The career of Dr Robert Boily, president and founder of Inforex Inc., spans more than 30 years at the cutting edge of science & technology. He studied electronics at the Teccart Institute and at the Montreal Polytechnic School, and then optics, optoelectronics and semiconductors in Rochester (New York, USA) and Toronto. He also completed a Bachelor's degree in Education at the University of Quebec in Montreal, followed by Master's (M.A.) and Doctorate (Ph.D.) degrees in Psychology of Learning at the University of Montreal.
Dr Boily is one of the foremost authorities on research, analysis and communication of international strategic knowledge in Science & Technology. A top expert of Science & Technology Intelligence (STI) and a long-time senior advisor to governments, industry, research laboratories and funding institutions, his work has been recognized with several prizes, awards and honours at the national and international levels.
During the past 20 years, he has supported a multitude of sectors in basic, applied and translational research, by providing the knowledge required to launch R&D projects or make them move forward, by helping to establish international partnerships, by exchanging Science & Technology knowledge with partner countries and by facilitating access to funds from financial and venture capital societies. He works mostly with scientists, executives and decison makers.
Dr Boily has directed over 850 Science & Technology knowledge projects for major corporations and organizations located in Canada, the United States and Europe. His work has supported research and development initiatives totalling over 450 million dollars and has contributed to create thousands of high level jobs in several sectors : biotechnology, aerospace, electronics, energy, polymers, nanotechnology, plasma, medical imaging, lasers, environment, robotics, chemistry, advanced materials, etc. His work has been an important factor in the success of international cooperation projects involving Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan.
During his career, he has worked in collaboration with several of the most important organizations and corporations, such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, the NASA, the European Space Agency, the National Research Council of Canada, the National Institute of Scientific Research, the Canadian Space Agency, the Department of National Defence, Novartis Pharma, Honeywell, Siemens Medical Systems, Alcan Aluminum, Schlumberger Oil & Gas, Schering-Plough Research Institute, Merck, DuPont, GlaxoSmithKline, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, General Electric Aircraft Engines, General Electric Healthcare, Domtar, Rockwell Automation, Osram Sylvania, Philips Electronics, Toshiba Matsushita, and many more.
Dr Boily is Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), Fellow of the World Innovation Foundation (FWIF), Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (FAAAS), Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science (FWAAS), member of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, life member of the Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science, member of the Mensa Society, and member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA). In November 2008, he was the speaker of honour at the XXVth McGovern Lecture on Science & Society, in Washington, D.C.
He is presently member of the Scientific Advisory Board at Orbit Exploration, a company specialized in the developement of very high purity alumina.
He also served, among others, on the Professor Selection Committee at the Engineering & Technology School (ETS) of the University of Quebec, on the Multifaculty Committee of Research Ethics of the University of Montreal, and on the Science & Technology Committee of the Laval Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The city of Laval is known for its scientific park that holds several of the most innovative corporations, especially in the fields of biotechnology and life sciences.
Dr Boily is also a passionate of History and Arts : music, painting, museums, literature, architecture, ancient civilizations, medieval and celtic studies, etc.