I am pleased to announce that the Board of Governors has approved the appointment of Dr. Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell as Dean of Science, effective July 1, 2019.
Dr. Kalcounis-Rueppell is currently Professor and Department Head of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Originally from Alberta, she received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Biology from the University of Regina, and her PhD in Zoology from the University of Western Ontario. She completed post-doctoral training at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at the University of California at Berkeley.
Dr. Kalcounis-Rueppell brings to the University of Alberta a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and passion for innovative research, science education, and community engaged science. Her research program is both basic and applied, centered on the biology of acoustic communication in bats and mice, two diverse groups of mammals that communicate using ultrasound. She holds broad knowledge of, and a significant profile in, the science community — nationally and internationally. She is recognized for being a leading thinker in science pedagogy, with a commitment to providing authentic and inclusive research experiences in the classroom, laboratory, and field. Her expertise is reflected in her track-record in funding and knowledge translation. She has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health as well as other government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and industry.
Dr. Kalcounis-Rueppell grounds her teaching and research program in diverse collaborative and multi-disciplinary approaches that include meaningful communication with the communities where she conducts her research. About her new role, Dr. Kalcounis Rueppel says, “I am honoured to be the next Dean of Science at the University of Alberta. The world-leading scientists in the Faculty of Science are at the forefront of problem-solving for the public good, both locally and globally. I am excited to engage the Faculty of Science with campus and community stakeholders and partners, and I look forward to working with the Faculty and the administration to facilitate continued excellence in pushing the boundaries of learning, leadership, innovation, and discovery.”
I would like to thank Interim Dean, Dr. Frank Marsiglio, for his service and leadership this year. I would also like to thank the members of the selection committee for their commitment, service, and hard work on behalf of the Faculty.
Please join me in welcoming Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell to the University of Alberta and the Faculty of Science.
— Steven Dew, PhD
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)