What is Nanotech BC Doing?

Establishing Nanotech BC

The nanotechnology steering committee was formed in 2003, and its members shouldered much of the early work to raise awareness and launch Nanotech BC. In particular, Victor Jones contributed to putting the society on a firm legal footing and, together with other members, piloted the group’s initial outreach to similar organizations across Canada and the United States.

In May, 2006, Alan Guest was recruited as an interim Executive Director. Nanotech BC's first official board meeting took place on 18 July 2006 with Bruce Schmidt (Genome BC) assuming Chairman/President, Michael Alldritt (NRC-IRAP) as the Vice Chair, and Chris Erickson (Panaea Ventures Ltd.) as Treasurer/Secretary. The board appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers as its auditors and McCarthy Tetrault as legal council.

Outreach

Nanotech BC has been actively engaged with other organizations, and has sponsored attendance at meetings in Montreal (with NanoQuebec), in Edmonton (at NanoForum Canada 2006, the opening of NINT, and interprovincial meetings addressing nanotechnology strategy), and at the recent ONAMI conference in Vancouver Washington. The team also hosted an incoming trade mission from the South Eastern United States in early June. Through these activities Nanotech BC is beginning to establish itself as the gateway to exploring British Columbia's nanotechnology resources and activities.

Other Initiatives

Nanotech BC is working with Prof. Neil Branda at Simon Fraser University to provide logistical support for a new NanoMed Canada website currently under development. Nanotech BC is also exploring collaborative opportunities between BC and Alberta to formulating a joint project to roadmap key technologies of mutual interest in both jurisdictions. If successful this model may form the basis of future interprovincial or national initiatives. Nanotech BC is also currently developing an educational outreach program to bring university nanotech researchers into the K-12 public school system and introduce students to nanotechnology.