Appointment of Donald Riddle strengthens Genome BC’s management team

Genome British Columbia has enhanced its scientific management structure with the appointment of Dr Donald Riddle, a renowned researcher and research administrator from the Univ of Missouri. Riddle begins a three-year term as Genome BC’s chief scientific officer, with several key responsibilities including the creation of a scientific strategy that leverages the strengths of all the players in the province.

He replaces Genome BC co-founder Dr Roger Foxall, who becomes executive VP.

Riddle spoke with RE$EARCH MONEY shortly after assuming his new position and addressed what he views as the central challenges of Genome BC and Genome Canada in the months and years ahead. He says a key determining factor in his decision to come to Canada after a successful 28-year career at the Univ of Missouri is the unique structure of Genome Canada and its focus on large-scale projects.

“Genome Canada concentrates its resources on large-scale, interdisciplinary projects. It’s a very dramatic shift away from the cottage industry style approach of every professor with a small grant,” says Riddle.

Riddle will parlay his expertise in handling research infrastructure for cell and molecular biology to Genome BC’s research platforms and research projects. That invariably involves dealing with project leaders and coordinating activity among players spread over several institutions.

“As CSO I’m responsible for developing BC’s strengths in genomics in a way that best serves the interests of the province and Canada,” he says. “I’ll be helping projects achieve their stated goals and making sure the research infrastructure is there to allow the researchers to achieve those goals. Platforms are key. I will also be looking to the future and providing input into scientific direction.”

Riddle says he’s impressed with the level of financial commitment shown by both levels of government and contends that the challenge of all the genome centres is to find the best way to allow the provinces to make continued investments for the longer term. He also plans to use his US connections for additional funding and further international collaboration. “The US is a definite resource. It’s a much bigger country and has bigger research budgets.”

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