February 21, 2013
Vancouver, BC – Genome BC is proud to welcome its newest staff member, Dr. Rachael Ritchie. With her international experience and broad range of skills, Rachael has joined Genome BC as Director of Business Development. She brings a new twist to the business portfolio with her keen interest and passion for eco-innovation and sustainable living.
A graduate of the University of British Columbia (BSc in biochemistry) who went on to do her PhD in Clinical Medicine at Oxford University, Rachael rounded out her education with a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard University at the Boston Children’s Hospital. Her drive and determination helped Rachael leverage her next role as a molecular geneticist into department head with the Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Research and Productivity Council (RPC) in New Brunswick. In this role Rachael tackled numerous sector-based challenges with applied genomics and technology.
From her work with RPC Rachael moved onward – and across the ocean – to project manage the International Chair in Eco-Innovation at the UniverSud Paris / Université de Versailles in France. Following this she was brought on board by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as a policy analyst in the Science Technology Policy Department. It was at the OECD that Rachael’s path intersected with Genome BC as she spearheaded the OECD Global Forum on Biotechnology: Marine Biotechnology Enabling Solutions for Ocean Productivity and Sustainability, held in Vancouver last May.
Along with her husband and 13 year-old daughter, Rachael has returned to Vancouver to be closer to extended family. Fortunately for Genome BC she also brings a passion for working with committed individuals, companies and organizations seeking to make a genuine difference.
Rachael’s vision for Genome BC’s sector development is to help design and inform the development of effective new programs that can identify, foster and facilitate new partnerships. “I’m looking forward to contributing to the development of multidisciplinary partnerships and the transformation of knowledge to create prosperous and sustainable businesses and communities,” says Rachael. She sees all stakeholders as having a role in innovation and wants to engage end-users, downstream developers, citizens and government.
“We are thrilled that Rachael has joined our team, and look forward to benefitting from her experience and drive,” says Dr. Alan Winter, President and CEO of Genome BC.