Kirk Nylen

Kirk directs Baszucki Group’s strategic approach to neuroscience research and discovery. He has extensive experience in the health and research sectors, most recently serving as the Deputy Scientific Director and Vice President of Research and Informatics at the Ontario Brain Institute where he led the Institute’s approach to collaborative research networks, informatics and analytics, and knowledge translation. He believes in the power of team science and that the future of discovery and innovation is anchored in data connectivity. His previous experience involves writing healthcare strategy and business plans for Ontario’s provincial cancer agency. Kirk is a member of the Milken Institute’s LeadersLink program, a Fellow of the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT Health), and has advised both national and provincial governments at research and data governance policy tables. He is a recipient of the Van Gelder Savoy Award for epilepsy research and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Doctoral Research Award, and led work that received the Changemaker Award from the Neurological Health Charities of Canada. He has authored dozens of academic and policy publications, and serves as an adjunct professor and lecturer at the University of Toronto. Kirk holds an MSc and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and a BA in psychology from the University of Saskatchewan. He is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Ontario Science Centre and the founding Director and Chair of ReachUp, a not-for-profit focused on engaging Indigenous youth in active, healthy living through sport.

Dr. Nylen has been involved in epilepsy research, policy, and planning for 25 years. Kirk’s PhD focused on how a ketogenic diet works to treat epilepsy in children with drug-resistant seizures. He was a founding member of the Epilepsy Implementation TaskForce in Canada.

Awards

• Van Gelder Savoy Award for epilepsy research
• ChangeMaker award from Canadian Neurological Charities
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research PhD Scholarship

Number of Publications

21