Dr. Michael Leonard graduated with his MD from Queen’s University at Kingston in 1983, and then completed Urology training at Queen’s in 1988, obtaining his FRCS(C). He then went on to a Pediatric Urology Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore from 1988-1990.

He had been in full time academic practice as a Pediatric Urologist from 1990-2020. His initial appointment was at the University of Manitoba, and he relocated to the University of Ottawa in 1999. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He was a Full Professor of Surgery (Urology) at University of Ottawa. He has published over 90 papers, written eight book chapters and edited a textbook.  He has served on the Pediatric Editorial Board of the Journal of Urology.  He was chair of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Examination Board for Urology.  He was President of the Canadian Urological Association (2015-2016).

He joined the Office of Clinical Trials as Manager of the Medical Review Team in October of 2020 after leaving medical practice.  In this position, he oversees reviewers of clinical trial applications / amendments, including psychedelics and controlled substances. He was a member of the team that produced the updated Health Canada notice for sponsors submitting clinical trials involving cannabis.  He is currently a member of the ICH E6 working group, which provides international guidance on clinical trial conduct.   He, his wife, and several animals live on a farm in rural Ottawa.