Former UBC president David Strangway has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
"Dr. Strangway brings to the position an impressive track record in scientific research and as president of a leading research university," said foundation chair John Evans on announcing the appointment.
A geophysicist, Strangway worked for the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) prior to becoming vice-president at the University of Toronto and president of UBC.
Strangway succeeds the CFI's founding president, the late Prof. Keith Brimacombe of UBC's Dept. of Metals and Materials Engineering.
Established in 1997 with funds from the federal government, the CFI's mandate is to invest in infrastructure for research and development in Canadian post-secondary education institutions and research hospitals.
Its initial capital fund of $800 million will be committed to projects over the next five years, matched by investments from governments and the private sector.
UBC President Martha Piper is one of the six founding members of the CFI.
Strangway's appointment is effective June 1.