Lakehead University is proud to have a formidable team of experts leading ground-breaking discoveries and developments. Our Canada, Lakehead, and Ontario Research Chairs, Research Chair in Northern Studies, Lakehead/TBRHRI Research Chairs and SHARCNET/BRI/TBRRI Molecular Simulation Research Chair are among those spearheading prominent research initiatives.

Lakehead University Research Chairs

Lakehead University Research Chairs (LURCs) recognize high quality research, scholarly and creative achievement by providing a two-year research grant to support an individual’s program of research. The Lakehead University Research Chairs program is a key element in retaining outstanding research talent at our institution. LURCs are recruited every two years through a competitive process.

Current Lakehead University Research Chairs

Dr. Lana Ray, Lakehead University Indigenous Research Chair in Decolonial Futures, Department of Indigenous Learning (2021-2026)
Dr. Connie Russell, Lakehead University Research Chair in Environmental Education, Faculty of Education (2021-2023)
Dr. Salama Ikki, Department of Electrical Engineering (2021-2023)
Dr. Cheryl Lousley, Lakehead University Research Chair in Environmental Humanities (2019-2023)

Past Lakehead University Research Chairs

• Dr. Wilson Wang, Lakehead University Research Chair in Intelligent Systems (2019-2021)
• Dr. Sandra Jeppesen, Lakehead University Research Chair in Transformative Media and Social Movements (2017-2019)
• Dr. Peter Hollings, Department of Geology:  Lakehead University Research Chair in Geochemistry and Ore Deposits (2016-2018)
• Dr. Kristin Burnett, Department of Indigenous Learning: Lakehead University Research Chair in Indigenous Health and Well-Being (2014-2017)
• Dr. Han Chen, Faculty of Natural Resources Management:  Lakehead University Research Chair in Global Climate Change and Boreal Forests
• (2014-2016)
• Dr. Abdelhamid Tayebi, Department of Electrical Engineering:  Lakehead University Research Chair in Aerial Robotics  (Chair from 2012-2014)
• Dr. Mary Lou Kelley, School of Social Work & Centre of Education and Research on Aging and Health: Lakehead University Research Chair in Palliative Care  (Chair from 2012-2014)

• Dr. Philip Fralick, Department of Geology,  Lakehead University Research Chair on Martian Astrobiology  (Chair from 2010 to 2012)

• Dr. Raynald Harvey Lemelin, School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism:  Lakehead University Research Chair in Parks and Protected Areas  (Chair from 2010 to 2012)
• Dr. Lori Chambers, Department of Women's Studies: Lakehead University Research Chair in Gender, Law and Equity (Chair from 2008 to 2010)
• Dr. Todd Dufresne, Department of Philosophy:   Lakehead University Research Chair of Social and Cultural Theory (Chair from 2008 to 2010)
• Dr. Steve Kinrade, Department of Chemistry: Lakehead University Research Chair in Aqueous Silicon Chemistry  (Chair from 2008 to 2010)
• Dr. Baoqiang Liao, Department of Chemical Engineering: Lakehead University Research Chair in Membrane Biotechnology (Chair from 2008 to 2010)

Science and Environmental Studies Faculty-Based Research Chairs

Dr. Vijay Mago, Department of Computer Science:  SES Faculty-Based Research Chair in Natural Language Processing (2022 -2024)
Dr. Amanda Diochon, Department of Geology, SES Faculty-Based Research Chair in Biogeochemical Cycling of C in Northern Soils (2022 - 2025)

Lakehead University/Ontario Research Chair in Injury & Disability Prevention

Dr. Vicki Kristman, Lakehead University  - Ontario Research Chair in Injury & Disability Prevention, Department of Health Sciences, Director & Senior Scientist, EPID@Work Research Institute

NOHFC Industrial Research Chairs

• Dr. Pedram Fatehi, Industrial Research Chair in Green Chemicals and Processes, Department of Chemistry
• Dr. Peter Hollings,  Industrial Research Chair in Mineral Exploration, Department of Geology

Lakehead University/Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute Research (TBRHRI) Chairs

Over the last number of years, Lakehead University and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute have established a joint research chair program that will appoint outstanding researchers who will further promote innovative research at both institutions.  The first joint chair was appointed in 2011.

• Dr. Mitchell S. Albert, Lakehead University - TBRHRI Chair in Molecular Imaging and Advanced Diagnostics, Department of Chemistry, TBRHRI

• Dr. Michael Campbell, Lakehead University - TBRHRI  Research Chair in Radiochemistry for Molecular Imaging and Advanced Diagnostics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, TBRHRI
• Dr. Jinqiang Hou, Lakehead University - TBRHRI Radiochemistry Research Chair, Department of Chemistry, TBRHRI

Former Lakehead University TBRHRI Research Chairs

• Dr. Ingeborg Zehbe, Lakehead University-TBRHRI Chair in Probe Development and Biomarker Exploration, Department of Biology, TBRHRI
• Dr. Zubair Fadlullah, Lakehead University - TBRHRI Chair in Smart Health Technology, Department of Computer Science, TBRHRI

Chairs in Finnish Studies

• Dr. Oula Seitsonen (2022-23), Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oulu, Finland.
• Dr. Aappo Kähönen (2020-21), Department of Social Science History Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland.

• Dr. Jaana Laine (2019), Department of Political and Economic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of    Helsinki, Finland.

Fulbright Canada Visiting Research Chairs

• Dr. Mohan Tanniru, (Division of Public Health Practice and Translational Research, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona), Fulbright Canada Visiting Research Chair in Interdisciplinary Sustainability Solutions (2022).

• Dr. Nancy Langston (Distinguished Professor of Environmental History, Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University), Fulbright Canada Visiting Research Chair in Interdisciplinary Sustainability Solutions (2020).

Former Ontario Research Chairs

• Dr. Robert Dekker, Former Scientific Director, and Senior Ontario Research Chair in Biorefining Technologies
• Dr. Wensheng Qin, Former Junior Ontario Research Chair in Biorefining Technologies

Former SHARCNET/BRI/TBRRI Molecular Simulation Research Chair

• Dr. Wely B. Floriano, Department of Chemistry, Biorefining Research Initiative, and Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute