Jeremy de Beer
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, University of Ottawa, and Open AIR
Professor Jeremy de Beer is a prominent scholar in intellectual property, technology and international trade. His research explores the governance of ideas and knowledge in the 21st century economy.
De Beer’s work addresses how rules governing intellectual property affect access to essential innovations in areas like clean technology, educational resources and biomedical breakthroughs, for example, with regards to vaccines that combat global pandemics.
His work with grassroots innovators and high-level policymakers in countries around the world, particularly in Africa, has gathered evidence on how the intellectual property system affects people’s everyday lives. “The insights gained from these interactions help refine international policies to better respond to the needs of communities on the ground,” says de Beer. “It’s hard to reflect the diverse realities of global communities in laws designed in Brussels and Geneva — ground up is the way to go for meaningful and inclusive policy.”
Learn more: Jeremy de Beer elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Elizabeth Dubois
Member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars
Faculty of Arts, University of Ottawa, and Centre for Law, Technology and Society
Elizabeth Dubois is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Ottawa. As head of Pol Comm Tech Lab—an academic group studying the intersections of politics, communication, and technology—her research examines how technology shapes political communication and public engagement in democracy.
Dubois focuses on how technology influences candidates, journalists and lobbyists, as well as public understanding and voting behaviour. Her work is crucial to understanding how technology impacts democracy today.
Her journey began as an undergraduate working on Parliament Hill, where she developed a passion for connecting research with real-world applications in journalism, policymaking, and civil society. “The best part of my work is connecting with people and helping them engage more effectively in democracy,” says Dubois.
During the 2019 federal election, Dubois’s team worked on issues like disinformation and election integrity by collaborating with journalists, civil society and tech companies to provide voters with reliable information.
Learn more: Elizabeth Dubois elected to the Royal Society of Canada's College of New Scholars
Emilio Alarcón
Member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars
Faculty of Medicine and University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Dr. Emilio Alarcón is an associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on developing advanced biomaterials aimed at repairing damaged tissues, including those of the heart, skin and cornea.
Alarcón’s pioneering work in biomaterials has significant implications for aging populations and individuals facing climate-related health challenges. His team’s innovations are designed to address vital needs in cardiovascular health and tissue repair.
Alarcón’s dedication to his field is also deeply personal. After his son was born with a congenital condition that left him with a hole in his heart, Alarón shifted his career from industrial chemistry to biomaterials science. “My son’s condition pushed me to develop solutions that could not only transform his life but also bring hope and healing to others facing similar challenges,” he says.
Learn more: Royal Society of Canada recognizes Dr. Emilio Alarcón as member of emerging generation of scientist leaders
Olha Chernovol
Member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars
Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section, University of Ottawa
Olha Chernovol, PhD, is a Ukrainian lawyer and scholar who joined the University of Ottawa through its Scholars at Risk program after fleeing Kyiv during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Her research spans corporate law, criminal law and policy analysis, focusing on anti-corruption.
Currently, Chernovol is investigating Ukraine’s anti-corruption mechanisms, analyzing both recent developments and pre-war risks. Her passion lies in developing effective legal frameworks to fight corruption and ensure justice. “What drives me is the chance to advance transparency and accountability across all levels of government and public service,” she says.
Her work also aims to strengthen Canadian legislation on remediation agreements by drawing on international experiences, especially from Ukraine. This research is pivotal for enhancing Canada’s anti-corruption measures and building more resilient, fair systems.
Learn more: Dr. Olha Chernovol elected to Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars
