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Media Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2005 Leading Scientist Recruited as Research Director for Canadian Light Source at the U of S SASKATOON, CANADA – Leading infrared synchrotron researcher Tom Ellis today joined the Canadian Light Source (CLS) as its first director of research, a key appointment as the national facility at the University of Saskatchewan prepares to welcome scientists from around the world. Ellis’s position will be associated with the university’s department of chemistry. “It is a tremendous coup for the CLS and the University of Saskatchewan to have someone of Tom’s calibre joining us,” says CLS executive director Bill Thomlinson. “His contributions to Canadian synchrotron science are already extremely significant. I’m confident that he will lead the implementation of an excellent scientific program.” Ellis is relocating from Wolfville, Nova Scotia where he was Acadia University’s first Dean of Research and Graduate Studies. As director of research at the CLS, he will be assuming a key leadership role, responsible for setting the synchrotron’s research priorities and managing the facility’s experimental program. “This appointment shows how the Canadian Light Source can be a beacon, drawing skilled and talented people who recognize its promise,” says Steven Franklin, U of S vice-president research. “This offers tremendous benefits to our university, our province, and our country.” Ellis has been involved with the CLS since its inception as one of the co-applicants for the Canada Foundation for Innovation grant that helped launch the project in 1999. He also serves as national coordinator for the synchrotron’s two infrared beamlines. His own research interests lie in materials science, including the surfaces of biological materials, dental materials, and dental adhesives. “I look forward to working closely with a dynamic group of staff scientists who are building beamlines, promoting the applications of synchrotron research and ensuring that the facility is ready to handle the rapid growth in researchers coming to the CLS,” Ellis says. “I am also interested in getting to know the researchers at the university who are making important contributions to Canadian science.” Until now, the research director duties were shared between staff scientists Emil Hallin and Jeff Cutler. Hallin will continue to oversee overall beamline construction and commissioning, while Cutler will continue as associate director of research for industrial science. Ellis will work closely with both. “It’s an honour to be joining such a talented group of people, whose accomplishments to date have been truly remarkable,” Ellis says. “I particularly want to acknowledge the work of Emil and Jeff, who shared responsibilities as interim research directors in addition to their own challenging jobs.” Ellis earned his B.Sc. in engineering physics from Dalhousie University and went on to obtain his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Waterloo in 1984. His studies included a ‘co-op year’ at Mississauga’s Xerox Research Centre and a post-doctoral fellowship at the renowned AT&T Bell Lab in New Jersey. Prior to his appointment at Acadia University in 2002, he spent 16 years at the Université de Montréal where he helped establish the Laboratory for the Characterization of Materials. Ellis comes to Saskatoon with his wife, Karla Kuklis and their two children. “It is particularly appropriate to move to Saskatchewan during its centennial year, at a time when the province is looking forward to a very promising future,” Ellis says. “The Canadian Light Source is partnering with many others to help create new and exciting opportunities. The CLS is a dream that became a reality, and it is my hope that it will inspire others who have their own ambitious dreams.” Located on the University of Saskatchewan campus, the $174 million Canadian Light Source is Canada’s national synchrotron facility. The CLS produces brilliant light that spans the spectrum from infrared to x-rays. The light is used by scientists to see matter at the atomic level and answer questions in a wide variety of areas including materials science, life sciences, pharmaceutical research and earth and environmental science. Note aux rédacteurs francophone: Dr. Ellis sera disponible pour des entrevues en français. For more information, contact: Matthew Dalzell Michael Robin Last modified: 2008-07-29 14:07:33 |
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