Eight UCalgary researchers appointed new Canada Research Chairs

The University of Calgary is home to eight new Canada Research Chairs (CRC), announced by the Government of Canada on Nov. 11. Combined with six CRC renewals, UCalgary has received more than $10 million in funding to solve some of our most complex problems.  

“We’re excited to see so many new Canada Research Chairs appointed at the University of Calgary,” says Dr. William Ghali, vice-president (research). “This funding allows our researchers to advance essential knowledge in various domains aligning with each of our national tri-council agencies.” 

To explore the breadth and depth of the research being done on our campuses, we asked our new chairholders the following question: What are you excited about in your field of study? 

Dr. Bukola Salami, PhD, Cumming School of Medicine and Faculty of Nursing
Canadian Institutes of Health Research Tier 1 CRC in Black and Racialized Peoples’ Health 

“Canadians face racialized health inequalities which have a negative impact on the health of Black and racialized people. Racism plays a significant role in contributing to poor health outcomes, leading to a decrease in overall population health. To address this issue, I will utilize a participatory action research approach and apply intersectionality theory to conduct original research, develop collaborative action plans, build knowledge capacity (including training for early career researchers), and establish networks with a goal of transforming the health outcomes of Black and racialized people in Canada. As there are deep inequities experienced by Black and racialized people, what excites me about my research is the opportunity to achieve sustainable impact on communities and to close the gap in achieving health equity. I am also excited by the opportunity to partner with communities and position communities as fruitful actors and leaders in improving their own well-being.” 

Salami is a member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, the O’Brien Institute for Public Health, the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, and the One Child Every Child initiative.

Dr. Jed Kaplan, PhD, Faculty of Science
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Tier 1 CRC in Global Geospatial Intelligence for Earth Systems Modeling 

“Understanding how climate change is affecting wildfires and other aspects of the earth system is linked not only to changes in the natural world, but also to how people value and interact with the environment. Computing gives us the tools to test out future scenarios, understand past changes and devise strategies for sustainability in a changing world. Emerging advances in computing power and methods make me optimistic that we can build the tools we need to explore the risks and opportunities living on a changing planet in a way that was not possible even a decade ago. A new generation of computational models will help us forecast and manage global systems with the detail and complexity that is required to solve the wicked problems facing humanity, including human and animal health; equitable access to natural and cultural resources; and the security of food, water and biodiversity.”  

Dr. Araba Chintoh, PhD, Cumming School of Medicine
Canadian Institutes of Health Research Tier 2 CRC in Child and Adolescent Mental Health 

“What excites me most is creating real pathways for youth who too often fall between the cracks of mental and physical health care. For young people with severe mental illness, there is a pressing need for early, integrated support that goes beyond simply treating symptoms to actively preventing long-term physical health risks. In my research program, Healthy Active Recovery in Mental Health and Obesity – Network for Youth (HARMONY), I am combining evidence-based tools, proactive monitoring and a team of dedicated experts to make sure our youth not only receive the care they need, but thrive as they transition into adulthood. This isn’t just research — it's a call to action to close the gap in youth health care.” 

Chintoh is a member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute.

Dr. Ann Gregory, PhD, Faculty of Science
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Tier 2 CRC in Viromics and One Health 

“In my field of viromics, I am most excited about uncovering the hidden roles of viruses within microbial ecosystems and their interactions with hosts. Viruses, especially bacteriophages, are not just pathogens, but key players in shaping microbial dynamics, influencing health and driving evolutionary processes. Advances in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics now allow us to explore these viral communities in unprecedented depth, revealing their contributions to microbiome function, immune modulation and even environmental resilience. By understanding these interactions, we can harness viruses for novel applications like precision therapeutics, conservation efforts and bioengineering. The potential to translate these discoveries into real-world solutions, such as phage therapies for antibiotic-resistant infections or microbiome engineering for ecosystem restoration, is exciting. This is a pivotal time in virology, where we are not only redefining what viruses are, but also exploring how they can be powerful allies in tackling global challenges.” 

Dr. Ali Karimi, PhD, Faculty of Arts
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Tier 2 CRC in Race, Social Justice, and Digital Media 

“I study data justice, a field that explores data and technology from a social justice perspective. As a collaborative field, data justice scholars work with activists, policymakers and technologists to make sure our increasingly automated data systems remain ethical, transparent and fair. I am fascinated by the recent rise in public awareness about the power of data and algorithms and how they shape our public and private lives. However, in the Global South, where data injustice is more pervasive, awareness of the issue is often limited, largely due to political repression. I’m excited to use my CRC to develop tools that can help identify and address injustices in data infrastructures, with a particular focus on the Global South.” 

Dr. Daniel Voth, PhD, Faculty of Arts
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Tier 2 CRC in Inter-Indigenous Politics 

“The work that my partners and I will be doing through the Chair aims to open up new ways of thinking about political conflicts between Indigenous peoples. For a really long time, Indigenous peoples have been incentivized to fight each other, often to our collective detriment. This Chair offers an exciting chance to turn that around and study new ways different Indigenous peoples can collaborate on the political projects that revitalize our governing structures and return our lands. I’ve been just buzzing with anticipation about this work! Young people and students are going to be a big part of this; Indigenous students don’t get enough chances to explore the way inter-Indigenous collaboration can support not only self-determination, but also culture and knowledge transmission. There will be lots of important and interesting conflicts, along with good laughs and enriching conversations, too. I’m thrilled UCalgary has been such a supporter of this work.” 

Dr. Danielle Whittier, PhD'21, Cumming School of Medicine
Canadian Institutes of Health Research Tier 2 CRC in Pediatric Musculoskeletal Imaging 

“My research focuses on using advanced medical imaging and computational methods to better understand the effects of chronic and complex diseases on pediatric musculoskeletal health. While bones are traditionally viewed simply as a structural framework, they are a highly dynamic tissue that continuously adapts to health conditions and environmental factors. By taking a comprehensive and data-driven approach that combines imaging, clinical biomarkers, functional measures and lifestyle, we can gain insights into how certain conditions (and their treatments) impact skeletal development and fracture healing in children. This work has potential to improve patient care by enabling earlier detection of suboptimal growth or recovery, supporting lifelong musculoskeletal health. In my new role, I am looking forward to strengthening collaborations between the McCaig Institute and ACHRI (Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute) to enhance paediatric musculoskeletal research and help advance evidence-based care.” 

Whittier is a member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health.

Dr. Adriana Zardini Buzatto, PhD, Faculty of Science
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Tier 2 CRC in Lipidomics 

“My research focuses on lipidomics, the study of lipids in biological processes, including natural occurrences and diseases. Lipids were once seen merely as energy sources, but they play vital roles in our bodies, from structural membranes to brain signalling and microbial interactions. Lipidomics has the potential to enhance patient diagnosis and care by revealing new diagnostic markers, therapeutic targets and biological processes with real-world applications to benefit society. It is also a powerful tool for exploring One Health — the interconnectedness of humans, animals, microbes and the environment. However, further development is required for lipidomics to become a reliable, translatable tool, which is my primary focus. We are only beginning to scratch the surface of detailed lipid analysis, but I am confident lipidomics will provide crucial insights to advance human health and the world around us.” 

Zardini Buzatto is a member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute.