Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Research Chairs

Faculty of Science Research Chairs

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 Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Chemistry
John D Brennan Canada Research Chair in Bioanalytical Chemistry
Blaise Bourdin Canada Research Chair in Mathematical and Computational Aspects of Solid Mechanics
Katrina Choe Canada Research Chair in Integrative Neurobiology of Social Behaviour
Alemu Gonsamo Canada Research Chair in Remote Sensing of Terrestrial Ecosystems
Megumi Harada Canada Research Chair in Equivariant Symplectic and Algebraic Geometry
Jennifer Heisz Canada Research Chair in Brain Health and Aging
Gita Ljubicic Canada Research Chair in Community-Engaged Research for Northern Sustainability
Vladimir Ljubicic Canada Research Chair in Neuromuscular Plasticity in Health and Disease
Paul McNicholas Canada Research Chair in Computational Statistics
Carmel Mothersill Canada Research Chair in Radiobiology
Stuart Phillips Canada Research Chair in Human Skeletal Muscle Health in Aging
Graham Scott Canada Research Chair in Comparative and Environmental Physiology
Sarah Styler Canada Research Chair in Atmospheric Chemistry
James Michael Waddington Canada Research Chair in Ecohydrology
Christine D. Wilson Canada Research Chair in Extragalactic Star Formation
Gabriel (Naiqi) Xiao 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
Michael Brook (2019) Chemistry & Chemical Biology Science Research Chair in Sustainable Silicone Polymers
Kari Dalnoki-Veress (2019) Physics & Astronomy Science Research Chair in Experimental Soft Condensed Matter Physics
Allison Williams (2019) Earth, Environment & Society* Science Research Chair in Carer Friendly Workplaces
Martin Gibala (2020) Kinesiology Science Research Chair in Integrative Exercise Physiology
Gillian Goward (2020) Chemistry & Chemical Biology Science Research Chair in Magnetic Resonance in Materials for Energy Storage
Louis Schmidt (2020) Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour Science Research Chair in Early Determinants of Mental Health
Altaf Arain (2021) Earth, Environment & Society* Science Research Chair in Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change
David Earn (2021) Mathematics & Statistics Science Research Chair in Mathematical Epidemiology
Marie Elliot (2021) Biology Science Research Chair in Microbial Development and Natural Product Control
Paulin Coulibaly (2022) Earth, Environment & Society* Science Research Chair in Hydroclimatic Modelling
Jonathan Dushoff (2022) Biology Science Research Chair in Forecasting Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Graeme Luke (2022) Physics & Astronomy Science Research Chair in Quantum Condensed Matter Physics
Sigal Balshine (2023) Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour Science Research Chair in Aquatic Behaviour Ecology
Pat Chow-Fraser (2023) Biology Science Research Chair in Great Lakes Ecosystem Health Indicators
Jianping (JP) Xu Biology Science Research Chair in Understanding Fungal Threats to Humans

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