Ian Brindle, a renowned Brock scientist and scholar whose academic writing has appeared in more than 80 publications, was today named as the University’s new Vice-President of Research.
Brindle, for years a driving force behind the increasing scope and stature of research at Brock, fills the vacancy left by Liette Vasseur, who is stepping down from the position to concentrate on her research work. She has an appointment as Professor of Biological Sciences, and will teach and continue to do research.
In making the announcement, University President Jack Lightstone said Brindle’s accomplishments and his reputation as a respected scientist make him an ideal leader for Brock’s growing role in Canadian research.
“Ian has been one of the architects in bringing Brock to where it is today in terms of research capacity and leadership,” said Lightstone, “so we are very pleased to have him accept the most senior role in research administration. We are also grateful for the effort Dr. Vasseur brought to the task during her time in the role.”
In taking up the new post, Brindle will leave his position of Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, to which he was appointed in 2001. The Faculty’s Associate Dean, Rick Cheel, has been appointed Interim Dean, and a decanal search will be initiated to fill the position.
Brindle, who had served as Associate Interim Vice President of Research in 2007-08, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry whose work has been recognized by the Research Excellence Award of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. He has also been instrumental in planning and developing the Niagara Health and Bioscience Research Complex, which is currently under construction at Brock.
“I’m honoured to take on this challenge,” Brindle said, “especially as we proceed with the building of the Niagara Health and Bioscience Research Complex, which will expand opportunities for Brock researchers in the Faculties of Applied Health Sciences and Mathematics and Science. Our momentum in research and scholarship has continued to build over the last decade, and I look forward to helping our scholars enhance the reputation of Brock University during my time as Vice-President, Research.”
Brindle’s appointment takes effect immediately, and his term will run through June 30, 2011.
When Ian was my next door neighbour way back in the late 1970s he was a lecturer and finally the university promoted him to assistant professor.
Then, mainly because Ian did not have a PhD the granting of tenure to him was a matter that required tough advocacy on his behalf by members of the Chemistry department. Faculty Association may have helped too.
That’s a long time ago and I may be fuzzy on the details but those of us who knew and loved Ian and knew of his chemistry work were incensed on his behalf. The story ended happily; Ian got tenure, and his subsequent career at Brock has been stellar,
I just hope that those who fought against him being tenured over 30 years ago are still alive to know what a loss it would have been to Brock and to the scientific community in Canada if they had gotten their way.
Congratulations, Ian!