I am pleased to announce that the Senior Appointments & Compensation Committee has approved Dr. Derek Newton’s role as Executive Director, Innovations & Partnerships be revised to Assistant Vice-President, Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship (AVP, IPE), effective December 1, 2015.

Derek will continue to provide strategic direction and leadership in the development, implementation, and monitoring of processes, procedures, and policies in the planning, conduct, and administration of knowledge transfer as well as entrepreneurship and the various avenues for the commercialization of research and in the administration of research agreements including the development of strategic research alliances. In addition, he will foster and support the U of T community in building internal and external partnerships towards increased knowledge translation of commercial and social innovations that will have broad economic impact and public benefits in addition to fostering partnerships that will enhance the culture of disclosure across research disciplines. His team will continue working synergistically with MaRS, MaRS Innovation, and other Centres of Excellence for Commercialization of Research and relevant national and international organizations. In his new role he will also provide administrative oversight of the Banting and Best Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (BBCIE). The BBCIE is a joint initiative of the Offices of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation and Vice-President, University Operations that supports the coordination of entrepreneurship activities for students across our three campuses.