A message from Sharmila Anandasabapathy, Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Vice-President, Health, UBC.
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Calvin Roskelley has been appointed Head, Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, effective to June 30, 2030.
Dr. Roskelley is a professor in the Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences and the School of Biomedical Engineering. He previously served as interim Co-Head of the department from 2010 to 2012, and as the Faculty’s interim Associate Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Education in 2022.
Dr. Roskelley’s research centers on metastatic cancer progression, with a focus on understanding and developing tools to block changes in cell adhesion that allow breast and ovarian cancers to progress and spread. Over the course of his career, he has served local, regional and national cancer research communities, including as Chair of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Research Advisory Committee. Dr. Roskelley has been honoured as a Distinguished University Scholar and Killam Teaching Award recipient in recognition of his exceptional contributions to research and education.
In his role as Head, Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Dr. Roskelley will provide leadership and strategic direction to advance the department’s education, scholarship and research missions. Dr. Roskelley will build upon the department’s current initiatives, expanding and integrating the department’s research and educational leadership missions across the Life Sciences Institute, the Faculty, UBC and affiliated hospital-based research institutes.
Dr. Roskelley’s appointment follows the leadership of Dr. Edwin Moore, who held the role from 2016. Dr. Moore oversaw incredible advancements within the department over the course of his leadership, including the launch of the major and revised honours program in 2024, which involved concerted effort from many dedicated faculty members. I wish to thank Dr. Moore for his excellent leadership and contributions to the Faculty as Head of the Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Roskelley on his appointment.
