Chairs & Scholars

The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science leverages research chairs and scholars to attract and retain top-tier international talent. Our primary focus is on fostering research excellence and training future scientific researchers.
Chemistry professor Isaac Li in lab

Isaac Li

Canada Research Chairs

The federally funded Canada Research Chair program, launched in 2000, provides support in building Canada’s research capacity.


Canada Research Chair in Wildlife Restoration Ecology (Tier 2 – NSERC)

ADAM FORD

Associate Professor | Biology


Canada Research Chair in Single-Molecule Biophysics & Mechanobiology (Tier 2 – NSERC)

ISAAC LI

Assistant Professor | Chemistry


Canada Research Chair in Nutrition & Energy Metabolism in Chronic Disease  (Tier 2 – CIHR)

SARAH PURCELL

Assistant Professor | Biology


Principal’s Research Chairs

The Principal’s Research Chairs (PRC) program provides internal funding support for top-tier researchers engaged in outstanding research or creative scholarship.


Ubiquitous Analytics (Tier 1)

POURANG IRANI

Professor | Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics & Statistics


Tectonics (Tier 1)

KYLE LARSON

Professor | Earth, Environmental & Geographic Sciences


Computational Chemistry (Tier 1)

ROBERT SZILAGYI

Associate Professor | Chemistry


Endowed and Industrial Chairs


NSERC/Egg Farmers of Canada Industrial Research Chair (IRC) in Sustainability 

NATHAN PELLETIER

Associate Professor | Biology


Endowed Research Chairs in Watershed Management (Forest Renewal BC – FRBC)

ADAM WEI

Professor | Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences

DAVID SCOTT

Associate Professor | Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences


Michael Smith Health Research BC’s Scholars


Michael Smith HRBC Scholar in Mucus-Directed Therapeutics for Chronic Microbiota-Dependent Diseases of the Gut 

KIRK BERGSTROM

Assistant Professor | Biology


Michael Smith HRBC Scholar in Plant-Based Anticancer Drugs 

THU-THUY DANG

Assistant Professor | Chemistry


Michael Smith HRBC Scholar in Evaluating Microstructural Changes in Multiple Sclerosis with Magnetic Resonance Imaging

REBECCA FELDMAN

Assistant Professor | Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics


Michael Smith HRBC Scholar in Molecular Tools for Monitoring & Controlling the Mechanobiology of Diseases 

ISAAC LI

Assistant Professor | Chemistry


Research Highlights

Thuy Thuy DangThu-Thuy Dang, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, examines sustainable drug production while looking for anti-cancer compounds. Learn more.

Adam FordAdam Ford, Associate Professor of Biology, is generating a deeper understanding of why sheep populations are in decline. Learn more.

Isaac LiIsaac Li, Assistant Professor of Chemistry says research could lead to new disease treatment strategies. Learn more.

Pourang IraniPourang Irani, Professor of Computer Science researches the considerations for end-user comfort in the design of in-situ user interfaces. Learn more.

Nathan PelletierNathan Pelletier, Associate Professor of Biology, is ramping up his research on food-system sustainability issues. Learn more.

David ScottDavid Scott, Associate Professor of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences works to understand processes that allow us to manage the future of forests and water resources.” Learn more.

Adam WeiAdam Wei, Professor of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences recommends a systematic approach to forest and water supply management. Learn more.