Faculty of Science Research Chair Awards

Curiosity-driven and applied research are at the forefront of the Faculty’s activities. Several faculty members hold research and endowed chairs, strengthening McMaster’s reputation as one of Canada’s top research universities and building knowledge for our communities.

Canada Research Chairs

The Faculty currently holds 17 Canada Research Chairs, the Government of Canada’s funded research professorships. They are given to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds. Our Chairs span the spectrum of research from applications in mathematical analysis to aquatic studies in environment and health.

Name	Title
Paul Ayers (2017)	Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Chemistry
John D Brennan (2012)	Canada Research Chair in Bioanalytical Chemistry
Blaise Bourdin (2022)	Canada Research Chair in Mathematical and Computational Aspects of Solid Mechanics
Katrina Choe (2021)	Canada Research Chair in Integrative Neurobiology of Social Behaviour
Alemu Gonsamo (2020)	Canada Research Chair in Remote Sensing of Terrestrial Ecosystems
Megumi Harada (2013)	Canada Research Chair in Equivariant Symplectic and Algebraic Geometry
Jennifer Heisz (2020)	Canada Research Chair in Brain Health and Aging
Gita Ljubicic (2020)	Canada Research Chair in Community-Engaged Research for Northern Sustainability
Vladimir Ljubicic (2017)	Canada Research Chair in Neuromuscular Plasticity in Health and Disease
Paul McNicholas (2017)	Canada Research Chair in Computational Statistics
Carmel Mothersill	Canada Research Chair in Radiobiology
Stuart Phillips (2017)	Canada Research Chair in Human Skeletal Muscle Health in Aging
Graham Scott	Canada Research Chair in Comparative and Environmental Physiology
Sarah Styler (2021)	Canada Research Chair in Atmospheric Chemistry
James Michael Waddington (2017)	Canada Research Chair in Ecohydrology
Christine D. Wilson (2017)	Canada Research Chair in Extragalactic Star Formation
Gabriel (Naiqi) Xiao (2020)	Canada Research Chair in Perceptual Development

Funded And Endowed Research Chairs

The Faculty also hosts a number of funded and endowed research chairs.

Name	Affiliation	Title
Ian Hambleton	Mathematics & Statistics	Dr. F. Ronald and Helen E. Britton Professor of Mathematics
Eric Sawyer	Mathematics & Statistics	McKay Chair in Mathematics
Bruce Gaulin	Physics & Astronomy	Brockhouse Chair in the Physics of Materials
Janok Bhattacharya	Earth, Environment & Society*	Susan Cunningham Research Chair in Geology
Karen Kidd	Biology, and Earth, Environment & Society*	Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair in Environment and Health
Elli Papangelakis	Earth, Environment & Society*	Fairley Gadsby Research Chair in Fluvial Geomorphology

*Note: The School of Geography & Earth Sciences changed its name to the School of Earth, Environment & Society in July 2020.

Faculty Of Science Research Chairs

In 2018, the Faculty created the first Faculty of Science Research Chairs to recognize colleagues for their outstanding achievements.

Name	Affiliation	Title
Jianping (JP) Xu (2023)	Biology	Science Research Chair in Understanding Fungal Threats to Humans
Pat Chow-Fraser (2023)	Biology	Science Research Chair in Great Lakes Ecosystem Health Indicators
Sigal Balshine (2023)	Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour	Science Research Chair in Aquatic Behaviour Ecology
Graeme Luke (2022)	Physics & Astronomy	Science Research Chair in Quantum Condensed Matter Physics
Jonathan Dushoff (2022)	Biology	Science Research Chair in Forecasting Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Paulin Coulibaly (2022)	Earth, Environment & Society*	Science Research Chair in Hydroclimatic Modelling
Marie Elliot (2021)	Biology	Science Research Chair in Microbial Development and Natural Product Control
David Earn (2021)	Mathematics & Statistics	Science Research Chair in Mathematical Epidemiology
Altaf Arain (2021)	Earth, Environment & Society*	Science Research Chair in Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change
Louis Schmidt (2020)	Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour	Science Research Chair in Early Determinants of Mental Health
Gillian Goward (2020)	Chemistry & Chemical Biology	Science Research Chair in Magnetic Resonance in Materials for Energy Storage
Martin Gibala (2020)	Kinesiology	Science Research Chair in Integrative Exercise Physiology
Allison Williams (2019)	Earth, Environment & Society*	Science Research Chair in Carer Friendly Workplaces
Kari Dalnoki-Veress (2019)	Physics & Astronomy	Science Research Chair in Experimental Soft Condensed Matter Physics
Michael Brook (2019)	Chemistry & Chemical Biology	Science Research Chair in Sustainable Silicone Polymers

*Note: The School of Geography & Earth Sciences changed its name to the School of Earth, Environment & Society in July 2020.