Dr. Alejandro Adem appointed CEO and Scientific Director of Mitacs

Vancouver, BC — The Mitacs Board of Directors announced today the appointment of Dr. Alejandro Adem as the new Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director. Currently the Director of the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) and a professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Dr. Adem will assume his role on February 1, 2015.

Dr. Adem brings to his new position strong academic qualifications, a broad international background, and extensive leadership experience. Director of PIMS since 2008, Dr. Adem built national and international partnerships, managed multiple levels of funding, and developed industrial collaborations. Before this role, he served as co-Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute at Berkeley (2003–2007) and Chair of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (1999–2002).

His international experience includes placements at ETH Zurich, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Max Planck Institute in Bonn, Princeton University, and the University of Paris VII and XIII.

Dr. Adem has a PhD from Princeton University and a BSc from the National University of Mexico. He joined UBC in 2004 and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Association for Research in the Mathematical Sciences and the Banff International Research Station.     

Effective February 1, 2015, interim CEO Dr. Rob Annan will continue in his role as Chief Research Officer. Dr. Annan led the organization during an important time of transition, and the Board sincerely thanks him for his outstanding leadership, passion, and commitment.

Quotes:

Brad Bennett, Chair, Board of Directors, Mitacs

“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Adem in his new role as CEO and Scientific Director of Mitacs. He is highly respected for his international experience and strong leadership in the academic community, and we look forward to his expertise and vision that will help us continue to advance innovation in Canada.”

Dr. Alejandro Adem, incoming CEO and Scientific Director, Mitacs

“I am honoured to receive this opportunity. Mitacs is respected for its entrepreneurial approach and commitment to research-based collaboration. I look forward to building on these successes as we continue on our path toward greater innovation in Canada.”

Quick facts:

• Mitacs is a national, private not-for-profit organization that develops the next generation of innovators with vital skills through a suite of unique research and training programs.
• Mitacs runs programs for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows: Accelerate, Elevate, Step, and Globalink.
• In partnership with companies, government and universities, Mitacs is supporting a new economy using Canada’s most valuable resource — its people.

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