Five new appointments as Board of Governors Research Chairs highlight the exceptional scholarly work of a diverse cadre of professors at the University of Lethbridge.

“I am pleased to announce these appointments as Board of Governors Research Chairs,” says Dr. Erasmus Okine, vice-president (research). “Each one of these individuals is recognized as an outstanding scholar who has made an impact on his or her field of study. These high-profile academic appointments continue to play a vital role in helping us enhance our reputation and status amongst Canada’s most influential research institutions.”

Dr. Paul Hayes, a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, has been appointed to a five-year term as a Tier I Board of Governors Research Chair in Organometallic Chemistry. He is a leader in the field of synthetic inorganic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis, particularly in the development of new catalysts that generate green materials and those that provide insight into industrially relevant processes.

Also appointed at the Tier I level is Dr. Kevin McGeough (BA ’96), a professor of archaeology. He will be the Research Chair in Archaeological Theory and Reception for a five-year term. His specialty is the archaeology, history and languages of the ancient Near East and the reception of the ancient Near East in contemporary culture.

Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden has been appointed a Tier I Board of Governors Research Chair in Biomolecular Design and Function. A professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Wieden is the founding director of the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, home to the largest group of primarily RNA-focused research labs in Western Canada. His lab conducts a wide range of research, from rational design of biological nano-machines and over designing and reprogramming of genetic circuits to the development of novel antibiotics.

Dr. Fangfang Li, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology, has received a four-year Tier II appointment as Research Chair in Child Language Acquisition. She specializes in first- and second-language acquisition, children’s speech and motor control development and examination of human speech using instruments.

Also appointed for a four-year term at the Tier II level is Dr. Aaron Taylor, an associate professor in the Department of New Media. He will be the Board of Governors Research Chair in Film and New Media. His research projects investigate the psychology of screen acting, comics and the superhero film and the cult reception of sentimental movies.

All terms begin on July 1, 2019.