UBC Applied Science welcomes three world-leading researchers through Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada program (Phase 1)
Three world-leading researchers will join UBC Faculty of Applied Science-affiliated programs 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 today 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.
“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 Applied Science chairs’ research programs, embedded in Chemical and Biological, Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering, will address some of today’s most pressing challenges: developing more precise ways to diagnose and treat disease and understanding how digital technologies and artificial intelligence are reshaping democratic societies.
"We are thrilled to welcome three exceptional research leaders whose expertise and vision will accelerate our impact at the intersection of human-centered design and transformative technology.” said UBC Applied Science Dean, Dr. James Olson. “In our Faculty, we are tackling society's most complex challenges and having Dr. Huttenhower, Dr. Saitou and Dr. Whitehead join us to lead projects in these vital areas will help our community build a smarter, healthier and more resilient future.”
Developing the next generation of health technologies and treatments
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.
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.
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
