​Nancy Tout joined the Global Institute for Food Security in 2022 as Chief Scientific Officer.  Before joining, Dr. Tout held a number of scientific leadership positions in both the private and public research ecosystems for over two decades, including as Head of Research & Development for Syngenta Canada leading a team of scientists across Canada in the discovery, development and registration of innovative agricultural solutions and most recently as a Research Program Officer with Results Driven Agriculture Research shaping the delivery of innovative research funding programs through public, private, producer partnerships.  

Nancy embraces the challenges of being in a science-driven business and is often sharing her passion as an ambassador for science and agricultural literacy through her support and involvement in Scientists in School and Agriculture in the Classroom.  Her passion for accelerated, impact-driven and collaborative innovation aligns well to GIFS’ mission in the work that we do with our partners to discover, develop and deliver innovative solutions for the production of globally sustainable food.

Nancy holds a Honours BSc degree (Biology) from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Guelph.  She has also served on a number of Boards and Advisory Committees including Bioenterprise Corporation’s Science and Innovation Advisory Committee, Wilfrid Laurier University’s Centre for Women in Science Advisory Board, Life Sciences Ontario and AgScape.

Nancy has put down roots now in three provinces across Canada and through those adventures, she enjoys outdoor time with her family in both the summer and winter months.  She also gives back to her community across the country through her charitable work as a Research Information Volunteer and National Government Relations Committee Board Member with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, where once again, science continues to play a central role in her life and her vision of a cure for all children living with Type 1 Diabetes.