Nipun Vats has been appointed assistant DM of the science and research sector at the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, replacing Lawrence Hanson who moved to Transport Canada in June to become assistant DM policy. Nipun was previously DG at ISED’s strategic policy branch. Prior to joining ISED in 2015, he was executive assistant to the DM at Natural Resources Canada and served as secretary to the National Advisory Panel on Energy, Science and Technology. He has also held senior positions at Privy Council Office and Finance Canada. Nipun has broad experience in federal-provincial relations as well as experience with international initiatives He holds a PhD in physics from the Univ of Toronto and a masters of public affairs from Princeton Univ, specializing in science, technology and environmental policy.