York University’s Faculty of Science holds annual Advisory Board meeting

Changes to Board composition announced

Dean Rui Wang, Reza Moridi, Dr. Mark Lievonen

The Faculty of Science held the 3rd annual meeting of its Dean’s Special Advisory Board on Thursday, May 30, 2024, to discuss and advise on pressing issues relevant to science education, including industry demand for science programs; equity, diversity, and inclusion; challenges and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship, and the successful community integration of the Faculty.

During the meeting, it was announced that current Board Member, Dr. Mark Lievonen, will take on the role of Chair from Reza Moridi, who has served as Chair since the Board’s inception in February 2021.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Lievonen moving into the role of Chair of our Advisory Board,” says Rui Wang, Dean of the Faculty of Science. “Mark is a passionate supporter of Canadian science, innovation, and economic development, having served as President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited, Co-Chair of Canada’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, and within numerous high profile industry boards and organizations.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Reza Moridi for his service to this Board over the past three years. His insightful and forward-thinking guidance has been deeply valuable to our Faculty.”

The Dean’s Special Advisory Board is comprised of a diverse group of industry and community leaders with expertise in and commitment to the advancement of Canada’s science, technology, academic, and non-profit sectors.

Dr. Lievonen, C.M., led the Canadian vaccine division of Sanoﬁ to become a billion-dollar enterprise in Canada. Currently, he is a member of the Federal Government’s Council of Expert Advisors. He has been honoured to serve many industry organizations. He is a Director of Quest PharmaTech, Sona Nanotech, Biome Grow, the Biologics Manufacturing Centre, VIDO, and the Gairdner Foundation. Previously, he served as a Director of Oncolytics Biotech and Acerus Pharmaceuticals. He is a past Chair of Rx&D (now Innovative Medicines Canada), BIOTECanada, the Ontario Genomics Institute, and the Centre for the Advancement of Health Innovation, Vice-Chair of Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, and Director of the Public Policy Forum.

Dr. Lievonen is a passionate advocate for public health access, education, and giving back to his community. He is a former Chair of the Markham Stouﬀville Foundation and served as an ex-oﬃcio member of the Markham Stouﬀville Hospital Board. He served on the York University Board of Governors and as a Director of the York University Development Corporation. He is also the founder of Sanoﬁ Biogenius Canada, a program that has fostered young scientists for over 20 years. He is a recipient of the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medallions, Lifetime Achievement Awards from Life Sciences Ontario and the Pharmaceutical Sciences Group, the Canada Medal from The Chemical Institute of Canada, a York University Bryden Alumni Award, and an Honourary Doctor of Laws degree from York. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2015, named a Chevalier de l’Ordre National de Merite by the government of France in 2007, and was inducted into the Canadian Healthcare Marketing Hall of Fame in 2013.

Dr. Lievonen holds a BBA in accounting and an MBA in ﬁnance and marketing from York University’s Schulich School of Business. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and was elected as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 2007.