Professor Alejandro Adem will continue to provide strong leadership to Canada's science and engineering community
Canada's science and research sectors benefit from the Government of Canada's support for visionaries, explorers and innovators. Working alongside universities, colleges and businesses, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) helps them find solutions to today's global challenges and enables discoveries and innovations that advance knowledge and improve the lives of Canadians.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the reappointment of Professor Alejandro Adem as the president of NSERC for a five-year term, effective October 1, 2024.
Under his leadership since 2019, NSERC has played a key role in supporting research related to the Government of Canada's priorities, including artificial intelligence, quantum innovation, research security, electric vehicles, critical minerals, Indigenous research and net-zero emissions targets. NSERC has experienced its highest-ever levels of research funding; implemented policies to enhance equity, diversity and inclusion across Canada's research landscape; and overseen a significant expansion of international collaboration opportunities available to Canadian researchers and students. In his second term, Professor Adem will continue to support research excellence and innovative partnerships with private, public and not-for-profit organizations to strengthen Canada's economy, society and future.
Professor Adem has been president of NSERC since October 2019. As a highly accomplished researcher in the field of mathematics and a faculty member at the University of British Columbia, Professor Adem has significant leadership experience in the Canadian research and innovation ecosystem. He was previously CEO and scientific director of Mitacs (2015-2019), where he oversaw a significant expansion of its domestic and international internship programs.
Professor Adem is currently Chair of the Canada Research Coordinating Committee and Chair of the Global Research Council's Governing Board, and he serves on the Board of Trustees of the Human Frontier Science Program. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, a Fellow of the Canadian Mathematical Society and a Corresponding Member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences.
