Professor Anne Condon--internationally recognized for her research in complexity theory and bioinformatics, and a leading Canadian proponent for women in science and technology--has been appointed Head of UBC's Department of Computer Science.
"Anne has made many outstanding contributions to the Department, the Faculty and the University since joining UBC in 1999," says Simon Peacock, Dean of Science. "These include serving as our Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Strategic Initiatives for the past three years, and also her leadership at the UBC level to advance issues related to diversity and equity in academia."
Condon's four-year term begins July 1, 2011--Professor Gail Murphy will serve as Acting Department Head in the interim.
"UBC Computer Science is a wonderfully vibrant and collegial community," says Condon. "It will be a privilege to lead our department at a time when computing education and research are broadly relevant to so many disciplines and areas of human endeavour."
From 2004 to 2009, Condon held the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council-General Motors Canada Chair for Women in Science and Engineering for BC and the Yukon. With the chair came the responsibility to help increase the participation and success of girls and women in the physical sciences and engineering at all levels of the pipeline in the province.
Earlier this year she was awarded the Computing Research Association Nico Habermann Award for her "long standing and impactful service toward the goal of increasing the participation of women in computer science research".
"We're going to miss Anne's leadership here in the Dean's office, but take comfort in knowing that we'll be continuing to work with her in the future," notes Peacock. "I'd also like to express my sincere thanks to Bill Aiello for his outstanding stewardship and development of this very dynamic department over the past five years."
The Computer Science Head Search Committee consisted of Giuseppe Carenini, Paul Carter, Patrick Colp, Moyra Ditchfield, Rachel Kuske, Joanna McGrenere, Jre Sarenac and Bob Woodham.
Biography
Condon received her BSc degree (1982) in Mathematics and Computer Science at University College Cork, Ireland and her PhD (1987) from the University of Washington, Seattle. Prior to her appointment at UBC, she was a faculty member of the Computer Sciences Department at the University of Wisconsin.
Awards
University College Cork Distinguished Alumna Award (2001) National Science Foundation National Young Investigator Award (1992) University College Cork Distinguished Alfrom (1987-1999) Association for Computing Machinery Distinguished Dissertation Award (1988)
