Michael John Irwin Appointed to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

OTTAWA, June 26, 2008 — The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), today announced the appointment of Mr. Michael John Irwin as a member of the Council.

"Mr. Irwin will be a valued addition to the Council and its ongoing work in supporting university research in science and engineering. His experience on numerous boards dedicated to the commercialization of research and his wide variety of work experience and knowledge will be a true asset to the work of the Council," said Minister Prentice. "I welcome Mr. Irwin to NSERC."

Since 1997, Mr. Irwin has worked in various positions for 3M Canada Company, including Laboratory Manager and Senior Chemist. In 2005, he assumed the role of Executive Director, Technical Operations.

Mr. Irwin has served on numerous boards, including the Advisory Committee on University Industry Grants, the Ontario Phonics Consortium, UWO Technology and Commercialization and the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance.

Mr. Irwin holds a Ph.D. and B.Sc. (Honours) from the University of Western Ontario, where he received numerous post-graduate scholarships, including an NSERC post-graduate scholarship and the Ontario Centre for Materials Research Graduate Scholarship.

NSERC is a federal agency whose vision is to help make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for the benefit of all Canadians. The agency supports some 25,000 university students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding more than 11,000 university professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 1,400 Canadian companies to participate and invest in university research projects.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of Industry
Telephone: 613-995-9001

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502