The University of British Columbia will gain research strength in neuroscience, cancer screening, pediatrics, psychology, balance disorders and economics with the appointment and renewal of 12 UBC scholars as Canada Research Chairs.
These chairs – three new and nine renewals – are valued at $11.4 million and bring UBC’s total number of Canada Research Chairs to 175, the second largest complement of CRC appointments at any university in the country.
UBC’s chairs are among 187 federally-funded research positions awarded or renewed today, representing a total investment of $165.5 million distributed to 44 universities, research institutes and hospitals across Canada.
“The Canada Research Chairs program has helped to transform university research at UBC and across Canada,” says John Hepburn, Vice President Research and International at UBC. “Chairholders in all disciplines have conducted excellent research, creating new discoveries and generating new knowledge to improve the quality of life of Canadians.”
The federally-funded research chairs are designed to build Canada’s research capacity. An investment of $900 million will support the establishment of 2,000 Chairs at universities across the country.
Sarah Otto, a Professor of Zoology and Director of the Biodiversity Research Centre, is the new Canada Research Chair in Theoretical and Experimental Evolution. Her research uses mathematical, experimental, and genomic tools to understand evolution.
Toni Schmader, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, is the new Canada Research Chair in Social Psychology. Her research explores the interplay between negative stereotypes, self-esteem, emotion, motivation and performance.
Sujatha Ramdorai, a Professor in the Department of Mathematics, is the new Canada Research Chair in Mathematics. Her research focuses on arithmetic, geometry and algebraic number theory.
Mark Carpenter, an Assistant Professor in the School of Human Kinetics, has been renewed as Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity and Health. His research explores the physiological and psychological factors of balance disorders and treatments for reducing the risk and impact of falls.
Samuel Aparicio, a Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, has been renewed as Canada Research Chair in Molecular Oncology. A cancer expert, his research uses genetics and bioinformatics to develop and test multiple molecular event experimental models for breast and ovarian cancers.
Ivar Ekeland, jointly appointed to the departments of Mathematics and Economics, has been renewed as Canada Research Chair in Mathematical Economics. Using optimization theory and classical mechanics, he develops solutions to mathematical problems arising in economics, finance and economics modeling.
Leonard Foster, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, has been renewed as Canada Research Chair in Organellar Proteomics. His research uses proteomics and cell biology to understand interactions between pathogens and their host.
Brian MacVicar, a Professor of Psychiatry, has been renewed as Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience. His research involves using a multi-photon laser scanning microscopy to examine how cells surrounding the brain’s neurons modify the activity of other neurons.
Christian Naus, a Professor of Cellular and Physiological Sciences and Director of the Life Sciences Institute, has been renewed as Canada Research Chair in Gap Junctions and Disease. His research studies the role of gap junctions in neural development and disease.
Max Cynader, a Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Brain Research Centre at Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI), has been renewed as the Canada Research Chair in Brain Development. His research topics include how the brain processes vision and sound at the neural and molecular level.
Bruce Vallance, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, has been renewed as the Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Gastroenterology. His clinical studies are in the areas of inflammatory bowel disease, liver disorders and acid related disorders.
Frank Duong, an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, has been renewed as the Canada Research Chair in Prokaryotic Membrane Biology. His cell biology explorations include how proteins cross and interact with cell membranes.