15 Facts About Suzanne Fortier

Suzanne Fortier grew up speaking only French and attended a small local convent, which served as elementary school.

Suzanne Fortier was among the first group of girls admitted to the local CEGEP, where she and a friend decided to enter the 1968 Quebec provincial science fair.

Suzanne Fortier entered McGill University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972.

Suzanne Fortier won an NRC Canada Post Graduate Scholarship and entered directly into a PhD program in crystallography.

Suzanne Fortier was the first woman to be hired by the department.

Suzanne Fortier was interested in using artificial intelligence and other mathematical and machine learning techniques to determine the structure of proteins.

Suzanne Fortier later served as Queen's Vice-Principal for Research from 1995 to 2000, and then as Vice-Principal for Academics from 2000 to 2005.

Suzanne Fortier took a leave from Queen's to become the President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, a Canadian government agency that provides grants for research in the natural sciences and in engineering.

Suzanne Fortier served as head of NSERC from January 16,2006 until March 4,2013.

In September 2013, Suzanne Fortier was appointed the principal and vice-chancellor of McGill University.

Suzanne Fortier's contract was made public in 2013 by the university.

Suzanne Fortier was a member of the Advisory Council on Economic Growth, which advised the Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau on economic policies to achieve long-term sustainable growth.

In 2022, Suzanne Fortier announced her retirement from the role of principal and vice-chancellor of McGill University effective August 31,2022.

Suzanne Fortier was awarded a total of three honorary doctorates from Thompson Rivers University, Carleton University, and the University of Glasgow.

Suzanne Fortier was honored with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.