Person: Dr Mario Pinto

Canada to lead council of global research funders

Canada’s renewed efforts to raise its profile on the global stage were bolstered last week with news that Dr. Mario Pinto will take over as chair of the Global Research Council (GRC), a federation comprising the heads of 70 science and engineering funding councils from 50 countries. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) president replaces Dr. Yuichiro Anzai, president of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, who now becomes vice-chair. As GRC chair, Pinto will represent the interests of Canada’s major research granting agencies.

Dr Mario Pinto

Dr Mario Pinto has officially taken up his position in Ottawa as president of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). Pinto began exercising his official duties in mid-November, several months after being appointed incoming NSERC president (R$, June 26/14). He replaces Dr Suzannne Fortier, who stepped down in March/13 prior to assuming her…

Dr Indira Samarasekera

Dr Indira Samarasekera will become a distinguished fellow in residence at the Univ of British Columbia’s Liu Institute for Global Issues next July. Samarasekera completes her term as the president of the Univ of Alberta in June — a posting she held for 10 years. She was previously at UBC for more than 30 years…

Dr Cara Tannenbaum

Dr Cara Tannenbaum has been appointed scientific director of the Canadian Institute of Health Research’s Institute of Gender and Health, effective January 1/15,replacing Dr Joy Johnson. Tannenbaum comes to CIHR from the Univ of Montreal where she is a professor and holds the Michel Saucier Endowed Chair in Geriatric Pharmacology, Health and Aging. Her research…

William Owen

William Owen has been appointed president and CEO of Nortel Networks Corp, replacing Frank Dunn who was terminated for cause on April 28. Owen has a long business and military background, including vice chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. Since leaving the military in the mid 1990s, he has held executive positions in…

Ian Lennox

Ian Lennox has resigned from MDS Inc to pursue other interests. Lennox joined the Toronto-based company in 2000 when it acquired Phoenix International Life Sciences Inc, of which he was president and CEO. He led the integration of the two companies and contributed to the analytical and proteomics businesses. Most recently he was group president…

Dr Mario Pinto

Dr Mario Pinto has been appointed VP research at Simon Fraser Univ, replacing Dr Bruce Clayman (R$, April 26/04). Pinto is a professor with the department of chemistry. His research focus is carbohydrate-protein interactions and carbohydrate mimicry….

Dr Don Kjosness

Dr Don Kjosness has been appointed chair of the advisory board for TRLab’s Network for Emerging Wireless Technology (NEWT). Kjosness has more than 30 years of experience within information, communications and space technologies. He enjoyed a 27-year career with SED Systems, leaving in 1998 for consulting work with government and the private sector…