KAMLOOPS – Thompson Rivers University will confer an honorary Doctor of Letters degree upon eminent Canadian research figure Dr. Suzanne Fortier this June
Dr. Fortier, who assumed the presidency of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) in 2006, has had a long and successful career as a scientist and administrator.
Throughout her academic career, Dr. Fortier authored or contributed to more than 60 scientific papers and was among the pioneers helping to shape the new scientific discipline, bioinformatics.
“Dr. Fortier symbolizes the importance of scholarship and research to Canadians and to our university,” said TRU president Roger Barnsley.
Dr. Fortier’s life is also testament to the power of learning.
Born in St-Timothée, Québec, in 1949, Fortier was the first person in her family to attend university. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972 and a PhD in crystallography in 1976 from McGill University.
Immediately upon graduation with her doctoral degree, Dr. Fortier held several research positions over a six-year period before joining Queen’s University in 1982, and became a full professor in both the departments of Chemistry and Computing.
Dr. Fortier remained at Queen’s University until 2005, holding the posts of Associate Dean, School of Graduate Studies and Research (1991-1994), Dean of Graduate Studies and Research (1994-95), Vice-Principal, Research (1995-2000), and Vice-Principal, Academic (2000-2005).
She received the Distinguished Service Award from Queen’s University Council in 2005 for exceptional contributions to research and academics and her devotion to Queen’s University.
Dr. Fortier has also held many external administrative and collegial posts. She was a member of the Council of Science and Technology Advisors (CSTA) from 1998 to 2005 and served on the boards of the Royal Military College of Canada, the Ontario Centres of Excellence, Inc. and NSERC, where she was a council member from 1996 to 2005 and Vice-President from 1997 to 2002. She is currently a member of the Ontario Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress.
In keeping with her philosophy that “Scientific research is helping to improve Canada’s economy and quality of life,” in January 2006, Dr. Fortier assumed the presidency of NSERC, where she continues to promote research and development in universities and the private sector, also assuming the role of chair of the Networks of Centres of Excellence Steering Committee.
Dr. Fortier’s degree will be conferred at the university’s Science and Nursing Convocation Ceremony to be held at its Kamloops, BC, campus at 10 am June 9.
For more information, please contact Suzanne Fortier at 613-995-5840
