David Strangway to Serve as Expert Panel Chair on Canadian Ocean Science

The Council of Canadian Academies is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. David Strangway O.C., FRSC as Chair of the Expert Panel on Canadian Ocean Science.  In July 2012, the Canadian Consortium of Ocean Research Universities (CCORU) requested that the Council conduct an in-depth, evidence-based assessment of ocean science, focusing on future opportunities and challenges for Canada and for its coasts.As Chair of the Council’s Expert Panel, Dr. Strangway will work with a multidisciplinary group of experts, to be appointed by the Council’s Board of Governors. The Panel will focus on answering the following question: What are Canada’s needs and capacities with regard to the major research questions in ocean science that would enable it to address Canadian ocean issues and issues relating to Canada’s coasts and enhance its leading role as an international partner in ocean science?

David Strangway has had a distinguished and impressive career. As the former Chief of Geophysics for NASA, Dr. Strangway had the opportunity to participate in the Apollo 17 lunar mission by conducting remote electromagnetic experiments on the surface of the moon.  He has also served as the President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation, where he played an important role in the creation of the Canada Research Chairs program. As well, he has served as President of the University of British Columbia, a position he held for over a decade.  Dr. Strangway is also the founding chancellor of Quest University.

The Council, under the guidance of its Scientific Advisory Committee, is assembling an expert panel to complete its assessment on Canadian Ocean Science. The panel will consist of experts from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds to ensure the most authoritative, credible, and independent response to the question.

For continued updates on the status of the assessment visit the Canadian Ocean Science page.