Michael Smith Health Research BC welcomes vice-president, research

We’re pleased to announce that Dr. Danielle Lavallee has been named vice-president, research effective today. As VP, Danielle will oversee our research portfolio, including research strategy, funding programs and partnerships.

With more than 15 years of experience in population health and health services research, Danielle brings significant scientific expertise to the role, including as an independently funded researcher holding grants from public and private funders.

Danielle steps into this role as former VP research Dr. Chonnettia Jones takes the next step in her career journey as the new executive director with Addgene in Boston. Since joining the organization in 2020, Chonnettia has made significant impacts including creating and providing strategic support for our COVID-19 response including: the BC Strategic Research Advisory Committee; the provincial evaluation of the COVID-19 research response and support for researchers impacted by COVID-19; membership into the international Research on Research Institute; and instrumental leadership on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) activities.

“I’m looking forward to working with Danielle in this role as we continue to support the growth and evolution of BC’s vibrant health research system and life sciences sector. She brings a unique lens to our research portfolio with her combination of scientific experience and expertise in patient-oriented research and learning health systems, as well as the broader academic sector,” says Dr. Bev Holmes, president and CEO of Health Research BC. “And I want to sincerely thank Chonnettia for all of her contributions over the past two years. She joined at the start of the pandemic and immediately made impacts in our ability to support health research talent. We benefitted from her leadership in the areas of EDI and her foundational work will continue to benefit the organization.”