Overview
In the Network, Our People are our most valuable resource. They are all important in helping us to build a strong photovoltaic research community across Canada, and a national presence internationally.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors consists of 17 members (15 of whom are voting members) including representation from the Investigators, Host University (VP Research), and the public and private sectors in Canada and internationally. The Network Scientific Director, Network Manager, and NSERC Account Manager are also members of the Board.
The Board of Directors is responsible to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Responsibilities include providing financial accountability to NSERC and contributing Partners; providing scientific leadership to the NSERC Photovoltaic Innovation Network; and providing leadership to the Network partnership.
View Members
Network Management
The Network Management Centre is located at McMaster University, in the Department of Engineering Physics. As the driving force behind the Network, responsibilities of the Centre include strategic planning; budget planning and fiscal management; management of scientific project reporting; process oversight of all committees; progress and metrics reporting to the Board of Directors, Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), and Technology Transfer Committee (TTC); accountability reporting to NSERC; human resources management; education and training programs and opportunities; conference and event management; and communications, outreach, marketing and promotion of the Network.
Researchers and Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP)
There are 32 Researchers and over 100 Highly Qualified Personnel across 16 Canadian Universities in the Network. These HQP consist of Students at the Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD levels, as well as young professionals such as Postdoctoral Fellows, Research Technical and Professional Assistants. Find out who is working on each of our projects.
Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)
The Scientific Advisory Committee is composed of several Project Leaders, an external member of the scientific community, the Network Manager, and is chaired by the Network Scientific Director. The main role of the SAC is to oversee the scientific integrity of each research project, to provide corrective guidance to project teams as necessary, and to make recommendations to the Board of Directors for continued funding.
Technology Transfer Committee (TTC)
The Technology Transfer Committee (TTC) is an advisory committee to the Network Management Centre and its role is to facilitate technology transfer and maximize the translation of research to commercialization for the benefit of Canada. The TTC serves as a neutral, confidential body and is composed of representatives of University, Industry and Government, and other organizations or individuals that have a mandate, but no financial interest, in commercialization of technologies derived from the NSERC Photovoltaic Innovation Network research activities. Members may not be affiliated with a For-Profit Network Partner or obtain direct funding from the NSERC Photovoltaic Innovation Network.
Partners
The Network has a total of 36 partners including our Supporting Partners, Academic Partners, and Other Partners from industry, national laboratories and agencies, publically funded granting agencies, and non-governmental organizations. These partners support our research and activities by providing training and internships for our Highly Qualified Personnel, helping build prototypes, assisting with outreach and delivering educational talks, providing discounts on highly advanced technological equipment, contributing special supplies and technical expertise for specific research projects, and giving guidance on intellectual property.
Network Alumni
At one time, our Alumni were contributors on a Network-funded research project in the capacity of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP). They may have completed their research term or graduated from their academic program of study and moved onto other endeavours, and still continue to be a part of our extended Network. They receive Network communications and invitations to participate in education and training opportunities. Find out if you know any of our Network Alumni.
Extended Network Members
In the future, we will be inviting you to officially become part of our Extended Network Members section by posting a detailed profile about your background, work, and interest in photovoltaics to encourage communication and collaboration across our extended community.
How To Get Involved
There are a variety of exciting ways to become involved in the extended community of the NSERC Photovoltaic Innovation Network.