A distinguished scientist and former industry leader, Dr Moridi is a former esteemed member of the Government of Ontario’s cabinet. The talents and leadership demonstrated throughout his career and his pronounced commitment to serving people converged in 2007 when he won a seat in the Ontario legislature, becoming the first politician from the Iranian community elected to any legislature in North America.
Dr Moridi’s educational and professional background equips him with the rare expertise of being able to bridge the distinct worlds of science and business. After graduating in physics from Tehran University, he attended Brunel where he obtained MTech and PhD degrees. He worked as a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Physicist, including for 17 years at Canada’s Radiation Safety Institute as Vice-President and Chief Scientist. A Fellow of both the Institute of Physics and Institute of Engineering and Technology of the UK, Dr Moridi has received awards from the Canadian Nuclear Society and the Health Physics Society of the United States.
Re-elected twice to the Ontario legislature, Dr Moridi served as Ontario’s Minister of Research, Innovation and Science. Previously, he was Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. He was instrumental in helping the Ontario government develop a full spectrum of programs and services to support entrepreneurism. This includes establishing the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs, a collaborative network that supports commercialization of innovation. Under his leadership, the ministry also founded start-up accelerators and entrepreneurial programs at universities and colleges across Ontario to harness the ideas of students with entrepreneurial inclinations. Whilst in office, he helped make Ontario a leader in venture capital, joining the federal government, corporate and institutional investors to launch a major venture capital fund to support the growth and prosperity of start-up ventures.
As a former member of Provincial Parliament, Dr Moridi was highly involved in his riding of Richmond Hill, where he regularly hosted events for the community and met with constituents to hear their concerns, opinions and provide advice. During this time he awarded a number of local girls and women the “Leading Women, Leading Girls, Building Communities Award,” which honours their valuable community work.
Dr Reza Moridi is known for the impact of his recent work as a champion of innovation and the critical role that higher education can play in collaborating with industry to develop life-changing new technologies for Ontario and the world.
After retiring from politics, Dr Reza Moridi has been appointed to the following honorary academic positions:
- Senior Fellow, Massey College, University of Toronto
- Honorary Adjunct Professor, Shandong Normal University, China
- Chair, Dean’s Advisory Board, Faculty of Science, York University, Toronto
- Honorary Doctorate, Odlar Yurdu University, Baku, Azerbaijan, 2017
- Chair, Board of Directors, Radiation Safety Institute of Canada
- Trustee, Royal Canadian Institute for Science, Toronto, Canada
- Honorary Governor, Mon Sheong Foundation, Toronto, Canada
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