DEI Initiative / People / Dr. Mona Nemer
Dr. Mona Nemer
Born in Lebanon, Nemer found her passion for chemistry early in life and at 17 years old, advocated with her classmates to create a science stream at her all-girls school. Today, as a leader in the field of molecular cardiology, contributing to diagnostic tests for heart failure, and genetics of cardiac birth defects, she has served as Canada’s Science Advisor since 2017. Nemer, while authoring over 200 academic publications, and serving on various advisory committees and boards, she has helped to expand and diversify science advice to the government by establishing a diverse network of advisors, founded a Canadian youth council to provide evidence-based input on scientific issues affecting young people, and helping to create I-STEM, a program to inform and advance Indigenous people’s aspirations and innovation in natural science. Nemer has also promoted free, open and responsible use of science in government through creation of a model policy on scientific integrity and a roadmap for open science to guide efforts in ensuring Canadians have access to federal research information.