Canada Research Chairs
BCIT currently has three Canada Research Chairs:
- Dr. Fitsum Tariku, Canada Research Chair in Whole Building Performance
- Dr. Jaimie Borisoff, Canada Research Chair in Rehabilitation Engineering Design
- Dr. Paula Brown, Canada Research Chair in Phytoanalytics

The Canada Research Chairs program is committed to excellence in research and research training in eligible degree-granting institutions across the country. The Canada Research Chairs program invests approximately $265 million per year to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds. Chairholders aim to achieve research excellence in engineering and the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences. They improve our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada’s international competitiveness, and help train the next generation of highly skilled people through student supervision, teaching, and the coordination of other researchers’ work.
Rudy North Chair in River Ecology

A leading gift of $1 million from Rudy North, president and founder of North Growth Management Ltd., established the Rivers Institute at BCIT and funded Canada’s first Chair in River Ecology. The Institute will support research and travel, facilitate public awareness activities and provide financial support for students with a particular interest in river conservation for a period of three years. Additional investments will be sought to extend the reach of the Rivers Institute and support future activities.
- The first Chair in River Ecology was Mark Angelo.
- The current Chair in River Ecology is Ken Ashley.