About the Ocean Frontier Institute
The Ocean Frontier Institute was established in September 2016 through a partnership led by Dalhousie University, Memorial University, and the University of Prince Edward Island, with support provided by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.  

Overview

The Ocean Frontier Institute was established in September 2016 thanks to an investment of $227 million from the Government of Canada and various private and public-sector organizations. OFI is led by Dalhousie University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and the University of Prince Edward Island, and includes partners in North America and Europe.

OFI operations are shared between Dalhousie University and Memorial University of Newfoundland. OFI reports to the Vice-President Research & Innovation at Dalhousie, and the Vice-President Research at Memorial.

Organizational structure

OFI Governance - Operations Reporting StructureOFI Governance - Operations Reporting Structure

Committee governance

OFI committees ensure the decisions made — and resources used — are aligned with public interest and that OFI funding which is contributed by government, industry, and institutional partners, is prudently used to establish a world-leading, and collaborative, research institution.

OFI Governance - Committee Governance Structure

Executive Council

This group stewards OFI on behalf of Dalhousie University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and the University of Prince Edward Island. Members of the Executive Council provide institutional oversight, financial accountability, and direction to the scientific and management affairs of OFI.

Executive Council members

  • Alice Aiken (Chair)
    Vice President of Research & Innovation, Dalhousie University
  • Tana Allen
    Memorial University, Acting Vice-President (Research)
  • Travis Fridgen
    Memorial University, Acting Dean of Science
  • Gitta Kulczycki
    Dalhousie University, Vice President, Finance & Administration
  • Chuck Macdonald
    Dalhousie University, Dean, Faculty of Science
  • John Newhook
    Dalhousie University, Dean of Engineering
  • Paul Brett
    Memorial University, Acting Vice-President, Marine Institute
  • Paul Snelgrove
    OFI Associate Scientific Director, Memorial University
  • Ivan Soto
    Representative from Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat
  • Kim Thomson
    OFI Chief Administrative Officer
  • Anya Waite
    OFI CEO & Scientific Director, Dalhousie University Associate Vice-President Research (Ocean)

Management Committee

This team ensures OFI, and the projects and programs it undertakes, are managed in accordance with Canada First Research Excellence Fund guidelines.

Management Committee members

  • Jonathan Fisher
    Research Scientist, Marine Institute at Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Jaclyn Pitman
    OFI Manager of Operations
  • Marlies Rise
    Dalhousie Assistant Vice-President, Office of Research Services
  • Paul Snelgrove
    OFI Associate Scientific Director, Memorial University
  • Maria Steele
    UPEI Manager, Research Services
  • Kim Thomson
    OFI Chief Administrative Officer
  • Anya Waite
    OFI CEO & Scientific Director, Dalhousie University Associate Vice-President Research (Ocean)

Scientific Committee

This committee provides general oversight to the planning and coordination of research projects, including the allocation of research funding.

Scientific Committee members

  • Anya Waite (Chair)
    OFI CEO & Scientific Director, Dalhousie University Associate Vice-President Research (Ocean)
  • Paul Snelgrove (Co-Chair)
    OFI Associate Scientific Director, Memorial University
  • Ratana Chuenpagdee
    Social Science,  Memorial University
  • Stefanie Colombo
    Applied Science, Dalhousie
  • Mark Fast
    Natural Science, University of Prince Edward Island
  • Ian Fleming
    Natural Science,  Memorial University
  • Kelly Hawboldt
    Engineering,  Memorial University
  • Ali Nasiri
    Engineering, Dalhousie
  • Daniel Ruzzante
    Natural Science, Dalhousie
  • Ian Stewart
    University of King's College
  • Brad de Young
    Natural Science,  Memorial University
  • Melanie Zurba
    Social Science, Dalhousie

Advisory Committee on Indigenous Engagement in Ocean Research

This committee guides OFI’s engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations to help ensure strong linkages and meaningful engagement between Indigenous communities and organizations and other ocean organizations in Atlantic Canada, while recognizing global aspects and impact on OFI’s international collaborations and partnerships. The Committee will work with OFI staff and the research community to help ensure the active incorporation of Indigenous interests and protection of Aboriginal and Treaty rights into coastal and ocean research to foster meaningful collaboration with Indigenous communities.

Advisory Committee on Indigenous Engagement in Ocean Research members

  • Shelley Denny
    Director of Aquatic Research and Stewardship, Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources
  • Angeline (Angie) Gillis
    Associate Executive Director, Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq
  • Cathy Martin
    Director of Indigenous Community Engagement, Dalhousie
  • Corey Morris
    Appointee, DFO, Canada
  • Melissa Nevin
    Appointee, Atlantic Policy Congress of the First Nations Chiefs Secretariat
  • Eric Oliver
    Indigenous OFI Researcher
  • Ken Paul
    Lead Fisheries Negotiator & Research Coordinator for the Wolastoqey Nation of New Brunswick
  • Paul Snelgrove
    OFI Associate Scientific Director
  • Alanna Syliboy
    Mi’kmaw Knowledge and Community Engagement Manager, Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq
  • Anya Waite
    OFI CEO & Scientific Director, Dalhousie University Associate Vice-President Research (Ocean)

Excellence, Impact, and Engagement Committee

The Excellence, Impact, and Engagement Committee (EIEC) provides guidance on OFI’s research focus, reviews annual progress reports and funding allocation, project development, and strategic direction. The EIEC also ensures mechanisms are in place to exceed expectations for mid-term funding renewal.

Excellence, Impact, and Engagement Committee members

  • John Risley (Chair)
    Chair and Chief Executive Officer, CFFI Ventures
  • Peter de Menocal
    President and Director, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
  • Marc D'Iorio
    Assistant Deputy Minister, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Heide Hackmann
    Interim Director, Future Africa and Strategic Advisor on Transdisciplinarity and Global Knowledge Networks at the University of Pretoria
  • Ed Hill
    Chief Executive, National Oceanography Centre
  • Mark Jollymore
    President, Innovasea Systems, Inc.
  • Katja Matthes
    Professor, Atmospheric Physics, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and Christian-Albrechts Universität zu Kiel
  • Arran McPherson
    Assistant Deputy Minister, Ecosystems and Oceans Science, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • David Paterson
    Executive Director, Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland
  • Jake Rice
    Chief Scientist Emeritus, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Alanna Syliboy
    Community, Education and Engagement Manager, Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, Department of Aquatic Resources and Fisheries Management
  • Anya Waite
    OFI CEO & Scientific Director, Dalhousie University Associate Vice-President Research (Ocean)
  • Paul Snelgrove
    OFI Associate Scientific Director
  • Kim Thomson
    OFI Chief Administrative Officer
  • Eric Siegel
    OFI Chief Innovation Officer

Innovation and Commercialization Committee

This committee is responsible for advising on progress towards meeting annual, mid-term, and seven-year targets set for innovation and commercialization, and for promoting, developing, and facilitating commercialization arising from OFI’s proposed innovation deliverables.

Innovation and Commercialization Committee members

  • Carey Bonnell
    Vice President of Sustainability, Ocean Choice
  • Amy Brookman
    Director of Product Management, Vemco
  • Stephen Hartlen
    Assistant Vice President (Industry Relations), Office of Commercialization and Industry Engagement
  • Susan Hunt
    Chief Technology Officer, Ocean Supercluster
  • Jennifer LaPlante
    Executive Director, DeepSense
  • Paula Mendonca
    Technology Transfer & Commercialization Office, Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Justin Moores
    Director, Commercialization, Industry &Innovation, Research Services, University of Prince Edward Island
  • Melanie Nadeau
    Chief Executive Officer, COVE
  • Vincent Sieben
    Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Dalhousie University
  • Eric Siegel
    Executive in Residence, Oceans CDL, Atlantic
  • Paul Snelgrove
    OFI Associate Scientific Director
  • Andrew Swanson
    Vice President Research & Development, Cooke Aquaculture
  • Kim Thomson
    OFI Chief Administrative Officer
  • Anya Waite
    OFI CEO & Scientific Director, Dalhousie University Associate Vice-President Research (Ocean)

Data Management Committee

The OFI Data Management Committee acts in an advisory role to the OFI Scientific Directorate. The Committee reports to the OFI Management Committee and is responsible for developing, overseeing, and supporting researchers in the implementation of data management policy and guidelines that direct and inform all OFI researchers in the management of all data collected through OFI sponsored research.

Data Management Committee members

  • Mike Smit (Chair)
    Assoc. Professor, School of Information Management, Dalhousie University
  • Tony Charles
    Professor, Saint Mary’s University
  • Fraser Davidson
    Research Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Richard Davis
    RIU Manager, Ocean Frontier Institute
  • Alison Farrell
    Public Services and Research Data Management Librarian, Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Shayla Fitzsimmons
    Executive Director, Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System-Atlantic
  • Ines Hessler
    Chief Technology Officer, ACENET
  • Jennifer LaPlante
    Executive Director, DeepSense
  • Erin MacPherson
    Research Data Management Librarian, Dalhousie University
  • Kim Mears
    Health Sciences and Scholarly Communications Librarian, University of Prince Edward Island
  • Jon Pye
    Assistant Director of Data Management, Ocean Tracking Network