VIU Welcomes New Dean of Science and Technology

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is pleased to announce Dr. Eve Stringham has been appointed Dean, Science and Technology. In this key role Dr. Stringham will provide academic and administrative leadership to VIU’s Faculty of Science and Technology where she will be responsible for developing and empowering a team of 100+ faculty, support staff, and administrators to ensure continuous improvement, and the evolution of a range of programs and services that support students’ learning, needs and success.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Faculty of Science and Technology at Vancouver Island University. VIU’s reputation for teaching excellence and applied research is well known, and I am excited to build on that foundation in the years to come. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of careers in science and technology.  While we grapple with the uncertainty the pandemic has brought, I am struck by the way in which faculty and staff are thinking innovatively about programming and conducting research that is highly relevant. It’s an exceptional time to be engaged in science.” Reports Stringham.

Dr. Stringham brings a depth of experience in post-secondary to this role, having been appointed Vice Provost of Research and Graduate Studies at Trinity Western University (TWU) in 2013, where she had been a faculty member in the biology department since 1997. During that time, she was the first TWU faculty member to be awarded a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grant (1999) and has since held tri-agency funding continuously for 20 years.

Stringham held a Canada Research Chair-NSERC, Tier 2 for 10 years in developmental genetics and disease. She has supervised numerous undergraduate students as well as M.Sc. and Ph.D. students through an adjunct appointment at Simon Fraser University (SFU), and co-developed the biotechnology program at TWU while a faculty member in their biology department.

Dr. Stringham’s career path has included a dedication to service, including time as a University Senate Secretary; Chair of a Faculty Association; and as a member of key university committees, including the Animal Care Committee; the University Budget Committee; Academic Freedom Committee; the Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee; and the Faculty Work Environment Committee.

As an administrative leader, Stringham developed the Office of Research and Graduate Studies at TWU and successfully led initiatives to increase research capacity. She has been an executive member of the Alliance of Canadian Comprehensive Research Universities and has been honored as a Canada Research Chair in Developmental Genetics and Disease.

“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Stringham,” says Dr. Carol Stuart, Provost and Vice-President Academic, “She brings a wealth of experience and perspective to her work as Dean, which will support the faculty in delivering high quality programming as we launch new majors (chemistry and math) and new honours (computer science) programs, as well as expand our Engineering offerings. Her strong commitment to the STEM disciplines will support VIU as we move forward.”

Dr. Stringham holds a PhD, University of British Columbia, an MSc, University of Manitoba and a BSc, University of Manitoba. While not on campus, she enjoys music and can be found singing in a choir.

Dr. Stringham’s five-year renewable term as VIU’s Dean of Science and Technology commenced on June 1, 2020.