January 21, 2025
Dr. Kate Kaminska brings a broad multi-disciplinary perspective to a newly updated role as the Chief Scientist at the Department of National Defence’s science and technology organization, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). With a PhD in physics, previous positions in the security and defence science realms, and experience in Defence’s Digital Services Group, Dr. Kaminska has a unique skill set to offer science-informed advice to defence decision-makers.
“One of the main tasks is separating the signal from the noise: to take science advice and translate it into something actionable for decision makers,” explains Dr. Kaminska. “I’m really passionate about putting the ‘defence’ back in ‘defence scientist’ to ensure that our work is directly supporting the defence mission and the people in uniform.”
Dr. Kaminska was inspired by a physics teacher during high school to pursue a career in science. She immigrated to Canada to pursue her undergraduate and post-graduate degrees at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, then began her career working in carbon nanotubes at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). When she joined the DRDC Centre for Security Science in 2010, she began working on issues that required input from diverse stakeholders, in multiple organizations and even across borders. For example, she worked on a large cross-border experiment with the US Department of Homeland Security on using social media in emergency management - YouTube (11:39 minutes).
“At the time we were able to influence the field and where it was going. Merging social science and hard science is extremely powerful and can contribute to diplomacy,” Dr. Kaminska says. “Multidisciplinary research is a passion. In my opinion, it is the secret sauce to the best research we do at DRDC.”
That passion for bringing together experts led Dr. Kaminska to work in a variety of positions throughout her 15-year career at National Defence, including corporate management, working with the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security program, and most recently as a director within the Digital Services Group.
“I’ve really caught the digital transformation bug,” she says, explaining that digital transformation is not just tech. “It is about becoming more agile, making processes simpler, getting rid of unnecessary complexity, being more open to risk and embracing an iterative approach. Digital transformation is a mindset that can be applied to many contexts.”
Dr. Kaminska says that she is looking forward to applying this approach “to thinking big, but starting small,” to her new role, especially at a time of significant change for DRDC.
DRDC is responsible for science and technology investments in NORAD modernization to advance continental defence capabilities, funded at $4.23 billion over 20 years.
“We’re at the precipice of a huge change as we roll out this investment and it is an exciting time to be able to work directly with the Assistant Deputy Minister, and be part of continuous improvement,” Dr. Kaminska says.
The Chief Scientist also advises on talent management for defence scientists, serves as the departmental Science Integrity Lead, responsible for promoting the Science Integrity Policy, and represents National Defence in the federal departmental science advisor network, led by Canada’s Chief Science Advisor, Dr. Mona Nemer.