Mona Nemer, Ph.D., C.M., C.Q., FRSC
Mona Nemer was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in recognition of her inter
national academic leadership in cardiovascular sciences and her work as a champion for Canadian science research.
Nemer is the Chief Science Advisor to Canada’s Prime Minister, Minister of Industry and Cabinet. Her mandate is to provide advice on issues related to science and government policies that support it. This includes advising on ways to ensure that science is considered in policy decisions and that government science is fully available to the public.
Before becoming the Chief Science Advisor, Nemer was Professor and Vice-President of Research at the University of Ottawa and Director of the Molecular Genetics and Cardiac Regeneration Laboratory. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from McGill University and did post-doctoral training in molecular biology at the Institut de Recherche Clinique de Montréal and Columbia University.
Nemer is a leader in the area of molecular cardiology; she has discovered several genes essential for normal heart development and function. Her work has contributed to the development of diagnostic tests for heart failure and the genetics of cardiac birth defects. She has published more than 200 highly cited scientific articles and trained over 100 students from around the world.
Nemer is a Member of the Order of Canada, a fellow of the Academy of Sciences of the Royal Society of Canada, a fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Science, a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec, a Knight of the French Republic’s National Order of Merit and a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour. She has been awarded honorary doctorates from universities in France, Finland, Lebanon and Canada.