Biography
In January 2021, Dr. Alireza Jalali began a five-year term as associate dean, External Relations, Engagement and Advancement (EREA) at the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine. Previously, Dr. Jalali had served as interim assistant dean of EREA since June 2019.
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, Dr. Jalali is spearheading the creation of a comprehensive fundraising roadmap. In addition, he leads the strategic communications team in its drive to achieve the Faculty’s rankings enhancement goals; fosters collaboration between Marketing and Communications, Advancement and Francophone Affairs to reinforce the Faculty’s clinical, research and Francophonie priorities; and strengthen relationships with alumni and donors.
Dr. Jalali has also established a strong connection with uOttawa central campus and its External Relations team, cementing a top position for the Faculty within uOttawa’s pan-university Transformation 2030 campaign.
From 2015 to 2020, Dr. Jalali served as the head of the Division of Anatomy. He has a medical doctorate and a specialist diploma in sports medicine from the University of Liège in Belgium. Since coming to the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine in 2003, he has been a passionate and innovative instructor of functional anatomy. Through his teaching, Dr. Jalali has developed an active research program in educational innovations, involving tools such as podcasts, videos, team-based learning, social media platforms, and 3D printing.
Dr. Jalali has an exceptional track record in leadership, from roles as an Undergraduate Medical Education unit leader, to director of Practical Exams, to social media advisor at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He has received numerous awards, including the 2020 University of Ottawa Teacher of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2021 John Ruedy Award for Innovation in Medical Education from the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada.