Life sciences, electric transition focus of Ontario initiatives with Oshawa prof in key role [Video]

Ontario Tech University’s Vice-President of Research and Innovation will be putting that fancy title to work this year as the co-chair of a province-wide initiative aimed at strengthening Ontario’s growing life sciences ecosystem.

Dr. Les Jacobs, a leading international expert in human rights and global health and a vice-president at the Oshawa school since 2019, will help lead a Council of Ontario Universities (COU) initiative looking at opportunities to expand health innovation, medical technology, biomanufacturing, agriculture and agri-food.

The life sciences strategy is one of two initiatives the COU, in partnership with the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), is developing this year, with the other an acceleration of Ontario’s role as a global powerhouse in the electric vehicle transition.

Raed Kadri, the OCI’s vice-president of strategic initiatives and business development (as well as heading up the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network), co-chairs both programs and will partner with Andrew Dean, Lakehead …