Kelvin K. Ogilvie
Professor Emeritus
Acadia University
K2O Consulting
Canning, NS
Canada
Kelvin K. Ogilvie, distinguished scientist, teacher, researcher, advisor to industry and governments and Past President and Vice-Chancellor of Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
Dr. Ogilvie became a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Manitoba in 1968. He moved to McGill University in 1974 and in 1984 he was appointed Director, Office of Biotechnology, and Canadian Pacific Professor of Biotechnology, at McGill. He held these positions until 1987, when he returned to Nova Scotia and Acadia University to serve as Vice-President (Academic) and Professor of Chemistry.
Dr. Ogilvie is one of the world's leading experts on biotechnology, bio-organic chemistry, and genetic engineering. His scientific accomplishments include the development of the "Gene Machine," an automated process for the manufacture of DNA. He is the inventor of Ganciclovir, a drug used around the world to fight infections that occur when one's immune system is weakened. AIDS and transplant patients benefit from the drug, which is also being tested to treat human brain tumours. He also developed a general method for the chemical synthesis of large RNA molecules employing silyl protecting groups that is still the basis for RNA synthesis worldwide.
He has served on the Atomic Energy Control Board, the National Advisory Board on Science and Technology (NABST), the National Biotechnology Advisory Committee (NBAC), the NBAC Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Regulatory Affairs, and the NBAC Subcommittee on Human Biopharmaceuticals and Diagnostics. He was a member of Labour Canada's Occupational Safety and Health Steering Committee on Biotechnology, and the Expert Panel Reporting on Transfer of Non-regulatory Federal Laboratories.
Dr. Ogilvie chaired the Selection Committee for the 1997 renewal competition for the Networks of Centres of Excellence Program and was a member of the Council of Ministers Advisory Committee for On-Line Learning and a member of the national Canadian e-Business Initiative. He also serves on the scientific advisory boards of Canadian and international corporations including Terragon Environmental technologies Inc of Montreal. He was the first chair of the Premier's Council for Innovation in Nova Scotia and a member of the Treasury Board Expert Panel to review federal laboratories. He currently chairs the Atlantic Innovation Fund and the Advisory Board for the NRC Institutes of Marine Bioscience and Nutriceuticals and Health Science. He is the inventor of the drug Ganciclovir and the chemistry of the first commercial gene machine and was the first to complete a total synthesis of a transfer RNA molecule. Dr. Ogilvie's scientific and academic accomplishments are recognized by numerous awards and appointments including the Steacie Fellowship, the Manning Principal Award and membership in the Order of Canada.
Dr. Ogilvie was appointed Vice-Chancellor and 13th President of Acadia University on July 1, 1993. Dr. Ogilvie completed his 10-year tenure as President and Vice-Chancellor of Acadia University on August 31, 2003.
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