SASKATCHEWAN POLYTECHNIC
Dr. Susan Blum announced as new NRC Canada member

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is pleased to share that Dr. Susan Blum, associate vice-president, Applied Research and Innovation at Sask Polytech, has been appointed to the National Research Council (NRC) Canada by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport.

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"Congratulations to Dr. Blum on this exciting appointment to the NRC, Canada's largest federal research and development organization," says Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO. "Susan will bring a wealth of experience to this role and will play an important part in providing strategic guidance in the areas of applied research and innovation to improve the lives of Canadians."

"I am proud to be a member of the NRC. I am passionate about applied research and excited to contribute to Canadian research and innovation," says Blum. "Research, including applied research, conducted at the NRC plays a key role in generating new ideas and supporting innovation in transportation and manufacturing, engineering and life sciences, and digital and emerging technologies in Canada."

Blum received her Ph.D. in biology from the University of Saskatchewan with a focus on free-ranging polar bears. After graduation, she accepted a position as polar bear biologist for the Government of Nunavut. She spent eight years conducting polar bear research in Churchill, Resolute Bay and throughout the central Arctic. She spent 16 years leading the administration of research ethics, grants and contracts at the University of Saskatchewan. She has been the associate vice-president of Applied Research and Innovation at Saskatchewan Polytechnic since 2016. Her professional involvements span a wide array of national and international committees, societies, networks and associations.

Applied research projects at Sask Polytech are steered by industry, business and the community. Through a collaborative applied research approach Sask Polytech helps industries adapt to technological advancements, respond to changing needs and contribute to creating a stable economy. Faculty and staff combine their expertise with a wide spectrum of leading-edge technology to assist research partners with capital-intensive components of the product development process.

The NRC is the Government of Canada's largest science and research organization, supporting Canadian industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge and the development of technology. It invests in research excellence and is a collaboration partner in helping high-potential small and medium-sized businesses achieve scale. With 14 research centres and 22 locations across Canada, the NRC is truly national in scope.

These appointments were made under the Government of Canada's new approach to Governor in Council appointments. This approach supports open, transparent and merit-based selection processes, which strive for gender parity and reflect Canada's diversity, to support ministers in making appointment recommendations for positions within their portfolio by providing them with information and referrals.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves students through applied learning opportunities at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and through extensive distance education opportunities. Programs serve every economic and public service sector. As a polytechnic, the organization provides the depth of learning appropriate to employer and student need, including certificate, diploma and degree programs, and apprenticeship training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic engages in applied research, drawing on faculty expertise to support innovation by employers, and providing students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.