Sana Tariq

Biography

Sana holds a Master’s degree in Neuroscience and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Calgary. With over a decade of experience in clinical research specializing in stroke neurology, she has developed deep expertise in neuroimaging and neuropsychology. Her career spans the research, life sciences, and innovation ecosystems across Canada and the United States, where she has worked at the intersection of science and entrepreneurship. As an entrepreneur-in-residence at an accelerator, she guided early-stage companies in transforming research into real-world applications. She later brought this expertise to a startup in California, driving the translation of scientific advancements into business success. With a strong grasp of industry landscapes, funding agencies, and government frameworks, she is adept at navigating complex innovation environments.

Before joining the Vice-President (Research) Office, Sana played a key role in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering, where she led major initiatives across six faculties. She worked closely with internal and external stakeholders to develop funding strategies and advance research-driven innovation.

In her current role, she supports strategic initiatives within the Vice-President (Research) portfolio, including the Advancing Canadian Water Assets (ACWA) research facility, the Urban Alliance partnership, and the Cities and Societies focus area within the Institutes of Transdisciplinary Scholarship. With a strong foundation in advisory and project management, she is committed to driving meaningful impact in research, innovation, and transdisciplinary collaboration.