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Announcements – April 2015

BY NATALIE SAMSON | APR 01 2015
David Bentley
David Bentley

The Canada Council for the Arts announced the 2015 winners of the prestigious Killam prizes and Killam research fellowships. Each of the five Killam prize winners will receive $100,000 in recognition for an exceptionally rich career in the humanities, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, health sciences, or interdisciplinary studies within these fields. Killam fellowships are generally awarded to full professors with outstanding reputations in their disciplines and come with a prize of $70,000 over two years, plus a leave of duties to pursue a specific research project.

This year’s Killam prize winners are:

  • David Bentley, a nationally acclaimed teacher and leading scholar of Canadian poetry at Western University (humanities)
  • Vijay K. Bhargava, a leading researcher in wireless communications and a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of British Columbia (engineering)
  • Victoria Kaspi, a professor of astrophysics at McGill University whose study of rapidly spinning compact neutron stars called pulsars has led to several important discoveries (natural sciences)
  • Donald Savoie, a leading Canadian expert on public policy, public administration and federalism at Université de Moncton (social sciences)
  • Lorne Tyrrell, an MD and professor in the department medical microbiology and immunology at the University of Alberta, who contributed to the discovery of anti-virals against hepatitis B (health sciences)

This year’s Killam fellows (and their winning projects) are:

  • Jonathan Abbatt, department of chemistry at the University of Toronto (Aerosol Particles and Climate: Addressing Fundamental Connections in the Canadian Arctic)
  • Cathleen Crudden, department of chemistry at Queen’s University (Organically Modified Metal Surfaces: Biosensing and Beyond)
  • Troy Day, a mathematical biologist in the department of math and statistics at Queen’s (Designing Evolution-Proof Cancer Chemotherapy with Mathematics)
  • Robert H. Morris, department of chemistry at U of T (Developing Catalysts Based on Iron)
  • James Retallack, a professor of history and German studies at U of T (“The Workers’ Emperor”: August Bebel’s Struggle for Social Justice and Democratic Reform in Germany and the World, 1840-1913)
  • Adrian Shubert, department of history at York University (The General of Two Worlds: Baldomero Espartero, Empire, Nation and Liberalism in Spain and Latin America, 1793-1879)

David EstokDavid Estok was appointed to the new post of vice-president of communications at the University of Toronto. Mr. Estok has enjoyed a long career in higher education and media, most recently as vice-president, brand marketing and communications, with the SickKids Foundation. A journalism graduate of Carleton University, Mr. Estok was a reporter with the Hamilton Spectator before moving to senior editorial positions at the Financial Post and Maclean’s. In 1996, he became associate vice-president, communications and public affairs, at the University of Western Ontario, where he also taught courses in journalism and public affairs. He stunned many university communicators when he moved to the Spectator as editor-in-chief in 2007, ushering in a redesign and reorienting coverage towards local news. In 2010, he moved to his latest position at SickKids. His U of T appointment began March 9.

Sheldon LevySheldon Levy has been reappointed president of Ryerson University, an appointment that could last up to two years. Professor Levy was set to retire this summer following two five-year terms as president, but has agreed to stay on while the search for his successor continues. He was previously vice-president, finance and strategy, at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology; vice-president, government and institutional relations, at the University of Toronto; president of Sheridan College; and vice-president, institutional affairs, at York University.

Robert BoudreauThe University of Lethbridge tapped Robert (Bob) Boudreau as acting dean of the faculty of management. He will transition into the role on July 1. For the past six years, Dr. Boudreau has served as vice-provost and associate vice-president, academic. Over the course of his 32 years at the U of Lethbridge, he has held a variety of titles including professor, assistant dean, acting dean of graduate studies and assistant vice-president, academic.

Wayne Jones has been hired for a five-year term as university librarian for Carleton University’s MacOdrum Library, effective April 1. He served in the position on an interim basis since September 2014. Mr. Jones came to Carleton in 2011 as associate university librarian for collections and library development. Previously, he served as head of collection development and e-resource management at Queen’s University and had stints with libraries at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and with Library and Archives Canada.

Varzari_Janice_WEBThe University of Lethbridge has found its latest chancellor in Janice Varzari, a local businesswoman and health-care provider. Ms. Varzari is the first chancellor to be an alumnus of the institution. She graduated with a bachelor of nursing in 1990 and a master of education in 2002. In addition to her work as a nurse in hospitals, public health and mental health counselling, Ms. Varzari co-owns National Salvage Ltd. and National Holdings Ltd., and has served on the university’s senate and board of governors. She will be officially installed on May 28.

Gervais_France_WEBBishop’s University has appointed France Gervais vice-principal, finance and administration, effective April 7. Ms. Gervais joins Bishop’s with more than 20 years of professional experience, most recently as general manager of Bleu Lavande, a producer of health and wellness products and one of the largest lavender farms in Canada. Ms. Gervais is a Chartered Professional Accountant, and holds bachelor’s degrees in microbiology from the Université de Sherbrooke and in accounting from HEC Montréal.

Strong_Michael_WEB Michael Strong was reappointed dean of Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. His second term runs from July 1 of this year until June 30, 2021. Dr. Strong is a Distinguished University Professor at Western, the Arthur J. Hudson Chair in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research and a scientist at the Robarts Research Institute. From 2000 to 2010 he served as the chief of neurology and co-chair of the department of clinical neurological sciences at London Health Sciences Centre and Western.

Richardson_carole_WEBAfter serving as interim dean since 2013, Nipissing University has selected Carole Richardson to be the next dean of the Schulich School of Education. Her five-year term begins July 1. Dr. Richardson joined the school in 2000 after working as a school teacher for several years. She has served as chair of the junior/intermediate division in the faculty of education, has twice served as associate dean of the Schulich school and was the school’s acting dean from 2011 to 2012.

Ferrigan_Jason_WEBIn January, Jason Ferrigan joined Laurentian University as director of planning and capital projects. Mr. Ferrigan spent the previous seven years with the City of Greater Sudbury, most recently as senior planner, where he led strategic initiatives on downtown revitalization and preservation of agricultural lands. Mr. Ferrigan also worked as a planner in the Northeast Municipal Service Office of the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and as senior planner and associate with Toronto’s Urban Strategies, Inc.

Schryburt_Marc_WEBMarc Schryburt was named director of sports services at the University of Ottawa, effective March 30. Mr. Schryburt comes to the position with more than 25 years of experience in education, coaching and sports management. He began his career as a high school teacher and principal before transitioning into coaching work, which included six seasons as a football coach with McGill University and Université de Sherbrooke and stints as an occasional coach with the Canadian Football League. He was most recently chief operating officer and director of international programs for the Coaching Association of Canada.

Tuncali_Murat_WEBOn July 1, Murat Tuncali becomes dean of arts and sciences at Nipissing University for a five-year term. Dr. Tuncali has served as interim dean of the faculty since August 2014. A faculty member at Nipissing since 1991, Dr. Tuncali was assistant vice-president, research and graduate studies, from 2011 to 2014 and prior to that was chair of the department of computer science and mathematics for two terms.

McLellan_Anne_WEBFormer Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan was named Dalhousie University’s next chancellor. The politician, lawyer and academic will be officially installed at convocation on May 25. Ms. McLellan also served as Minister of Health, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Minister of Natural Resources and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. In 2009, she was appointed and Officer of the Order of Canada. Prior to her political career, Ms. McLellan was an assistant professor of law at the University of New Brunswick and dean of the faculty of law at the University of Alberta.

Cunningham_Bill_WEBBill Cunningham is the new chairperson of Simon Fraser University’s Board of Governors. The manager of commercial credit with TD Commercial Banking in Richmond, B.C., Mr. Cunningham has previously worked for TD Bank Group offices in Calgary and Burnaby, and was executive director for the Government of Canada’s Ministers’ regional office in Vancouver. Mr. Cunningham has previously been on the boards of the SFU Alumni Association and the Vancouver Society of Children’s Centres, among others.

Saini_Deep_WEBDeep Saini was reappointed vice-president and principal of University of Toronto Mississauga for a five-year term, effective July 1. Dr. Saini, a professor of biology specializing in plant physiology, joined UTM in 2010. He was previously dean of the faculty of environment at the University of Waterloo and director-general of the Plant Biology Research Institute at Université de Montréal.

Kelleher_Dermot_WEBThe University of British Columbia has tapped Dermot Kelleher to become the next dean of medicine. His five-year term will commence Sept. 1. Dr. Kelleher comes to UBC from Imperial College London, where he is vice-president of health and dean of the faculty of medicine. A specialist in gastroenterology, Dr. Kelleher is a founding fellow of the Irish Academy of Medical Sciences and president of the Federation of European Academies of Medicine.

Newman_Jonathan_WEBThe University of Guelph has appointed Jonathan Newman dean in the college of biological science. He will begin a five-year term on Aug. 1. Dr. Newman has been a professor of ecology with U of G since 2004 and has been the founding director of the school of environmental sciences since 2009. A member of the university’s board of governors, he has served as interim director of the U of G arboretum. Before moving to Guelph, Dr. Newman held faculty positions at Southern Illinois University and St. Peter’s College, University of Oxford.

Pinton_Dave_WEBDave Pinton is the new director of communications at the University of the Fraser Valley. Mr. Pinton spent six years at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, where he held several management positions within the department of media relations, marketing and communications. He began his career as a broadcast journalist with CTV in Vancouver and CityTV in Toronto and Vancouver. While at BCIT, Mr. Pinton also taught public relations and journalism at the college and at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Kuenhe_Valerie_WEBValerie Kuehne begins a five-year term as vice-president, academic, and provost of the University of Victoria on July 1, after acting in that capacity for a year. A professor in UVic’s school of child and youth care for 25 years, Dr. Kuehne has served as vice-president, external relations, director of child and youth care and as associate vice-president, academic planning. For the past nine years, she has been an instructor at the annual senior university administrators’ course, a professional development program for university leaders.

Kreber_Carolin_WEBCarolin Kreber will join Cape Breton University as dean of the school of professional studies Aug. 15. Dr. Kreber takes on the role after a decade as professor of higher education at the University of Edinburgh, where she is director of the Higher Education Research Group. Before that, she was a faculty member at the University of Alberta and a lecturer at Brock University and Niagara College. Her research focuses on adult and higher education, perspectives on professionalism and the application of social philosophy to education.

Rogers_Donna_WEBBrescia University College of Western University named Donna Rogers interim principal for a one-year term beginning July 1. Currently Brescia’s vice-principal and academic dean, Dr. Rogers is an historical linguist with a specialization in the literature and language of Catalonia. Before arriving at Brescia, Dr. Rogers served as associate dean, academic, in the faculty of arts and social sciences at Dalhousie University. She also taught at Pennsylvania State University, Queen’s University and Middlebury College in Vermont.

deane_patrick_WEBMcMaster University President Patrick Deane recently assumed the role of chair of the board of directors of the Canadian Bureau of International Education, a non-profit organization dedicated to the support and promotion of international education. The two-year term will see Dr. Deane promote internationalization, with a focus on encouraging students to become global citizens. Dr. Deane has been a member of CBIE’s board of directors since 2012 and president at McMaster since 2010.

Rossant_Janet_WEBJanet Rossant, University Professor in the department of medical genetics and microbiology at the University of Toronto, is the winner of the 2015 Canada Gairdner Wightman Award. One of the most prestigious research awards in Canada, it is given to a scientist who has demonstrated outstanding national leadership in medicine and medical science in Canada. Dr. Rossant was recognized March 25 for her extensive scientific contributions to developmental biology, her international leadership in stem cell biology and policy-making, and her pivotal role in advancing research programs for children’s health. She has 379 publications to her name during her 40-year career, including more than 58,000 lifetime citations, and has trained 56 postdoctoral fellows and 27 graduate students.

Andrey_Jean_WEBOn July 1, Jean Andrey begins her tenure as the new dean of the faculty of environment at the University of Waterloo for a five-year term. Dr. Andrey has been a professor of geography and environmental management at the university for more than 25 years. She is past-president of the Canadian Association of Geographers and a winner of the Women of Waterloo Region (WOW) award.

Rush_James_WEBJames Rush has been appointed dean of the faculty applied health sciences at the University of Waterloo for a five-year term that begins July 1. Dr. Rush served as associate dean of the faculty and as a department chair for six years before becoming interim dean. A pioneering researcher, he joined Waterloo as a professor in the department of kinesiology in 2000 and held a Canada Research Chair in Integrative Vascular Biology.

Charlotte Yates, Dean of Social Sciences at McMaster UniversityCharlotte Yates has been named provost and vice-president, academic, at the University of Guelph. Her five-year term begins Aug. 1. She comes to U of G from McMaster University, where she has been dean of the faculty of social sciences for seven years and a professor of political science and labour studies since 1987. Her areas of research include unions, the automotive industry in Canada and labour markets and work, and labour activism.

Campbell_Malcolm_WEBThe University of Guelph appointed Malcolm Campbell vice-president, research, effective June 1. Dr. Campbell is an alumnus of U of G and takes on the position after serving for five years as vice-principal, research, at University of Toronto Scarborough, where he bolstered the school’s research platform during a period of major institutional development. A genome biologist, Dr. Campbell was a faculty member at the University of Oxford from 1996 to 2004 and, from 2004-2009, a professor of cell and systems biology at the University of Toronto.

Malloy_David_WEBDavid Malloy was appointed to a five-year term as vice-president, research, at the University of Regina, starting July 1. Dr. Malloy most recently served as interim vice-president, research, and is the principal investigator for the International Healthcare Ethics Research Team at the university. He also served as the associate dean in the faculty of graduate studies and research, and in the faculty of kinesiology and health studies as the assistant dean.

Denburg_Susan_WEBSusan Denburg was named acting provost and vice-president, academic, at the McMaster University from July 1 to Dec. 31 while the incumbent, David Wilkinson, is on research leave. Dr. Denburg is McMaster’s associate vice-president, academic, in the faculty of health sciences and a professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioural neuroscience.

Barber_Tene_WEBTene Barber has been appointed executive director, continuing studies, at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Ms. Barber previously served as dean of continuing education and contract training at Vancouver Community College. The majority of her career has been focused on design, media and communication education.

Cadigan_Sean_WEBSean Cadigan was appointed associate vice-president, academic and faculty affairs, pro tempore, at Memorial University. The appointment is effective May 4 and will continue until the search for a permanent replacement has been successfully completed, or until Dec. 31, 2015. Dr. Cadigan has been a professor in Memorial’s department of history since 2001 and previously served as head of the department.

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