Chief Global Strategy Officer
With more than 20 years of international experience in both the academic and private sectors, Catalina Lopez-Correa’s deep understanding of genomics and innovation has inspired leaders in science and industry to collaborate toward solving some of the world’s greatest challenges.
Since June 2020, she has served as Chief Global Strategy Officer at Genome Canada, following her tenure as the organization’s Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Director of the Canadian COVID-19 Genomics Network (CanCOGeN).
Dr. Lopez-Correa holds a Medical degree from the UPB in Colombia, a Master’s in Human Genetics from Paris V University in France, and a PhD in Medical Biosciences from KULeuven in Belgium. She also earned a mini-MBA from McGill University in Canada and completed innovation leadership training at Singularity University.
Earlier in her career, she was Chief Operating Officer at Ruta N Medellin, where she led operations at a world-class innovation hub leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address the city’s most pressing social and economic challenges. In this role, she supported SMEs, universities, and government initiatives focused on placing innovation at the heart of development. Prior to her work in Medellin, Dr. Lopez-Correa served as Chief Scientific Officer and Vice-President of Sectors at Genome British Columbia (2016–2019) and as CSO and Vice-President of Scientific Affairs at Genome Quebec (2008–2015). In both roles, she played a pivotal part in building competitive research teams and positioning Canadian genomics on the global stage.
Her foundation in genomics leadership was built through senior research positions with Eli Lilly in the US, the renowned deCODE genetics lab in Iceland, and two UK-based biotech companies, Genomica and Informax. These roles cemented her reputation as a leader in applying genomic science to real-world challenges.
Driven by a strong commitment to international development, Dr. Lopez-Correa has led numerous initiatives highlighting the transformative power of genomics and innovation in developing countries. She is also a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a focus on gender equity in science, an interest that led her to co-found the IWS Network (International and Immigrant Women in Science).
Dr. Lopez-Correa’s work has been recognized with several awards. In 2017 she received the Canadian Senate 150th Anniversary Medal. In 2013 she was recognized by National Order of Merit Award in the Rank of Officer, appointed by the Honorable President of the Republic of Colombia. In 2012 she was recognized as one of the 100 Colombians living abroad that have been highly successful in their professional career.