Three professors appointed Faculty of Science Research Chairs
(From left to right) Sigal Balshine, a professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, and Pat Chow-Fraser and Jianping (JP) Xu, professors in the Department of Biology.
BY Jay Robb
March 7, 2023
Professors Sigal Balshine, Pat Chow-Fraser and Jianping (JP) Xu have been appointed 2023 Faculty of Science Research Chairs.
Balshine, a professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, is the Faculty of Science Research Chair in Aquatic Behaviour Ecology.
Chow-Fraser, a professor in the Department of Biology, is the Faculty of Science Research Chair in Great Lakes Ecosystem Health Indicators.
Xu, also a professor in the Department of Biology, is the Faculty of Science Research Chair in Understanding Fungal Threats to Humans.
“We’re proud to recognize Sigal, Pat and JP as our newest Faculty of Science Research Chairs,” says Dean Maureen MacDonald.
“Sigal, Pat and JP are exceptional researchers, supervisors, collaborators and colleagues who are helping transform our world through science.”
Introduced in 2019, the annual peer-nominated and selected Faculty of Science Research Chair program recognizes research excellence and outstanding contributions by faculty members in Science’s eight departments and schools. Fifteen professors have been appointed during the past five years. The appointments include funding to support the professors’ research groups.
Nominations were reviewed by biology professor and Canada Research Chair in Radiobiology Carmel Mothersill; kinesiology associate professor and Canada Research Chair in Brain Health and Aging Jennifer Heisz, and School of Earth, Environment & Society professor Altaf Arain, who is the Faculty of Science Research Chair in Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change.
The committee was chaired by Associate Dean, Research & External Relations, Juliet Daniel. “Our review committee was highly impressed with the calibre of all the nominees who are outstanding scholars and researchers, and we wish them all continued success,” says Daniel.
The 2023 appointments were announced during a February 28th ceremony. Professors Altaf Arain, Paulin Coulibaly, Jonathan Dushoff, David Earn, Marie Elliot and Graeme Luke were also recognized as 2021 and 2022 Faculty of Science Research Chairs after COVID forced the cancellation of the 2021 and 2022 ceremonies.
