UBC gains $12.8M through Canada Research Chairs program

The University of British Columbia will gain research strength in the environmental impact of trade, blood research, computer systems and security and nutrition-related diseases with the appointment of four new investigators to the university as Canada Research Chairs.

The four new chairs and the renewal of another 14 positions represent more than $12.8 million in research funding. They are part of the latest round of 181 appointments totaling $159 million announced today by The Honourable Gary Goodyear, minister of state (science and technology).

“In the current economic climate it is more important than ever to attract and retain talented investigators whose work can help us confront and manage complex issues,” says John Hepburn, Vice-President Research and International. “Top minds are sought after internationally – it is a testament to the university’s reputation that these researchers chose UBC.”

Chair appointments provide research and salary support for either seven- or five-year terms. The seven-year terms are renewable; the five-year terms can be renewed once.

In 2000, the Government of Canada created a permanent program to establish 2000 research professorships – Canada Research Chairs – in eligible degree-granting institutions across the country. The Canada Research Chairs program invests $300 million per year to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds. UBC has now appointed 150 of the 175 Canada Research Chair positions allocated to the university.

Newly appointed UBC chairs include: (in alphabetical order)

Edward Conway, Canada Research Chair in Endothelial Cell Biology, comes to UBC from the University of Leuven and the VIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology) in Leuven, Belgium. An expert in endothelial cells that line blood vessels, Conway will look at the cells’ protective properties to help develop new preventative and therapeutic strategies for many vascular diseases.

Carol McAusland, Canada Research Chair in Trade and Environment, comes to UBC from the University of Maryland. An economist and expert in the environmental impacts of trade, McAusland will study Canada’s trade patterns to determine their effect on industrial emissions and how development of green technologies intended for export may benefit our own environment. She will also identify industrial sectors in which further trade may help or harm the environment.

Stefan Taubert, Canada Research Chair in Transcriptional Regulatory Networks, comes to the university from the University of California at San Francisco. A molecular biologist, Taubert studies the regulation of genes associated with metabolism. His work will contribute to the understanding of nutrition-related diseases such diabetes and obesity.

Andrew Warfield, Canada Research Chair in Computer Systems and Security, comes to UBC from the University of Cambridge. His work will help make existing software systems more stable and secure and will provide developers with better tools to build new software.

A complete listing of Chairs may be found at www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca

Contact

Brian Lin
UBC Public Affairs
Tel: 604.822.2234
Cell: 604.818.5685
E-mail: brian.lin@ubc.ca