Science is widely recognized as a vital building block of the knowledge economy, yet many scientists face growing public mistrust and misunderstanding over their work. Join us on November 17 when Hon. Reza Moridi, a scientist by profession and Ontario’s Minister of Research, Innovation and Science, will address the urgent need to promote wider scientific literacy – both inside and out of government. The minister will speak about the central role science is playing in Ontario’s economic future, and the need to raise the profile of science in government decision-making.
Reza Moridi is Ontario’s Minister of Minister of Research, Innovation and Science. First elected to the Ontario legislature in 2007 as MPP for Richmond Hill, he was subsequently re-elected in 2011 and 2014. Moridi has served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy, the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, and the Minister of Research and Innovation.
Prior to entering into politics, Reza held a 17-year career at the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada where he was the Vice-President and Chief Scientist. He also worked in the electrical industry as an executive and in academia as a professor and administrator.
For his contributions to the understanding of nuclear materials, radiation and health physics, Moridi has received the Education and Communication Award from the Canadian Nuclear Society and the U.S. Health Physics Society designated him as a Fellow of the Society. He was elected as a Fellow of the UK Institute of Physics and admitted as a Fellow of the UK Institution of Engineering and Technology. For his extensive community and humanitarian work, Moridi has received numerous awards and recognition.
Educated in Iran and the UK, Moridi obtained a PhD from Brunel University London. He was a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Physicist, and has completed CANDU Reactor, Industrial Management and Reactor Health Physics certificate courses.
In his current role, Moridi’s extensive political, business, academic and scientific backgrounds provide him with the knowledge and experience required to bridge the research and academic institutions with business and government.
