Dr. Gail Murphy, Vice-President, Research & Innovation has announced Dr. Rachel Fernandez will be UBC’s incoming Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation (VPRI), effective March 15, 2021.
Fernandez will join Dr. Murphy and Associate Vice-Presidents, Research and Innovation, Dr. Matthew Evenden and Dr. Phil Barker (who is also Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation at UBC Okanagan) in sharing leadership of a diverse range of portfolio units and initiatives that support UBC’s research and innovation activities. She will be taking over from Dr. Helen Burt in this role following Dr. Burt’s retirement in February next year.
Dr. Fernandez 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,” Dr. Murphy said in a statement. “Please join me in extending congratulations and welcoming Rachel to the role.”