Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs brings three world-leading researchers to UBC Science

The Faculty of Science has recruited three of the nine newly announced Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs at UBC, a federal push to attract top talent from around the world and support cutting-edge research to help all Canadians.

With expertise in statistics, oceans and fisheries, and microbiology and immunology respectively, Drs. Jonathan Wakefield, Julian Olden and Curtis Huttenhower will help strengthen UBC and Canada’s research capacity, train future talent and drive innovation in areas critical to global competitiveness.

Dr. Jonathan Wakefield, Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair in Bayesian Space Time Modeling for Global Health

Current Institution: Professor of Statistics and Biostatistics, University of Washington

Dr. Wakefield’s work is advancing the pursuit of equitable access to health and resources. He is an internationally recognized statistician whose methodological innovations and global health applications have transformed how countries and agencies such as the UN and World Health Organization estimate mortality, disease burden and health and demographic indicators, particularly in low and middle-income countries. He will be joining the faculty of science in September.

“To know that the Canadian government believes in global health research, and is willing to support this work to such a large extent, is extremely encouraging and will allow me to greatly expand my research program by engaging and providing support to researchers and government officials in low and middle-income countries,” Dr. Wakefield said.

Dr. Julian Olden, Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair in Freshwater Ecosystem Sustainability

Current Institution: Professor in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington

Dr. Olden is an international authority in freshwater science whose work helps communities and decision-makers anticipate climate-driven changes, protect freshwater ecosystems and manage water resources more sustainably.

“Water, food and energy security are cornerstones of a sustainable and prosperous future in Canada,” said Dr. Olden. “By addressing persistent and emerging challenges in water security, my research program offers novel and integrated pathways to advancing freshwater sustainability in Canada that bridges academia, policy, industry and Indigenous knowledge systems.

Dr. Olden will be cross-appointed in the faculty of forestry and environmental stewardship, and the faculty of science starting in summer 2027.

Dr. Curtis Huttenhower, Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair in Microbiome Sciences

Current Institution: Professor of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Harvard University

Dr. Huttenhower is a global leader in using computational methods to study the functions and biological activities of microbial communities, and 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. The computational tools his group developed are used by thousands of labs worldwide.

“My research program aims to take what we have learned about our ubiquitous microbial surroundings and build it into interventions that can be deployed and used,” Dr. Huttenhower said. “All science takes a village, and microbiome science more than most. That's why I am excited to launch the Microanthrome Systems & Engineering Center (MSEC) at UBC—a shared home for the people, platforms and training this work needs, from basic discovery through to building things that reach the public.”

Dr. Huttenhower will be joining the school of biomedical engineering and faculty of science at UBC Vancouver in summer 2027.