As we move into the next phase of strengthening support for TMU's institutional scholarly, research and creative (SRC) partnership and commercialization efforts, I am pleased to share leadership changes taking place in the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (OVPRI).
First, I would like to extend sincere thanks to Chris Webb for his exceptional service as interim assistant vice-president. He stepped into a complex and evolving portfolio and, during this period, advanced major institutional partnerships, including the Transit Innovation Yard; strengthened commercialization and industry engagement by enhancing coordination and support across the university; and recruited strong talent to reinforce and advance this work.
We are grateful for Chris' leadership and collaborative approach, and for the strong foundation he has helped reinforce across the partnership and commercialization portfolio.
I am delighted to welcome Michelle Chrétien as our new assistant vice-president, research partnerships and commercialization.
Michelle joins TMU with a distinguished record of building and sustaining partnerships that translate research into application. Her extensive industry experience, including her work at Xerox fostering collaborations with universities, reflects her ability to bridge sectors and translate SRC activities into impact. She has also led major partnership initiatives at Sheridan College and Conestoga College, managing relationships across academia, industry and government. With a broad network in the innovation ecosystem and a strategic, results-focused approach, she will be a strong asset to TMU's SRC enterprise.
As assistant vice-president, research partnerships and commercialization, Michelle will lead the team that supports TMU's SRC activities through partnerships, institutional programs, industry engagement, commercialization and innovation services. She will oversee and implement strategies that connect researchers with external partners and funders.
The role also focuses on raising TMU's profile in national and international research and innovation communities. Working with Faculties, administrative units, external partners and funding agencies, she will help expand TMU's SRC ecosystem and increase opportunities across disciplines and sectors.
As part of our planned transition, Chris will continue to serve as senior advisor, strategic research initiatives. In this role, he will apply his strengths in partnership development, strategic coordination and external engagement to provide leadership on major research opportunities, help advance cross-institutional initiatives and work with internal and external partners to drive forward projects of high strategic value to TMU's SRC enterprise.
Please join me in welcoming Michelle and in thanking Chris for his ongoing contributions. Their combined expertise will help TMU build stronger SRC partnerships and deliver results that benefit the university and its communities.
Steven N. Liss
Vice-President, Research and Innovation
