Dr. Neil Emery Appointed Vice-President of Research and Innovation at Trent University
President Leo Groarke is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Neil Emery as the new vice-president of Research and Innovation at Trent University. Dr. Emery was appointed to the position after a review process used for all vice-presidential positions at the University.
“In reviewing this appointment, the search committee was impressed by Dr. Emery’s work to make the Office of Research more effective and cohesive, the outstanding research results that have characterized Trent during his term as vice-president Research and International, and the work he has done to ensure that Trent is recognized as a key component of research infrastructure in Ontario and Canada,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University.
As the vice-president Research and Innovation, Dr. Emery is responsible for the management, administration, and leadership of research at Trent University and is instrumental in promoting, formalizing and embedding successful innovation throughout the University. The vice-president also plays a key role promoting Trent research locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally, and acts as a Trent liaison with the provincial government on matters that relate to its interest in research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Speaking of the appointment, Dr. Emery said: “I'm honoured and privileged to move into this revitalized Vice Presidential role, knowing that I will be working with outstanding faculty, staff and administrators. Together we will move to further strengthen liberal arts and science research and develop Trent's innovation experience with students, faculty and the Peterborough community.”
As part of the position's mandates, Dr. Emery’s will play a key leadership role in the development of the new Trent Research and Innovation Park. He will also oversee, working with deans and chairs of departments, the appointment of new senior Trent academics as mentors who will be available to provide guidance and advice to faculty wishing to apply for grants associated with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The announcement of these new positions follows a Board of Governors decision to further enhance support for faculty research at Trent.
"Neil has been a solid leader in steering Trent's research and innovation agenda," said Mr. Bryan Davies, chair of the Trent University Board of Governors following approval of the reappointment by the Board Executive Committee. "He has been pivotal in the University's ability to punch above its weight in research intensity and will provide a steady hand in navigating the various opportunities as the Trent Research and Innovation Park develops."
Prof. Emery is a full professor in the Biology Department at Trent with degrees from Queen’s University (B.Sc.) and the University of Calgary (Ph.D.). He is a plant physiologist who studies the control of growth by plant hormones and applications to crop yield particularly for oats, barley and legumes such as soybean, peas and beans. Prior to coming to Trent, Prof. Emery worked for research institutions in Perth, Australia and Dijon, France. He holds grants from several agencies including NSERC, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ontario Ministry of Research & Innovation and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. These grants involve extensive collaborations both locally and with institutions in Japan, China, Germany, France, Czech Republic and Australia. Much of his research also includes partnerships with the agriculture and food private sector such as the Grain Farmers of Ontario and the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. Prof. Emery has served on the Board of the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster for six years and is an adjudicator for the prestigious NSERC Synergy Awards.
Prof. Emery has been at Trent since 2000, and has served as the director of the Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program from 2006 to 2009, as associate vice-president Research from 2009 to 2011 and as vice-president Research and International from 2011 to 2015.
For more information, please contact:
Marilyn Burns, executive director, Marketing & Communications, Recruitment & Admissions, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 ext. 6184 or mburns@trentu.ca
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