Suzanne Fortier leaves NSERC

Ottawa, ON – Dr Suzanne Fortier, president of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), has announced that she has left her position at NSERC to become principal and vice-chancellor of McGill University, which will be effective in September 2013.

In her announcement, she said “When I assumed the presidency in 2006, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) was well known for its strong leadership and its exemplary service to research communities across Canada. Since that first day on the job, I’ve worked hard—with both passion and pride—to build on NSERC’s strong foundation and to ensure that we meet the challenges of an ever-changing environment, one where science and innovation must adapt to an increasingly global and fast-paced world.

“I am pleased that, over the past seven years, NSERC has successfully renewed its focus on excellence, increased its capacity to attract and retain the best students and professors, and promoted collaboration between business entrepreneurs and academics. Removing barriers among disciplines, sectors and nations—while forging strong partnerships with other national and international granting agencies—has also been a key focus at NSERC.”

She added that James Edwards, vice-president and chair of Council has assumed the role of president, on an interim basis, and Janet Walden, NSERC’s vice-president of Research Partnerships Programs will be assisting him.