“The latest appointed chairs will further discovery in strategic fields as wide ranging as responsible AI, genomics, nursing, human health, and safety law,” said Sylvain Charbonneau, uOttawa vice-president, research. “These chairs honour the creative, inspired research our professors have undertaken in their respective areas of expertise.”
The four holders of the new University Research Chairs are:
Céline Castets-Renard (Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section), University Research Chair in Accountable Artificial Intelligence in A Global Context
Professor Céline Castets-Renard’s research deals with the societal implications of artificial intelligence (AI). Her chair will promote a responsible, inclusive, and human-centred approach to AI.
Nicolas Corradi (Faculty of Science), University Research Chair in Microbial Genomics
Professor Nicolas Corradi’s work on the genetics and genomics of root-associated symbionts has allowed him to build ties with green industry partners to develop crops with tailored mycorrhizal strains. The proposed research is expected to lead to patents and fungal strain licensing. In the longer term, Corradi plans to establish an agro tech start-up.
Ryan Graham (Faculty of Health Sciences), University Research Chair in Biomechanics and Data Science for Human Health and Performance
Professor Ryan Graham’s research program will focus on the merging of biomechanics and data science to optimize human health and performance in clinical settings and workplaces, as well as in sports and daily activities. His team aims to: improve our understanding of how injuries occur; develop smarter, data-driven assessment tools and technologies to assist end users with decision making; and create opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to be involved in hardware and software commercialization and spin-off company development.
Florian Martin-Bariteau (Faculty of Law, Common Law Section), University Research Chair on Technology and Society
Professor Florian Martin-Bariteau aims to develop a research excellence program in law, ethics, and policy that focuses on the security, regulation, and governance issues surrounding artificial intelligence, blockchains, and quantum information.
The two renewed University Research Chairs are held by:
Dave Holmes (Faculty of Health Sciences), University Research Chair in Forensic Nursing
Professor Dave Holmes’ research is used in fields such as law, nursing, psychiatry, mental health, social work, and public health to improve specialized care for patients who have experienced the long-term health consequences associated with victimization or violence.
Janet Squires (Faculty of Health Sciences), University Research Chair in Health Evidence Implementation
The goal of Professor Janet Squires’ research program is to increase the use of research evidence in the clinical care provided by health care professionals in order to improve health care quality, patient outcomes, and health care system sustainability.
The holder of the Distinguished Research Chair is:
Katherine Lippel (Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section), Distinguished Research Chair in Occupational Health and Safety Law
Professor Katherine Lippel’s research seeks to promote the study of various legal frameworks in the area of occupational health and safety through a transdisciplinary lens, including regulatory models that address the prevention of work-related injury and illness, compensation for disability arising from work exposure, and support for the return to work after a work-related injury.