Maurice Bitran

Maurice Bitran is an Assistant Professor in the Teaching Stream at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto. He holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Florida and has extensive experience in public-sector leadership, including roles as CEO and Chief Scientist of the Ontario Science Centre (2014–2019), Assistant Deputy Minister in Ontario Government portfolios (Environmental Policy, Economic Development, CETA negotiations), and Director of key provincial funds and branches.

• Affiliations: Board member at the Institute of Work and Health; former board memberships include Ontario Genomics, Tourism Toronto, and Canadian Association of Science Centres.
• Research & Teaching: Focuses on policy implementation, science's role in public policy, and interdisciplinary governance. Previously held academic roles at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine, University of Florida’s Astronomy Department, University of Chile’s Astronomy Department, and NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

Language Proficiency: Fluent in English, French, and Spanish.