Taking up the interdisciplinary challenge

Geneviève L. Picard

After obtaining her doctorate in chemistry at McGill University and working in the area of biotechnology and medicine, Mona Nemer realized that in order to develop innovative approaches to medicinal chemistry, it would be necessary to gain insights in molecular-endocrinic biology, so she immediately began to tackle the field in her postdoctoral research. This multidisciplinary training has deeply shaped the vision of the new vice-president of research at the University of Ottawa.

Facilitating research

One easily senses enthusiasm in the researcher’s voice, particularly when she talks about her new responsibilities. “It's a great honor to walk in the footsteps of Howard Alper, a real visionary and renowned scientist,” says Nemer.  She views her new role as that of a facilitator of research: “To help researchers at all levels—students to professors—in their various responsibilities and work, we must create an atmosphere that embraces research, improves research infrastructures and ensures the necessary funds are available.”

For Nemer, “research and education are inseparable,” and she firmly believes that good researchers are a source of inspiration for students.

While her responsibilities as vice-president will keep her quite busy, she is determined to pursue her research in genetics and cardiology. “It's very important for the vice-president of research to be actively engaged in research in order to understand well the daily frustrations,” she says.

She cites the two associate vice-presidents of research, Adele Reinhartz and Nicolas Georganas—both renowned researchers and fellows of the Royal Society of Canada—as two outstanding examples underlining her point. “I find it tremendous that the senior administrators of the University are researchers at heart. At the University of Ottawa, facilitating research is a real priority."

Vision 2010 and research

“The University has a strategic plan,Vision 2010," says Nemer, "where some very ambitious goals are put forward: we want to be one of the top five universities in Canada. I sincerely believe that we have what it takes to achieve that goal.” Among the many strengths of the University, Nemer believes that in the unfolding age of globalization, its bilingualism, location in the nation’s capital, and possession of internationally recognized researchers will serve it particularly well. “We want to be like the Montreal Canadiens in their heyday and have first choice of the best professors and researchers, who will in turn attract the best students!"

Nemer recognizes that there are a few challenges on the horizon—like the issue of interdisciplinarity, for example. While its importance is generally recognized, she notes that neither professor evaluations nor the grant system reflect an interdisciplinary approach.

She would also like to place a greater emphasis on international experience, whether it is by integrating an element of mobility into education or by supporting internships abroad, to name a few approaches.

Last but not least, Nemer has every intention of encouraging a stronger female presence among faculty, especially in science and engineering. “It’s not a matter of equality between the sexes—in the interest of our collective prosperity, we simply cannot afford to neglect 50 per cent of our population in a crucial sector. This is a challenge for our society.”

Over the course of her career, Mona Nemer has received many distinctions, including the Léo-Pariseau Prize from ACFAS in 2003 and the Jeanne Manery Fisher Award in 2002. She holds a Canada Research Chair in Cardiovascular Cell Differentiation and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.