Dr. Lopez-Correa comes to Genome Canada with more than 20 years of international experience in both the academic and private sectors and a deep understanding of genomics and innovation that has inspired leaders in science and industry to collaborate toward solving some of the world’s greatest challenges.
Most recently, she was Chief Operating Officer at Ruta N Medellin, where she coordinated the operations of a world class innovation hub that uses cutting edge technologies and approaches to address some of the city’s social and economic challenges. Prior to this, Dr. Lopez-Correa was Chief Scientific Officer and Vice-President of Sectors at Genome British Columbia (2016-19) and Chief Science Officer and Vice-President of Scientific Affairs at Génome Québec (2008-15), where she was instrumental in developing competitive teams for national and provincial research and innovation initiatives raising the profile of Canadian genomics on the global stage.
In her new role, Dr. Lopez-Correa will help provide strategic leadership of CanCOGeN over the next two years. “I have no doubt that Catalina’s considerable strengths in building connections combined with her deep knowledge of genomics, the Enterprise and Canada will be an incredible advantage as we advance this initiative,” said Dr. Rob Annan, President and CEO, Genome Canada. “I could not be more pleased to welcome her back to our community.”
Prior to becoming one of Canada’s leading advocates for genomics, and an international leader in using innovation to solve world challenges, she held senior research positions with Eli Lilly pharmaceuticals in the U.S., deCODE genetics lab in Iceland and two biotech companies in the U.K., Genomica and Informax.
As part of her commitment to international development, Dr. Lopez-Correa has championed several initiatives aimed at demonstrating the impact of genomics and innovation in developing countries. She is fully committed to advance equity, diversity and inclusion, with a particular interest in gender equity in science that led her to be a co-founder of the International and Immigrant Women in Science (IWS) Network.
In 2017 she received the Canadian Senate 150th Anniversary Medal and in 2013 she was recognized by National Order of Merit Award in the Rank of Officer, appointed by the Honorable President of the Republic of Colombia. In 2012 she was recognized as one of the 100 Colombians living abroad that have been highly successful on their professional career.
Dr. Lopez-Correa holds a Medical degree from the UPB in Colombia, a Master’s degree in Human Genetics from Paris V University in France, a PhD in Medical Biosciences from the KULeuven in Belgium, a mini MBA from McGill University in Canada and has trained in innovation leadership at Singularity University.
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Media contact
Nicola Katz
Director, Communications
Genome Canada
C: 613-297-0267
nkatz@genomecanada.ca
On August 4 2021, Genome Canada announced the appointment of Dr. Lopez-Correa as Chief Scientific Officer. In her new role on Genome Canada’s senior management team, Dr. Lopez-Correa will lead the delivery of genomics-enabled missions, with responsibility for executive-level scientific expertise and leadership across the organization, as well as connecting with pan-Canadian and international networks of scientific stakeholders.