MMaurice Avery has in-depth experience in the definition of priorities and strategies related to R&D in general and biotechnology in particular. He has worked in Quebec's university network for more than 25 years, successively as a researcher, professor, dean of graduate studies and research, vice-rector and general secretary. In all these capacities, he has played a central role in formulating university research policies both at the institutional and governmental levels. He has participated in setting up a number of research centres as well as partnerships and collaborative programs involving industrial firms and universities.

In recent years, he has been actively involved in regional strategic planning in science and technology and has contributed to the definition and implementation of the regional technology plan (RTP) for Quebec’s Bas-Saint-Laurent region. Since 1996 Maurice has been a member of the Conseil de la science et de la technologie (CST) of Quebec, which elaborates science and technology (S&T) policies. He has played a key role in developing Quebec's innovation strategy. He has acquired considerable experience of evaluating research activities and formulating strategies and recommendations. As president of SoftInnove, he helps shape strategies in regional and national innovation systems. He is currently involved in the development of the Technopôle maritime du Québec in eastern Quebec, having written the strategic plan that led to the foundation of the Centre de recherche en biotechnologies marines in Rimouski two years ago. He is a board member of the Centre québécois de valorisation des biotechnologies (CQVB), where he is involved in macro- and micro-level strategy definition and recommendations.

Maurice Avery holds a doctorate in biochemistry from Université Laval (UL) and has held post-doctoral fellowships at Hammersmith Hospital in London, UK, and, more recently, at SPRU, University of Sussex, UK.

Maurice Avery works regularly with Science-Metrix. Recent collaborations include the development of a Canadian R&D biostrategy on bioproducts and bioprocesses for the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).