The Department of Chemistry is pleased to announce Dr. Laurel Schafer as our new Head. Dr. Schafer’s research group develops new catalytic methods which minimize waste to result in sustainable methods for chemical transformations. She has served as the Associate Head, Research since 2016 and is the first woman to be appointed as Head of the UBC Chemistry Department.
A message from Dr. Laurel Schafer:
Dear Colleagues and Coworkers,
I am honored and excited to address such a remarkable community of outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral and departmental staff, and faculty in my new role as head of this outstanding department. As I step into this position, I welcome the challenge of leading our team that is broadly recognized for its excellence in research, education, and outreach.
Our department is at the leading-edge of scientific discovery and innovation, evident through our groundbreaking publications, translational research resulting in economic impact, innovative educational practices, and transformational outreach initiatives. I feel honoured to have the opportunity to work alongside such ambitious and talented coworkers and colleagues who drive us toward new possibilities and discoveries.
During my time as head, I aim to build upon our rich tradition of departmental excellence with diligent stewardship and strategic leadership to further enhance our community of scholarship. My approach will be defined by efforts to establish cohorts, feature open communication, and foster cooperative collaboration. I also recognize that we are in an economic situation where prudent management, and resourceful deployment of resources will be needed to address our research funding challenges and to support our graduate students.
I envision our department as a hub of collaboration and innovation, where ideas flourish and partnerships thrive. With far reaching and expanding national and international interdisciplinary engagement, we are poised to take on new leadership opportunities in our diverse field of chemistry. I look forward to embarking on this journey with you all, united in our commitment to excellence and progress. Together, we will continue to push boundaries, make a difference, and shape the future of our department.
With Warm Regards,
Laurel L. Schafer
Professor – Head, Department of Chemistry
Canada Research Chair in Catalyst Development
As Dr. Schafer steps into this role, we thank Dr. Michael Wolf for his exceptional leadership as Head of Chemistry over the last 8 years.