Atlantic Canada Organization of Research Networks in Nova Scotia (ACORN-NS)

Terry Dalton is Chair, ACORN-NS (Atlantic Canada Organization of Research Networks in Nova Scotia), Nova Scotia’s Advanced Research and Innovation Network. Terry has served as Vice Chair and Chair of ACORN-NS for the majority of ACORN-NS’s history since 1994. ACORN-NS operates the Nova Scotia GigaPoP, providing digital infrastructure and services to its members and access to the CANARIE Network for the research, education, health and innovation communities. ACORN-NS provides leadership in the development and operation of advanced network infrastructure and services, including community owned fibre, engaging members to discover relationships and opportunity through digital infrastructure and services that lead to collaborations in the development of applications, programs, and R&D activities.

Mr. Dalton’s R&D history with the National Research Council of Canada saw him as co-founder, architect, and manager of the Canadian Bioinformatics Resource (CBR), established in 1996, CANARIE’s first national meritorious advanced research network application. He was responsible for CBR’s informatics design and architecture, strategic initiatives, high performance computing, distributed computing, grid infrastructure and relationships, leading CBR to be established as a Sun Microsystems International Center of Excellence in Distributed Bioinformatics, 2002. Terry was also a co-founder of the Medical Research Networks Consortium of Canada, and has provided informatics consultancy to research groups across Canada as well as researchers in Singapore, Malaysia, USA, Japan and Kenya. Provincially and nationally, Mr. Dalton continues to provide assistance and expertise as Director of Infrastructure for Digital Nova Scotia and Co-Chair of CANARIE’s Technology Committee.

Mr. Dalton is President and CEO of Canadian Informatics Consultants, providing professional ICT consultancy and managed services, “Helping others realize their potential through information technology”, such as Canada’s first hosting of the Global Microcredit Summit 2006, hosted by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus for 2000 delegates and Heads of State from 112 countries. Terry is a 37-year Member of IEEE, a 34-year Member of TechNova, and a recipient of two national NRC Outstanding Achievement Awards for contributions to science and technology in Canada.