Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation, University of Toronto Mississauga 
Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

Dr. France Gagnon is an esteemed Canadian expert in genomic and epigenomic epidemiology, with a distinguished career in research, education, and academic leadership. Since January 2025, she has served as Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation (VPRI) at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), where she leads strategic initiatives to advance research excellence, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration across the campus and with external partners. 

In addition to her leadership role at UTM, Dr. Gagnon is a tenured Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH). Her research focuses on the genetic and epigenetic determinants of chronic cardiovascular diseases, with a particular emphasis on population-based genetics, quantitative trait genetics, and sex-based differences in disease susceptibility. 

She has authored over 65 peer-reviewed publications and secured more than $10 million in research funding from national and international agencies. Dr. Gagnon is also the founding lead director of STAGE (Strategic Training for Advanced Genetic Epidemiology), Canada’s first interdisciplinary research training program in genetic epidemiology and statistical genetics. 

As Associate Dean of Research at DLSPH (2017–2024), she played a pivotal role in expanding the school’s research enterprise, overseeing a 250% increase in external grant revenue and launching major initiatives. Her leadership is grounded in a strong commitment to collaborative research, equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence. 

Dr. Gagnon holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Université de Montréal, an MSc in Experimental Medicine from Université Laval, and undergraduate degrees from the University of Ottawa. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Genetic Epidemiology at the University of Washington.