[cid:image002.png@01D85637.04A96530] Message from Dr. Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor

I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. B. Mario Pinto as the University of Manitoba’s next Vice-President (Research and International).

Dr. Pinto is currently serving as Director of the Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct, in Queensland, Australia, having recently served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at Griffith University, Australia. Dr. Pinto will assume his position at UM on October 1, 2022.

A return to Canada, Dr. Pinto received his undergraduate degree and doctorate from Queen’s University in Ontario, before being appointed Chair of Chemistry and Vice-President Research at Simon Fraser University, in British Columbia. Dr. Pinto was later appointed President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, where he championed investment in creative, critical, and adaptive thought, the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) agenda, and youth STEM education as an architect of the National Science Odyssey program.

An accomplished researcher, Dr. Pinto has published more than 250 papers in chemical biology and holds a simple but firm view on research. “A recognition of scholarly impact is what counts and quality publication and innovation remain at the core,” he said. “Researchers must also take some risks and not wander aimlessly down the well-trodden path.” Dr. Pinto holds a Fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada.

Renowned as a champion of global connectivity, Dr. Pinto has fostered lasting international partnerships with the Bombay Stock Exchange, Indian Oil Corporation, Sri Lanka’s National Science Foundation, and many others. In Canada, Dr. Pinto has also served as Co-chair of the Canada-India Joint Science and Technology Committee, and Chair of the Global Research Council.

Dr. Pinto also brings a breadth of experience in research commercialization, as one of the founding members of the Centre for Drug Research and Development, VentureLabs® and Venture Connection, and as a primary advocate for the inception of the Canada Accelerator Incubator Program (CAIP).

Dr. Pinto will seek to bring diverse voices and research perspectives to the forefront at the University of Manitoba, building on his work as Chair of the 11th International Gender Summit which focused on the theme of Pluralism, Ethnicity & Inclusion – Canadian Values in a Global Context. Dr. Pinto remains a strong advocate of collaboration between arts and sciences as a pathway to productive change.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize Dr. Digvir Jayas for his steadfast guidance as Vice-President (Research and International). Dr. Jayas helped to achieve record levels of research income for UM, initiated the Transformational Partnerships program to enhance collaborations with Manitoba industry, and his inspirational approach to engaging youth in science and research through the annual SET Day program has brought a whole new generation of innovative thinkers to the University of Manitoba. Dr. Jayas has agreed to extend his term through September 30, 2022.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Pinto on this new position. Given his demonstrated commitment to diversity and cross-disciplinary research, I am confident he will continue the legacy of exemplary leadership for the Vice-President (Research and International) portfolio.

Sincerely,

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Michael Benarroch, Ph.D. President and Vice-Chancellor 202 Administration Building, University of Manitoba Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2 Canada Telephone: 204-474-9345 Email: president@umanitoba.camailto:president@umanitoba.ca [cid:image001.png@01D85632.E4AD8440]