Accomplished researchers named in new Mitacs fellowship

Ottawa, ON — Mitacs, a national not-for-profit research and training organization, announces the recipients of the Canadian Science Policy Fellowship, a new pilot program that fosters relationships between government decision makers and academic researchers to help support policy challenges facing Canada.

The Canadian Science Policy Fellowship sees accomplished PhD holders inform policy development, implementation, and/or evaluation in seven Government of Canada’s departments and agencies starting this fall.

The recipients of the 2016–17 Canadian Science Policy Fellowship:

• Pierre-Olivier Bédard, Université Laval
  Host: Global Affairs Canada
  Project: Undertaking research and analysis around the  latest trends in international development knowledge and partnerships
• Marie Claire Brisbois, University of Waterloo
  Host: Natural Resources Canada
  Project: Reviewing NRCan’s science advice role within the federal environmental assessment process
• Marija Cemma, University of Toronto
  Host: Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  Project: Supporting the implementation of the Biosafety Level 4 Zoonotic Laboratory Network’s (BSL4ZNet) strategic focus areas (BSL4ZNet is a new global alliance of 18 organizations from 5 countries working together to face high containment bio-threats like Ebola, Crimean Congo, and Henipavirus)
• Aaron Franks, Queen’s University
  Host: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
  Project: Supporting the continuous development of policy and programming related to Aboriginal research and reconciliation
• Kimberly Girling, University of British Columbia
  Host: Defence Research and Development Canada
  Project: Conducting a comprehensive view of the policy landscape pertaining to globalization and technologically enhanced future capabilities
• Carin Holroyd, University of Saskatchewan
  Host: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), in partnership with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
  Project: Supporting policy development work on the culture of innovation in Canada
• Alexandra Mallett, Carleton University
  Host: Natural Resources Canada
  Project: Conducting long-term thinking on Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy
• Justin Marleau, McGill University
  Host: Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  Project: Developing and identifying antimicrobial use (AMU) data for the animal agriculture sector to build a robust monitoring and tracking system for AMU
• Joelle Thorpe, Queen’s University
  Host: Defence Research and Development Canada
  Project: Conducting a comprehensive view of the policy landscape pertaining to globalization and technologically enhanced future capabilities
• Jacquelyne Poon, University of Cambridge
  Host: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  Project: Contributing to engagement efforts with universities (in areas of agricultural science, plant science, animal science, environmental sciences, and food science) to assess the current situation and identify long-term needs for highly qualified personnel in agriculture and agri-food
• Derek van der Kamp, University of British Columbia
  Host: Office of the Auditor General of Canada
  Project: Assessing initiatives taken by the federal government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Quote:

Alejandro Adem, CEO and Scientific Director, Mitacs

“Mitacs’ Canadian Science Policy Fellowship aims to support evidence-based decision making within government. Through these fellowships, our accomplished researchers will have opportunities to help enhance the communication, collaboration, and capacity of public policy-making.”

Quick facts:

• The Canadian Science Policy Fellowship is made possible thanks to Professor Sarah Otto, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia; participating federal agencies and departments; the University of Ottawa’s Institute for Science, Society and Policy; and Mitacs’ Science Policy Fellowship Advisory Council.
• Mitacs is a national not-for-profit organization led by Canadian universities that has designed and delivered research and training programs in Canada for more than 16 years.
• Working with 60 universities, thousands of companies, and federal and provincial governments, Mitacs builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada.

Links:

• To learn more about the Canadian Science Policy fellows, read their biographies here.
• For information about Mitacs and our programs, see mitacs.ca/newsroom

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