Trent University Appoints Vice-President Research and International

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dr. Neil Emery to take on key role, effective July 1, 2011.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011, Peterborough

Trent University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Neil Emery as the new vice-president Research and International, effective July 1, 2011, for a five year term.

Professor Emery assumes this position from Dr. Jim Parker, whose term ends on June 30, 2011.

“In his role as associate vice-president Research, Neil demonstrated a strong understanding of Trent’s research mission across the Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences,” said Dr. Steven Franklin, president and vice-chancellor.  “Given his in-depth knowledge of Trent’s community of teachers and researchers, he is ideally positioned to lead Trent’s Office of Research and the Trent International Program.”

Dr. Emery is a full professor in the Biology Department at Trent with degrees from Queen’s University (B.Sc.) and the University of Calgary (Ph.D.). He is a plant physiologist who studies the control of growth by plant hormones and applications to crop yield particularly for oats, barley and legumes such as soybean, peas and beans. Prior to coming to Trent, Prof. Emery worked for research institutions in Perth, Australia and Dijon, France. He holds grants from several agencies including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ontario Ministry of Research & Innovation and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. These grants involve extensive collaborations both locally and with institutions in Japan, Germany, France, Czech Republic and Australia.  Much of his research also includes partnerships with the agriculture and food private sectors.

Prof. Emery has been at Trent since 2000, and has served as the director of the Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program from 2006 to 2009 and as associate vice-president Research from 2009 to 2011.

Dr. Franklin also congratulated Dr. Jim Parker on the pending conclusion of his term as vice-president Research and International. 

“For seven years, Jim has provided outstanding leadership to the Office of Research at a time when Trent’s research revenues from externally funded sources have produced a marked increase”, said Dr. Franklin.  In addition, Dr. Parker provided leadership for the University’s Registrar’s Office and Trent International Program. 

“Jim’s work, which includes the adoption of a Strategic Enrolment Management Plan and an updated Research Plan, will have a lasting impact on the University.  We thank him for his service to the University and congratulate him on his accomplishments.”

- 30 -

For more information, contact:
Dr. Neil Emery, associate vice-president Research, Trent University, 705-748-1011 x 7312.