Nine world-leading researchers will join the University of British Columbia as part of the inaugural cohort of the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada program. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry, announced the new chairs on August 27 at UBC.
As part of the $1.7-billion federal Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative launched last December, the program is providing $1 billion over 12 years to help Canadian post-secondary institutions recruit exceptional international and expatriate Canadian researchers. Chairholders will lead transformational research projects and build partnerships with industry, government, non-profit and other organizations to generate tangible impacts in addressing critical national and global challenges.
UBC will welcome nine of the 64 chairs announced in the program's first round -- eight at UBC Vancouver and one at UBC Okanagan. Two of the UBC chairs are Canadians who will be returning home, and one is a UBC alumnus. They will take up their appointments over the next year, with the first two starting in September. A second intake of chairs will be announced later this fall.
"UBC's global reputation for research that advances knowledge and improves lives makes it a destination for leading scholars from around the world," said UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon. "We are delighted to welcome these nine exceptional researchers, whose work will have important and meaningful impact in research areas vital to the future of British Columbia, Canada and the world. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for this timely and significant investment."
The UBC chairs' research programs will address some of today's most pressing challenges: developing more precise ways to diagnose and treat disease; designing lighter, more efficient and sustainable products and systems; protecting freshwater ecosystems; understanding how digital technologies and artificial intelligence are reshaping democratic societies; and strengthening wildfire preparedness.
"The wildfires experienced this summer in the Okanagan, across Canada and around the world underscore the urgent need to better understand, prepare for and coexist with fire," said UBC Okanagan Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lesley Cormack. "With support from the Government of Canada, our new chair will further strengthen UBC's world-leading wildfire expertise and build on the important work already underway at UBC Okanagan to help communities become more resilient."
Developing the next generation of health technologies and treatments
For Dr. Peter Caravan, the appointment as Eddie Goldenberg Distinguished Research Chair of Canada in Translational Molecular Imaging and Therapy marks a homecoming. A Canadian citizen, he earned his PhD at UBC before going on to become a world-leading molecular imaging scientist whose work has transformed targeted imaging and theranostics -- an approach that combines diagnostic imaging with targeted treatment. Currently Harvard Medical School professor of radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Caravan focuses on the design of molecular probes for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), understanding how these probes work in the body, and translating them into more precise tools that can be used for diagnosing and treating disease. He will be joining the faculty of pharmaceutical sciences at UBC Vancouver in summer 2027.
Dr. Brian Kuhlman, Eddie Goldenberg Distinguished Research Chair of Canada in Computational Protein Design, is a leading authority in the use of computer modelling to create proteins with specific properties and functions. Currently a professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Kuhlman has been instrumental in transforming the field of protein design from a largely theoretical idea into an established scientific discipline with applications across health, biotechnology and other fields. He will be joining the faculty of medicine at UBC Vancouver in spring 2027.
Dr. Kathryn Whitehead, Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Translational Drug Delivery, is a leading figure in lipid nanoparticle drug delivery, a field that has rapidly grown since its use in the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines. Currently a professor of chemical engineering and biomedical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, Dr. Whitehead develops materials that transport fragile therapeutic molecules to specific cells and organs, accelerating technologies that could expand the use of RNA and other emerging treatments beyond their breakthrough application in COVID-19 vaccines. She will be joining the faculty of applied science and school of biomedical engineering at UBC Vancouver in summer 2027.
Strengthening democracy in the digital age
Dr. Daniel Kreiss, Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Democratic Communication, studies how digital technologies shape political communication, influence public discourse and affect the resilience of democratic societies. By bringing his findings to policymakers, industry and the public, his work helps inform decisions about social media, artificial intelligence and the technology platforms increasingly shaping public life. Dr. Kreiss, currently a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will be joining UBC Vancouver's faculty of arts in summer 2027.
Advancing wildfire resilience and water security
Dr. Crystal Kolden, Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Wildfire Resilience, is joining the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science at UBC Okanagan in September. Dr. Kolden is a world-leading scholar in pyrogeography -- the study of fire and its relationship to climate, vegetation and human activity. Drawing on experience as a wildland firefighter and federal land manager, she connects wildfire science with fire management, public policy and community needs to reshape how societies understand, prepare for and coexist with wildfire. Before joining UBC, Dr. Kolden was a professor at the University of California, Merced.
Dr. Julian Olden, Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Freshwater Ecosystem Sustainability, is an international authority in freshwater science. Currently a professor at the University of Washington, Dr. Olden generates practical knowledge to address persistent and emerging threats to water security. His work helps communities and decision-makers anticipate climate-driven changes, protect freshwater ecosystems and manage water resources more sustainably. Dr. Olden will be cross-appointed in the faculty of forestry and environmental stewardship, and the faculty of science at UBC Vancouver starting in summer 2027.
Harnessing data to improve health at every scale
Dr. Curtis Huttenhower, Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Microbiome Sciences, is a global leader in computational microbiome research whose tools are used by thousands of laboratories worldwide. Currently a professor of computational biology and bioinformatics at Harvard University, Dr. Huttenhower has helped move the field beyond identifying which microbes live in and on the human body to understanding how they function, influence health and contribute to disease. He will be joining the school of biomedical engineering and faculty of science at UBC Vancouver in summer 2027.
Dr. Jonathan Wakefield, Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Bayesian Space Time Modeling for Global Health, is joining UBC Vancouver's faculty of science in September. He is an internationally recognized statistician whose methodological innovations have transformed how countries and agencies, like the United Nations and the World Health Organization, estimate mortality, disease burden and other health and demographic indicators. His work helps to support better decisions about equitable access to health and resources, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Before joining UBC, Dr. Wakefield was a professor at the University of Washington.
Reimagining engineering design through artificial intelligence
Dr. Kazuhiro Saitou, Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Engineering Design, is a visionary leader in computational design for mechanical products and systems. Currently a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan, Dr. Saitou combines human creativity with mathematical models, optimization and artificial intelligence to advance the science and practice of engineering design -- reshaping how the world conceives, optimizes and manufactures innovative products with meaningful impact for society and humanity. His expertise in computational design and artificial intelligence, as well as manufacturing and assembly, provides new opportunities for the creation of efficient, lightweight, high-performance and sustainable engineering solutions with broad applications in fields such as aerospace, transportation, biomanufacturing and clean technology. He will join the faculty of applied science in the summer of 2027.
"The Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada represent an extraordinary opportunity for Canada to connect world-leading fundamental research with translation and societal impact, turning discovery into innovations that improve lives, strengthen our economy and benefit Canadians," said Vice-President, Research and Innovation Dr. Peter Zandstra.
With today's announcement, UBC also now has an opportunity to recruit nine international early-career researchers for the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders award, who will work in the same strategic priority areas as its Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada.
Read more about UBC's inaugural cohort of Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada here: https://research.ubc.ca/eddie-goldenberg-chairs
