UBC Science Gains Research Muscle in Evolutionary Theory, Math

Research into evolutionary theory, math and economics will get a boost at UBC Science with the appointment of two new and one renewed Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) within the Faculty.

The appointments are among 12 new or renewed chairs just announced at UBC, part of a fresh round of 187 federally-funded research positions representing a total investment of $165.5 million. Two of the University's three new CRCs are within UBC Science.

"The Canada Research Chairs program has helped to transform university research at UBC and across Canada," says John Hepburn, Vice President Research and International at UBC.

"Chairholders in all disciplines have conducted excellent research, creating new discoveries and generating new knowledge to improve the quality of life of Canadians."

Sarah Otto, a professor of Zoology and Director of the Biodiversity Research Centre, is the new Canada Research Chair in Theoretical and Experimental Evolution. Her research uses mathematical, experimental, and genomic tools to understand evolution.

Sujatha Ramdorai, a professor in the Department of Mathematics, is the new Canada Research Chair in Mathematics. Her research focuses on arithmetic, geometry and algebraic number theory.

Ivar Ekeland, jointly appointed to the departments of Mathematics and Economics, has been renewed as Canada Research Chair in Mathematical Economics. Using optimization theory and classical mechanics, he develops solutions to mathematical problems arising in economics, finance and economics modeling.

UBC other's CRC appointments include Christian Naus, Director of the Life Sciences Institute, who was renewed as Canada Research Chair in Gap Junctions and Disease. Naus is a leading expert on the role that intercellular channels play in the developing brain and in disease processes.

The federally funded research chairs are designed to build Canada’s research capacity. An investment of $900 million will support the establishment of 2,000 Chairs at universities across the country.

The three new and nine renewals at UBC are valued at $11.4 million, and bring UBC's total number of Canada Research Chairs to 175, the second largest complement of CRC appointments at any university in the country.

Canada Research Chairs