEU Initiatives Scientific & Strategic Project Lead\, Cellular Immunotherapy Program\, University Hospital Würzburg See Bio×Dr. Carmen Sanges\nCarmen Sanges\, PhD is a medical biotechnologist with a PhD in Molecular Biology and Medical Biotechnology and over seven years of industry experience in clinical operations and translational research. She is EU Initiatives Scientific & Strategic Project Lead at the Cellular Immunotherapy Program of the University Hospital Würzburg (UKW) and Executive Director of the T2EVOLVE Association. Carmen coordinates and contributes to multiple European initiatives in advanced therapies\, with a strong focus on CAR-T and TCR cell therapies\, regulatory science\, manufacturing innovation\, and patient access\, and is committed to building sustainable\, cross-stakeholder ecosystems across Europe.
URL:https://sciencepolicy.ca/event/unlocking-cgts/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Virtual Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sciencepolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BioCanRx-April28-Panel-en.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Canadian Science Policy Centre":MAILTO:info@sciencepolicy.ca
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