Appointment of Professor Alex Mihailidis as Associate Vice-President, International Partnerships (PDAD&C #83)

From: Vivek Goel, Vice-President, Research & Innovation
Edward Sargent, Vice-President, International
Date: May 9, 2019
Re: Appointment of Professor Alex Mihailidis as Associate Vice-President, International Partnerships (PDAD&C #83)


We are delighted to announce that the Executive Committee of the Governing Council has approved the appointment of Professor Alex Mihailidis for a five-year term as Associate Vice-President, International Partnerships (AVP, IP), beginning September 1, 2019.

The role reports dually to the Vice-President, Research & Innovation and the Vice-President, International and reflects the ongoing importance accorded by the University to the goal of internationalization. As Associate Vice-President, International Partnerships, Professor Mihailidis will be supporting the international engagement of divisions across all three campuses by leading in the development of alliances with academic and industry partners across the globe.

This appointment builds on Professor Mihailidis’ collaborative and innovative leadership skills as well as his significant administrative experience and a true passion for international academic and industry partnerships. Professor Mihailidis is currently the Barbara G. Stymiest Research Chair in Rehabilitation Technology at the University of Toronto and Toronto Rehab Institute. A Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and in the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME), with a cross appointment in the Department of Computer Science, he is also the Scientific Director of the AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence, which focuses on the development of new technologies and services for older adults.  

Professor Mihailidis has been conducting research in the field of pervasive computing and intelligent systems in health for the past 15 years, having published over 150 journal papers, conference papers, and abstracts in this field. He has specifically focused on the development of intelligent home systems for elder care and wellness, technology for children with autism, and adaptive tools for nurses and clinical applications. He currently holds several major research grants from internationally recognized funding agencies to support this work (including the Canadian and American Alzheimer Associations, NSERC, and CIHR). His research has been completed through collaborations with other researchers in this field from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and with various industrial partners.  

Professor Mihailidis received both his B.A.Sc. in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and his M.A.Sc. in Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto, and his PhD in Rehabilitation Engineering in the Bioengineering Unit of the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.  Joining the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University as an Assistant Professor in 2003, and as a Scientist at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute he also took up cross-appointments in IBBME and the Department of Computer Science.  In 2011 he was promoted to Senior Scientist at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and he was promoted to Full Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and IBBME in 2017.

The current AVP, IP, Professor Christopher Yip will step down from his role on July 1, 2019 to become Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

Please join us in welcoming Professor Mihailidis to this role.