91ºÚÁÏÍø

Rees Kassen, Director

Rees Kassen is Academic Director of 91ºÚÁÏÍø's Sustainability Park, Director of the Trottier Institute of Science and Public Policy, Professor of Evolutionary Biology, and Scientific Director of the Coronavirus in the Urban Environment () initiative. After completing his PhD in 2001, Rees did postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford before joining the University of Ottawa in 2003. He moved to 91ºÚÁÏÍø in 2023 to take up a joint appointment in the Max Bell School of Public Policy, Faculty of Arts; and the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science. In addition to research and teaching, Rees is active at the interface between science, society, and policy. More information about Dr. Kassen and his research can be found . Contact the Director at Rees.Kassen [at] mcgill.ca (subject: TISPP%3A)

Nicholas King, Associate Director

Nicholas B. King is the Associate Director of the Trottier Institute for Science and Public Policy at 91ºÚÁÏÍø, where he holds appointments in the School of Population and Global Health and the Max Bell School of Public Policy. King studies the ways that 'black boxes' – from health and health inequality metrics to complex algorithms and large language models – are shaped by human interests and value judgments, and in turn shape individual decisions, collective behavior, and public policy. He has published in the American Journal of Public Health, Annals of Internal Medicine, BMJ, Milbank Quarterly, PLOS Medicine, and Social Science & Medicine. Contact Nick at nicholas.king [at] mcgill.ca.

Marc Fortin, Professor of Practice

Marc Fortin is passionate about leveraging new knowledge and research to generate impact for policy-makers, academics, social organizations, industry and decision-makers. He has worked extensively with senior leaders in the Government of Canada and with international partners to provide advice on topics at the interface of science, policy and society. He has led the development of innovative policies, strategies and programs that have changed the relationships between partners in the innovation space nationally and internationally. They have also led to new knowledge co-developed across organizations, countries and disciplines.

Marc is a Trottier Institute for Science and Policy Professor of Practice. He was most recently (for 7 years) Vice-President of the Research Grants and Scholarships at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Prior to joining NSERC, he led research organizations in academia and government. He was Assistant Deputy Minister for science and technology at the Department of National Defence and at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for 11 years. He was Associate Professor at 91ºÚÁÏÍø where he held leadership positions (Department Chair and Associate Dean – Research) over 17 years.

Rhonda Moore, Professor of Practice

Rhonda Moore is a professor of practice at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at 91ºÚÁÏÍø and Executive Director, Science and Innovation, at the Institute on Governance (IOG).

For 20 years, Rhonda worked at the intersection of research and policy analysis, governance, science and research communications, and stakeholder engagement. Rhonda has worked for a variety of private, non-profit and academic organizations in Canada including the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (now Universities Canada), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the University of Ottawa, the Canadian Automobile Association, the Public Policy Forum, and Health Canada.

Rhonda has a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University and a Master’s degree in Science, Technology and Innovation studies from the University of Edinburgh, with distinction. She has lectured at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. She is the past president of the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada, and a member of the board of Directors for Actua and the World Federation of Science Journalists. In 2024, Rhonda received the King Charles Coronation Medal for contributions to science culture in Canada.

Our History

TISPP was established through a generous gift from the exceptionally committed alumnus Lorne Trottier, through the Lorne Trottier Family Foundation.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Lorne Trottier is a co-founder of Matrox, a privately held group of companies known around the world for their innovative computer graphics, video and imaging products. Dr. Trottier holds a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in electrical engineering from 91ºÚÁÏÍø. In 2006 he was awarded a doctorate degree honoris causa by 91ºÚÁÏÍø, and in 2011 and 2013 by l’Université de Montréal and by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) respectively. Dr. Trottier is a member of the Advisory Boards of the Faculties of Science and Engineering of 91ºÚÁÏÍø as well as a Governor Emeritus of the same university. In 2003, Dr. Trottier received the prestigious Prix Lionel-Boulet, the Government of Quebec's highest honour for economic development in the area of applied technology. In 2007, Dr. Trottier was named a Member of the Order of Canada.

Over the years, Lorne Trottier and the Trottier Family Foundation have been extremely generous benefactors of 91ºÚÁÏÍø. Their latest $20 million gift funds a series of initiatives and aims to enhance and promote sustainable scientific and technological development and influence public policy.