Life Sciences Expert Advisory Council

Professor of Pediatrics and Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine; Division Head, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, IWK Health Care Centre

Dr. Langley is a pediatric infectious disease physician and vaccine researcher at the Canadian Center for Vaccinology, and a Professor of Pediatrics and Community Health and Epidemiology in the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University. She is an investigator with the CIHR–PHAC-funded Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) and co-leads its Clinical Trials Network. Her research focuses on the prevention of influenza and RSV through vaccination, as well as on evidence-based decision-making processes.

Professor, University of British Columbia

Dr. Marra has been instrumental in bringing genome science to Canada and led the Canadian team that sequenced the genome of SARS-CoV-1, showing that rapid DNA sequencing could provide critically important information in the context of an emerging infectious disease. He led numerous large-scale genomics projects to identify genetic and epigenetic changes that drive cancer, uncovering new cancer mutations, candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets. He is currently focused on the application of genome science to rationally align high risk cancer patients to therapies through his leadership roles in British Columbia's Personalized OnoGenomics (POG) program and the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network. 

A Professor in Medical Genetics and the Michael Smith Laboratories at UBC, a UBC Killam Professor and a Distinguished Scientist at BC Cancer, Dr. Marra is a member of the Order of Canada, The Order of British Columbia and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He is a Canadian Medical Hall of Fame awardee, and has been listed among the World's Most Influential Scientific Minds by Clarivate Analytics.

Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Dr. Penny Ballem is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. She has had a 40-year career as a health leader and academic clinician in British Columbia.

Dr. Ballem recently completed a year of service as Interim President and CEO of Provincial Health Services Authority (2025–2026), following six years as Chair of the Board of Vancouver Coastal Health (2019–2025). In early 2021, she was asked to lead British Columbia's COVID-19 vaccination program, which she oversaw until June 2023. She previously served as British Columbia's Deputy Minister of Health (2001–2006) and as City Manager for the City of Vancouver (2008–2015). She is a recipient of multiple awards, including the Order of British Columbia and an Honorary Doctor of Science from Simon Fraser University. Dr. Ballem advises governments across Canada on health policy, health systems, and health human resources.

Professor emeritus and Distinguished Fellow, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto

Following landmark contributions to cancer research, hematopoiesis, and virology, Dr. Bernstein became the founding President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, where he led a transformation of health research in Canada. He subsequently served as the founding Executive Director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise and later led CIFAR for a decade. Most recently, he was a Visiting Professor and the inaugural Director of Global Health at the University of Oxford.

Dr. Bernstein has served on numerous advisory councils in Canada and internationally, including Canada's Vaccine Task Force and the Scientific Advisory Council of the Gates Foundation. He has received many honours and awards for his contributions to science and science policy, including his induction as a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Associate Professor and Clinician Scientist, University of Toronto, Schulich Heart Program and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Dr. Brian Courtney is an interventional cardiologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a Clinician-Scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute, and an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. He initially trained in computer (B.Eng) and electrical engineering (MSEE) before entering medicine.

Dr. Courtney is an inventor on over 100 patents and is the co-director of the Medventions Program, which teaches medical technology entrepreneurship. He has co-founded three medical technology companies, including Conavi Medical Inc. His research interests include minimally invasive medical devices, imaging, artificial intelligence, and cardiovascular pathology. He has extensive interest and experience in advancing the development, commercialization, and clinical use of innovative medical technologies in Canada and internationally.

Founder and CEO, Ameekha Solutions Inc.

Karimah Es Sabar is a highly recognized Canadian life sciences leader with global experience across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and venture capital sectors. She has built and led high-impact organizations worldwide, serves on national and international boards and strategic advisory bodies, and plays a significant role in shaping innovation policy, health research translation, and economic development in the life sciences sector. Over the course of her career, she has raised over $1.5 billion for private and public global biosciences enterprises, co-founded three companies, and enabled venture capital investment in 32 health technology companies worldwide. She is the incoming Chair of St. Paul's Foundation and has served as Chair of the Government of Canada's Health Biosciences Economic Strategy Table, as well as Chair of the Strategic Review Committee.

Karimah holds an Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership from the MIT Sloan School of Management, an MSc in Neurochemistry from the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, and a BSc (Joint Honours) in Biochemistry and Chemistry from the University of Salford. She is a Member of the Order of British Columbia and a recipient of several awards, including Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award.

General Partner at Linearis Ventures

After 20 years of experience in IT across hospitals, space agencies, and city-wide storage infrastructure, Alexandre Le Bouthillier has applied his expertise in large-scale systems to address inefficiencies in healthcare. He now works with world-renowned AI experts and physicians to improve the speed and accuracy of care, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

He serves as a board member of Mila (honorary since 2023), IVADO, MEDTEQ+, envisAGE, Health Innovation District, and Montréal InVivo. He holds a Ph.D. in Parallel Computing and Optimization from the Université de Montréal and is co-founder and founding partner at Linearis, an AI health fund focused on fostering a collaborative, accessible, equitable, and sustainable end-to-end health continuum.

Associate Professor in Science & International Security, King’s College, London

Dr. Filippa Lentzos is an Associate Professor in Science and International Security at King's College London. A biologist and social scientist by training, her research critically examines biological threats, health security, biorisk management, and biological arms control.

Dr. Lentzos chairs the World Health Organization Technical Advisory Group on the responsible use of the life sciences and dual-use research (WHO RULS DUR). She is also a rostered expert for the United Nations Secretary-General's Mechanism (UNSGM) and serves as the NGO Coordinator for the Biological Weapons Convention.

Principal, JML Advisory Services

Mark Lievonen is the former President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited. He was a Co-Chair of Canada's COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force and a member of the Council of Expert Advisors. Currently, Mark serves on the Boards of Sona Nanotech Inc., Quest PharmaTech Inc., and Biome Grow Inc. He is a Member of the Order of Canada, a Chevalier de l'Ordre National de Merite of France, and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.

Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University

Dr. Dennis C. Liotta is the Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor in the Department of Chemistry, as well as a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology at Emory University. His research focuses on the discovery and development of novel antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory agents.

He has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications and is listed as an inventor on more than 130 U.S. patents. Dr. Liotta has contributed to 18 life-saving, FDA-approved therapies and is recognized for creating numerous new drug candidates now in clinical trials for the treatment of cancers and neurological disorders.

Technology Executive and Life Sciences Leader

Managing Director and Senior Vice-President, Lumira Ventures

With over 30 years of investment, operational, managerial, and research experience in the healthcare industry, Dr. Rovinski has helped build life sciences companies at all stages of development. He has held several senior management positions in the biotechnology sector, including 13 years at Sanofi Pasteur (formerly Aventis Pasteur), where he led global research and development programs in HIV/AIDS and therapeutic cancer vaccines, advancing several to the clinical stage. He has published numerous scientific articles and reviews and is the recipient of over 30 patents. He earned a PhD in biochemistry from McGill University and completed postdoctoral studies in molecular oncology and retrovirology at the Ontario Cancer Institute.

Dr. Rovinski joined Lumira Ventures in 2001. His current and past board roles include several private and public biotechnology companies, as well as not-for-profit organizations. He also served as a member of the Government of Canada's COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force.

General Partner at North South Ventures

Ilse Treurnicht has a career spanning science, health and cleantech firms, innovation ecosystems, venture capital, and public policy. She is an impact investor, former chair of the Public Policy Forum, and a director of the Equality Fund. She served as CEO of the MaRS Discovery District and is an advisor to technology businesses, governments, and international organizations. Ilse holds a doctorate in chemistry from University of Oxford, which she attended as a Rhodes Scholar.