I am pleased to announce the appointment of Rachel Fernandez as Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation, effective March 15, 2021.
Rachel will be joining me and our Associate Vice-Presidents, Research and Innovation, Matthew Evenden and Phil Barker (who is also Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation at UBC Okanagan), in sharing the leadership of the diverse range of portfolio units and initiatives that support UBC’s research and innovation activities. She will be taking over from Helen Burt in this role following Helen’s retirement in February next year.
Rachel is a professor in UBC’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology whose research focuses on bacterial surfaces, vaccines and the bacterium causing pertussis (whooping cough). She joined UBC in 1996 and has contributed to the university’s research and teaching missions in many ways, including serving two terms as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. We are excited that Rachel has agreed to bring her strategic leadership and passion for supporting our research and scholarly community to the Associate Vice-President position.
Please join me in extending congratulations and welcoming Rachel to the role.
Gail Murphy
Vice-President, Research & Innovation