Six UBC Applied Science experts announced as Canada Research Chairs
Innovative and impactful work by six UBC Faculty of Applied Science experts has been recognized with their appointment or renewal as Canada Research Chairs. They are among 14 UBC chairs announced on May 13, 2026.
The Canada Research Chairs program supports research excellence in engineering and the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences at Canadian postsecondary institutions. Up to $311 million is invested annually.
UBC received an investment of $10.7 million in this round of appointments.
Materials Engineering Assistant Professor Dr. Kiana Amini was named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Electrochemical Systems for Energy Storage and Carbon Capture. Her research leverages electrochemistry to develop devices that help the transition to cleaner energy use, with a focus on redox flow batteries, systems for carbon dioxide capture and lithium extraction.
Also in Materials Engineering, Professor Dr. Ben Britton was named a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Multiscale Correlative Electron Microscopy. Dr. Britton’s research focuses on developing understanding of microstructure and advanced characterization techniques, and he is a specialist in understanding deformation, microstructure and in electron microscopy.
Dr. Farinaz Havaei, associate professor with the School of Nursing, was named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Strengthening the Health System. Her research addresses workplace psychological health and the safety of nurses in the healthcare system, with a focus on the long-term care sector.
School of Biomedical Engineering Assistant Professor Dr. Yanpu He was named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Immuno-Bioengineering. Though his research in protein and cellular engineering, he develops immunotherapies for cancer, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, Dr. Wang received funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) to support his work in bioinspired immunotherapies.
Dr. Lele Wang, associate professor with Electrical and Computer Engineering, was named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Trustworthy Information Systems. Her research focuses on the information-theoretic approach to data science and machine learning. Dr. Wang also received funding from the CFI JELF for her project investigating digital privacy and cybersecurity.
Civil Engineering Professor Dr. Tarek Sayed renewed his Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Transportation Safety and Advanced Mobility. Dr. Sayed’s work in transportation engineering is focused on road safety analysis techniques, safety implications of traffic operations and highway design, and the development of Intelligent Transportation Systems to increase traffic efficiency.
Tier 1 Chairs are tenable for seven years and receive $200,000 annually. Tier 2 Chairs, given to emerging researchers, are for five years and receive $100,000 annually.
