Hans Yu

Hans Yu

Chief Scientific Data Officer

The Chief Scientific Data Officer provides leadership on open science as well as scientific perspectives on data and information management, privacy and governance. The Chief Scientific Data Officer promotes a science culture that is open by design and by default within the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Hans Yu is the Executive Director of the Strategic Business and Partnerships Directorate in the Science Branch at the CFIA. He obtained his M.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology at Queen's University.

Mr. Yu has held various scientific and management roles within the federal public service since joining Agriculture Canada in 1990 as a Biotechnology Officer in the Fertilizer Section. In 1998, Mr. Yu joined Health Canada and has since held various management positions with increasing responsibilities in scientific regulation, science policy and operational management. In 2018, Mr. Yu joined the CFIA as the Executive Director of the Strategic Business and Partnerships Directorate.

Currently, Mr. Yu provides corporate leadership on research management and science collaboration and leads federal open science initiatives for the CFIA. As the Chief Scientific Data Officer, he will enhance the coordination between open data, open science, and science data management and drive forward the publishing of CFIA's datasets.


The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) touches the lives of all Canadians in so many positive ways. Each day, hard-working CFIA employees—including inspectors, veterinarians and scientists—inspect food for safety risks, protect plants from pests and invasive species, and respond to animal diseases that could threaten Canada's national herd and human health. Guided by science-based decision-making and modern regulations, the Agency works tirelessly to ensure access to safe and healthy food in Canada, and support access to international markets for our high-quality agricultural products.