Genome Canada welcomes Dr. Naveed Aziz as Vice-President, Research and Innovation, effective January 18, 2024.
In his new role, Dr. Aziz will drive genomic innovation for Canada by supporting leadership in the delivery of mission-driven challenges and strategic initiatives. He comes to us with over 20 years of genomics experience and expertise from both the academic and private sectors. He brings with him a keen interest in how genomics provides solutions to pressing global challenges, and a passion for the development of solutions to big data generation/storage/deposition in open science databases, thereby enabling national and international high-speed data exchange.
“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Naveed Aziz to Genome Canada. His expertise in leading research and driving innovation in genomics is unmatched and he is an incredibly valuable addition to our executive team. His passion for creating solutions to pressing global challenges in health and related sectors will energize our work and exponentially grow our impacts. Glad to have you aboard, Naveed!”
– Rob Annan, President and CEO, Genome Canada
Most recently, Dr. Aziz was Chief Executive Officer of CGEn (2021-2023), Canada’s national platform for genome sequencing and analysis. Prior to his role as CEO, Dr. Aziz was CGEN’s Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Scientific Officer (2017-2021). During his time at CGEn, his work contributed to fueling Canadian research and innovation through the advancement of myriad technological developments in genomics.
Dr. Aziz is well known to Genome Canada:
- While at CGEn, Dr. Aziz was a driving force in the Genome Canada-funded Canadian COVID-19 Genomics Network (CanCOGeN) HostSeq initiative that sequenced the genomes of 11,300 Canadians affected by COVID-19 (“the hosts”) to help understand the effect of the virus on various populations and to inform public health decisions.
- He served as Director of Technology Programs at Genome Canada from 2011 to 2017, when he focused on creating opportunities to promote innovation and develop new capacities in genomics, big data and related sciences, including leading the inception, design, and launch of Canada’s Genomics Innovation Network. This Network now comprises our 10 Technology Platforms.
As an active member of several international scientific advisory committees, Dr. Aziz is well situated to provide leadership for the advancement of our forward-looking science and innovation agenda. His global perspectives enable him to stay current with new omics research/applications and with broader life sciences developments that situate Genome Canada as an expert and influencer both nationally and internationally.
“It is an absolute pleasure to be rejoining the Genome Canada team! I am eager to embrace the challenge-driven approach the organization takes to investing in national genomics research and innovation. I look forward to supporting and inspiring a rockstar program delivery team already in place in delivering genomics-based solutions for positive impacts across the country.”
-Naveed Aziz, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Genome Canada