NBIF Announces Appointment of Dr. Laura Richard As Director of Research

–NB Native Holds PhD From Oxford, Brings International R&D Expertise To NBIF–

FREDERICTON—The New Brunswick Innovation Foundation today announced that Dr. Laura Richard has joined the organization as its new Director of Research. The NBIF provides funding to startup companies and to researchers at universities, colleges and institutes undertaking research leading to commercialization in New Brunswick.

Dr. Richard is a chemist and data scientist who earned her Bachelor of Science at the University of New Brunswick and her PhD in Inorganic Chemistry at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. She most recently worked with Procter & Gamble in Belgium and France, conducting research and development for products like Tide Pods and Downy fabric softener. Prior to that, she was Senior Chemist at Velocys, a renewable fuels company spun out of Oxford University that cost-effectively produces low-carbon fuels from waste materials like woody biomass and municipal solid waste.

“Laura is a strategic addition to the NBIF team and New Brunswick’s research community,” said Jeff White, who was recently appointed CEO of the organization. “She brings a wealth of relevant experience to her role as Director of Research at the NBIF. Her R&D expertise with a global powerhouse like Proctor & Gamble and her understanding of how to turn that research into strong consumer products will be a tremendous asset for our organization and the people we work with.”

Dr. Richard holds a number of patents and has published her work in peer-reviewed journals. She was awarded the prestigious Clarendon Scholarship at Oxford and the Beaverbrook Scholars Award at UNB and is a Sir Howard Douglas scholar.

“I am thrilled to return home to New Brunswick and join the strong NBIF team to assist researchers and startups in the province succeed,” said Dr. Richard. “There is so much potential in New Brunswick and I look forward to being part of the team that helps unlock it.”

About New Brunswick Innovation Foundation

Since its launch 15 years ago, the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, an independent, non-profit corporation, has invested over $100 million in New Brunswick startups and researchers and leveraged $457 million more from other private and public sources. Those strategic investments have helped launch over 100 companies and funded nearly 500 applied research projects. Profits from NBIF’s investments go back into the foundation for reinvestment in other startups and research initiatives that drive innovation, attract investment and create jobs in New Brunswick. Find out more at nbif.ca.