We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Tracy Raivio as vice-provost and dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research effective November 1, 2023.
Dr. Raivio has held many meaningful leadership roles connected to graduate students, through which she has worked collaboratively to positively impact graduate education and the graduate student experience in areas that include program and professional development, mental health, and mentoring. She brings two decades of experience as a leader, scientist, and educator, leading with authenticity, honesty, and respect.
For the past year, Dr. Raivio has served as associate dean of education in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CNAS). In that role, she has led Truth and Reconciliation initiatives, new collaborative teaching across STEM disciplines, expansion of experiential and work-integrated learning, and the creation of multi-disciplinary programs and educational opportunities that are addressing complex global challenges. Prior to this, Dr. Raivio served as acting chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, associate dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, and associate chair (graduate) of the Department of Biological Sciences.
Her internationally recognized research is focused on microbial adaptation and its role in colonization and disease. As a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Dr. Raivio has mentored over 30 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research technicians and is a lead or co-author of over 50 peer-reviewed publications with close to $9 million in funding as principal or co-applicant. Dr. Raivio is a University of Alberta alumnus and received her BSc specializing in genetics from the Department of Biological Sciences. She completed a PhD in microbiology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary where she studied the regulation of virulence factor production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates associated with Cystic Fibrosis lung infections.
As vice-provost and dean of FGSR, Dr. Raivio will lead efforts to strengthen graduate education and the experience of post-doctoral fellows at the University, including implementing the recommendations from the recent unit review. As part of these efforts, Dr. Raivio will connect with students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, staff, leaders, and the community to build and support an outstanding, inclusive experience. Her vision is to build exceptional supports for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows that are integrated across colleges, faculties, and departments. Dr. Raivio will develop barrier-free pathways in FGSR so students and post-doctoral fellows can pursue their passions and connect to career pathways, enabling them to contribute to solutions to the most complex problems of our times.
Dr. Raivio will succeed Dr. Roger Epp, who has served as interim vice-provost and dean since November 2022. We would like to thank Dr. Epp for providing excellent leadership during his tenure, especially with the coordination of the FGSR Unit Review
Lastly, we want to thank the Dean Selection Committee for their hard work and recommendation on this important decision for the future leadership of FGSR.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Raivio on her appointment.
Melissa Padfield
Deputy Provost (Students and Enrolment)
Verna Yiu
Interim Provost and Vice-President (Academic)