The Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI), led by Dalhousie University, is pleased to announce that Dr. Anya Waite has been reappointed to a five-year term as chief executive officer (CEO) and scientific director.
As CEO since 2020 and scientific director since 2018, Dr. Waite has helped to transform OFI as a global leader in ocean research and innovation.
“Dr. Waite brings more than 30 years of experience in ocean science and research, and I am thrilled that she will continue in this important role,” says Dr. Alice Aiken, vice-president of research and innovation for Dalhousie.
“Under her leadership, OFI has grown exponentially by building strong global partnerships, as well as collaborations, with institutions in Canada and abroad.”
The CEO and scientific director is responsible for providing leadership and direction in all aspects of the Institute’s activities.
“It’s been an honour to work alongside such a dynamic community of researchers, students, staff and other partners,” says Dr. Waite.
“In our time together, we’ve created a space where research and scholarly excellence can thrive, where people feel welcome and have the tools to succeed.”
Dr. Waite oversees several major initiatives at OFI, including the Safe and Sustainable Development of the Ocean Frontier, a $126 million research and training program funded in part by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). The program involves three institutional partners and more than 45 partners and collaborators across government, industry, philanthropy, and research.
She also led the development of Dalhousie’s successful proposal for a second CFREF program, Transforming Climate Action – a $397 million research program involving four institutional partners and more than 30 global partnership network organizations.
Additionally, Dr. Waite was responsible for integrating Ocean School, launching the Ocean Graduate Excellence Network, and attracting funding for the Nippon Foundation-Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean Centre of Excellence in Observational Oceanography.
An active ambassador on the global stage, Dr. Waite serves as co-chair of the Global Ocean Observing System and as the Canadian representative on the World Meteorological Organization’s Global Greenhouse Gas Watch working group. She has led delegations to COP26, COP27 and COP28, and also serves on a wide range of technical, scientific and policy advisory panels in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Canada.
“I'm incredibly proud of what we have accomplished at OFI so far and am energized about what we can achieve together over the next five years,”
says Dr. Waite.
