B. Mario Pinto appointed UM’s new Vice-President (Research and International)

The following is a message from President Michael Benarroch:

I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. B. Mario Pinto as the University of Manitoba’s new Vice-President (Research and International).

Dr. Pinto previously served as Director of the Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct, in Queensland, Australia, and as Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at Griffith University, Australia. Dr. Pinto assumed his position at UM on October 1, 2022.

Dr. Pinto received his undergraduate degree and doctorate from Queen’s University in Ontario, before being appointed Chair of Chemistry and Vice-President Research at Simon Fraser University, in British Columbia. Dr. Pinto was later appointed President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, where he championed investment in creative, critical, and adaptive thought, the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) agenda, and youth STEM education as an architect of the National Science Odyssey program.

An accomplished researcher, Dr. Pinto has published more than 250 papers in chemical biology and holds a simple but firm view on research. “A recognition of scholarly impact is what counts and quality publication and innovation remain at the core,” he said. “Researchers must also take some risks and strive for greater influence in their respective spheres of interest.”  

Dr. Pinto holds a Fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada and is renowned as a champion of global connectivity. He has fostered lasting international partnerships with the Bombay Stock Exchange, Indian Oil Corporation, Sri Lanka’s National Science Foundation, and many others. In Canada, Dr. Pinto has also served as Co-chair of the Canada-India Joint Science and Technology Committee, and Chair of the Global Research Council.

Dr. Pinto also brings a breadth of experience in research commercialization, as one of the founding members of the Centre for Drug Research and Development, VentureLabs® and Venture Connection, and as a primary advocate for the inception of the Canada Accelerator Incubator Program (CAIP).

Dr. Pinto will seek to bring diverse voices and research perspectives to the forefront at the University of Manitoba, building on his work as Chair of the 11^th International Gender Summit which focused on the theme of Pluralism, Ethnicity & Inclusion – Canadian Values in a Global Context.  Dr. Pinto remains a strong advocate of collaboration between arts and sciences as a pathway to productive change.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize Dr. Digvir Jayas for his steadfast guidance as Vice-President (Research and International). Dr. Jayas helped to achieve record levels of research income for UM, initiated the Transformational Partnerships program to enhance collaborations with Manitoba industry, and his inspirational approach to engaging youth in science and research through the annual SET Day program has brought a whole new generation of innovative thinkers to the University of Manitoba. 

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Pinto on this new position. Given his demonstrated commitment to diversity and cross-disciplinary research, I am confident he will continue the legacy of exemplary leadership for the Vice-President (Research and International) portfolio.

Michael Benarroch, Ph.D
President and Vice-Chancellor

Research at the UM is funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and other partners including generous donors.