I am pleased to announce that the UBC Board of Governors has accepted the President's recommendation to appoint Dr. Mark MacLachlan as Dean of the Faculty of Science for a five-year term, commencing April 1, 2025.
Dr. MacLachlan, Professor of Chemistry and Canada Research Chair in Supramolecular Materials, has served as Dean pro tem for the Faculty of Science since January 1, 2024.
During his time as Dean pro tem, Dr. MacLachlan oversaw the expansion of SCIE 113 to all incoming Science students, a revamp of the Environmental Sciences program, creation of a new Dean’s Advisory Committee for Undergraduate Student Issues, and the launch of an Indigenous Advisory Council. He has focused on enhancing the research ecosystem, a key pillar of UBC Science’s strategic plan, “Improving our World Through Science.”
Dr. MacLachlan completed his BSc degree at UBC in Honours Chemistry (1995), then a PhD in inorganic materials chemistry at the University of Toronto (1999). Following a post-doctoral fellowship at MIT, he returned to UBC as an Assistant Professor in 2001.
Dr. MacLachlan has published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles on topics spanning inorganic, organic, and materials chemistry. His lab works to develop new organic and inorganic molecules and materials with potential applications in electronics, photonics, decoration, and catalysis. Some projects are aimed at combating environmental problems or improving alternative energy applications, such as solar energy conversion and hydrogen fuel cells.
From 2014-2021, Dr. MacLachlan directed the NSERC CREATE Training Program in Nanomaterials Science and Technology. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and has received the E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship, the Steacie Prize, the Killam Award for Excellence in Mentoring and a Killam Teaching Prize. He served as Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Science from 2016 to his appointment as Dean pro tem.
I would like to acknowledge the President's Advisory Committee members for their commitment throughout the search process. I also extend my thanks to faculty, students and staff for actively participating in the search process and providing valuable feedback to the committee.
It became clear throughout the search process that Dr. MacLachlan commands widespread respect and affection from his colleagues in the Faculty as well as from his fellow deans. I look forward to working with him to continue the upward arc of the Faculty of Science. Please join me in congratulating Dr. MacLachlan on his appointment.
Gage Averill
Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver