Peter Frise, FCAE
Professor, Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, and Director, Centre for Automotive Research and Education, University of Windsor (Windsor, ON)
Formerly the Scientific Director and CEO of AUTO 21, Canada’s national automotive research and development (R&D) program, based out of the University of Windsor, Dr. Frise oversees a program which brings together nearly 200 researchers, 440 graduate students from 46 institutions, in partnership with 110 industry and public sector companies.
Born in Peterborough, Ontario on April 16, 1958, Dr. Frise has always had a fascination with technology. He received degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University in Kingston and Carleton University in Ottawa. Before coming to Windsor, he began his engineering career working in Nigeria for Schlumberger Wireline Services as a data logging engineer, then in Bolton, Ontario working for Husky Injection Molding Systems as an R&D engineer.
Since coming to the University of Windsor, Dr. Frise has also held the Chrysler Canada/NSERC/University of Windsor Senior Industrial Research Chair and was instrumental in founding Canada’s first university program in Automotive Engineering in 1998. He is a member of Defense Research & Development Canada, the National Research Council of Canada, and the Defense Science Advisory Board of Canada. Besides serving on the boards of the Yves Landry Foundation, Ontario BioAuto Council, and SAE Foundation Canada, he is also the Chair of the Windsor Public Library Board.
When he has time, Dr. Frise is an avowed “car guy,” with a penchant for Mazda Miatas. He also enjoys motorcycling and flying radio controlled planes with the Sun Parlor R/C Flyers Club. Dr. Frise is married with three daughters.
Role: Panel Member
Report: Choosing Canada's Automotive Future (March 2021)