June 7, 2018
Genome Prairie wishes to announce that effective immediately, Dr. Gerald Brown has been appointed the Interim Chairman of the Board. Previously serving as the Vice-Chair for the organization, Dr. Brown has served on the Genome Prairie Board since 2005 and will continue to provide sound leadership and expertise in his new role. Dr. Brown has over 30 years of experience in agricultural biology, agronomy, intellectual property protection, and the development and commercialization of new and innovative products.
Dr. Brown will be taking the place of Dr. David Gauthier, who has chosen to retire early from his tenure as Chairman of the Board. Dr. Gauthier has been an active member of our organization as both staff and Board member since 2005 and has provided substantial experience and vision in areas such as research management, economic development, sector innovation, and government relations. The team at Genome Prairie would like to thank Dr. Gauthier for his contributions to the organization over the years and extends its best wishes on his future endeavors.
“As the Interim Chair, I will continue to uphold Genome Prairie’s dedication and expertise in the development and application of genomic technologies in areas ranging from energy and natural resources to precision medicine generating benefit for all Canadians and the global community,” said Dr. Brown.
Dr. Brown joined the Saskatchewan Research Council in 1998 as the Director of its Business Development Branch and was subsequently Vice-President of its Agriculture & Biotechnology Division. Most recently, Dr. Brown was the Director of Marketing and Commercialization with the Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise, a national Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research focused on the mid-stage development and commercialization of vaccines for infectious diseases.
“Dr. Brown will offer his vast knowledge in the socioeconomic advancement of innovative biosciences during a time of change in our organization,” said Dr. Reno Pontarollo, President and CEO, Genome Prairie. “His wealth of experience will help to guide our organization in advancing genomics discoveries and knowledge to impact the economy of the prairie provinces and Canada.”