Leadership transition in the Faculty of Science
I would like to announce that Dr. Mark MacLachlan has been appointed Dean pro tem of the Faculty of Science effective January 1, 2024, replacing Dr. Meigan Aronson at the completion of her term.
Dr. MacLachlan has served as Associate Dean Research and Graduate Studies in the Faculty since 2016, and has been reappointed to that position following his pro tem term as dean. Dr. MacLachlan is a professor of Chemistry, working on materials chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, nanomaterials, and cellulose, with the MacLachlan lab developing new organic and inorganic molecules and materials with interesting properties with potential applications in electronics, photonics, catalysis, and other areas. Over his tenure as Associate Dean, he launched STAIR, a collaborative, interdisciplinary research grant program within the Faculty, as well as new support for visiting early career scholars from underrepresented groups. He has held a Canada Research Chair and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Dr. Aronson’s term as current Dean concludes on December 31, 2023. On behalf of the university, I would like to thank Dr. Aronson for her steady leadership and for the key role she has played in the many successes and achievements of the Faculty of Science over the past five years.
During Dr. Aronson’s term as Dean, more than 100 new faculty have joined the Faculty of Science, substantially increasing diversity. The Faculty of Science advanced three interdisciplinary hiring clusters in strategically key areas (Biodiversity, AI, and Pandemic Preparedness) using the President’s Academic Enhancement Initiative (PAEI) funds, as well a Black Faculty Hiring Cluster Hire in Environmental Computation and another in Food Sustainability. Dr. Aronson also led the development of a new strategic plan (Improving Our World through Science) for the Faculty and provided strong leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am grateful to Dr. Aronson for her leadership and many contributions to the university, and I wish her the best in her future endeavors. The search for a new Dean for the Faculty of Science will launch in 2024.
Gage Averill
Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver