Molly Shoichet is appointed as Ontario's first chief scientist
Toronto, Nov 20 (IBNS): Based on public consultations, Molly Shoichet, a professor at the University of Toronto, has been appointed as Ontario’s first Chief Scientist.
Shoichet, a researcher and award-winning expert in the study of polymers for drug delivery and tissue regeneration and a member of the Order of Ontario, will report to Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science and will advise Ontario’s Premier Kathleen Wynne in promoting the country's world-class science both at home and to international audiences.
The media quoted Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), as saying, “We are pleased to see the Government of Ontario moving forward on the appointment of a Chief Scientist. We now face a world that is changing more rapidly than at any other time in history, and governments need to understand emerging science in order to craft policy informed by the best scientific advice.”
Canada ranks among the world’s top 10 countries for total research publication output; from 2009 to 2014, Ontario produced about 46 percent of Canada’s national output.
Ontario plans to increase the number of postsecondary students graduating in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines by 25 percent over the next five years, to 50,000 per year, giving Ontario the highest number per capita of postsecondary STEM graduates in North America.
According to media reports, Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, said, “As we tackle some of today’s biggest challenges, science plays an increasingly vital role in helping governments make informed decisions. I am excited that Molly Shoichet will become Ontario’s first Chief Scientist. I look forward to her thought leadership and advice on how we can strengthen the research and innovation happening across our province — and how we can apply scientific evidence to make government smarter and more effective.”
According to an official release, recruiting a Chief Scientist is part of Ontario’s five-year, $650-million Business Growth Initiative, which is helping to grow the economy and create jobs by promoting an innovation-based economy, helping small companies scale up and modernizing regulations for businesses.
Congratulating Shoichet for becoming Ontario’s first Chief Scientist, Reza Moridi, Ontario’s Minister of Research, Innovation and Science was quoted by the media as saying, “She is one of the top biomedical scientists in the country, with in-depth knowledge of Ontario’s research community. As Chief Scientist, she will help us continue a proud tradition of science and research excellence through evidence-based decision making and will open the world to the incredible innovative talent and technologies Ontario has to offer.”
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
Images: Molly Shoichet (Source: Twitter)
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