Former UBC president David Strangway has been appointed president and chief
executive officer of the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
“Dr. Strangway brings to the position an impressive track record in scientific
research and as president of a leading research university,” said foundation
chair John Evans on announcing the appointment.
A geophysicist, Strangway worked for the National Aeronautic and Space Administration
(NASA) prior to becoming vice-president at the University of Toronto and president
of UBC.
Strangway succeeds the CFI’s founding president, the late Prof. Keith Brimacombe
of UBC’s Dept. of Metals and Materials Engineering.
Established in 1997 with funds from the federal government, the CFI’s mandate
is to invest in infrastructure for research and development in Canadian post-secondary
education institutions and research hospitals.
Its initial capital fund of $800 million will be committed to projects over
the next five years, matched by investments from governments and the private
sector.
UBC President Martha Piper is one of the six founding members of the CFI.
Strangway’s appointment is effective June 1.
