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U15 Welcomes the appointment of Dr. Mona Nemer as Canada’s Chief Science Advisor

Ottawa, ON – September 26, 2017 – The U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities welcomes the appointment of Dr. Mona Nemer as Canada’s Chief Science Advisor. Reporting to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Science, the Chief Science Advisor will play a key role in ensuring that transparent communication of science and evidence-based policy-making are among the federal government’s top priorities.

The announcement was made earlier today in Ottawa by the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and the Minister of Science, Kirsty Duncan.

A distinguished international researcher, Dr. Nemer is a cardiovascular scientist whose work has contributed to the development of diagnostic tests for heart failure and the genetics of cardiac birth defects. Dr. Nemer is professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa and Director of the Molecular Genetics and Cardiac Regeneration Laboratory. Between 2006 and 2017, she served as Vice-President, Research, at the University of Ottawa. In this capacity, she oversaw research strategies, infrastructure and commercialization to advance the university’s research intensity.

“The U15 applauds the government for taking the important step of appointing a Chief Science Advisor to ensure that scientific evidence drives important policy decisions,” says U15 Chair Guy Breton, Rector of the University of Montreal. “Dr. Nemer is a formidable scholar with a keen understanding of the importance of research for Canada. She will be a strong advocate for evidence-based decision-making in the government. We are looking forward to working with our colleague in her new role.”

For further information, please contact:

Beth Palmer

Acting Director, Public Affairs, U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities

613-695-0093

beth.palmer@u15.ca

2017

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