Faculty Nominee Bios

I joined USask in 2005 as the Canada Research Chair in Micro and Nano Device Fabrication. Much of my research is conducted at SyLMAND, Canadian Light Source (CLS), where I am a Beam Team Leader and work with a broad constituency from academics to industry. My teaching in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is primarily related to micro fabrication and electronic materials, but I have also delivered large 1st year Engineering classes. 

Prior to joining USask, I have worked at the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe National Laboratory (now KIT), Germany. Since then, I have been involved in large-scale research on the interface between national research centers and university-level research. This also deeply immersed me into institution- and research association-wide funding initiatives to secure salaries of several hundred staff and operations of major research infrastructure. 

Along with further pan-institutional engagement activities, including contributions to the signature areas renewal process, I have actively contributed to the various levels of administration, governance and strategic decision making from the perspective of a teacher-scholar. I currently serve on University Council and fill the role of Interim Associate Dean, Faculty Relations, College of Engineering. 

Through the combination of local and international experience obtained in both, universities and research centers, I could contribute a potentially quite unique lens to deliberations at the Board. 

Professor Marjorie Delbaere is well suited to take up the role of faculty representative on the USask Board of Governors for the term beginning July 1, 2025. She has been at USask for over 18 years, having joined the Department of Management & Marketing in the Edwards School of Business in January 2007. Professor Delbaere is an engaged educator, who enjoys working with undergraduate students and is active in graduate supervision. Dr. Delbaere carries on an active program of research investigating communication and persuasion about complex and controversial topics, primarily in pharmaceutical products and healthcare. Her contributions to service within the Edwards expanded to include Associate Dean Research, Graduate Programs, and Faculty Relations in 2020 (successfully renewed for a second 5-year term) and most recently Acting Dean of Edwards for the period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

Professor Delbaere's academic career and university service to date have provided her with a broad range of experiences that will contribute to her capacity to serve on the Board. She has served on University Council since 2019, including as Chair of Council, Chair and Vice Chair of RSAW, and on Governance. As a professor of marketing with practical business experience, she would also bring expertise in communications and marketing to the board. She is currently enrolled in the Directors Education Program of the ICD. She enjoys playing an active role in governance and welcomes the opportunity to expand her engagement by representing faculty on the Board of Governors.

I am the incumbent faculty member serving on the Board.  I have been a faculty member in Computer Science since 2003.  I have a PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and my research interests lie in foundational problems in AI and Cloud Computing.     

I am an engaged campus citizen.  Notably, in 2021, I initiated the campaign to save the University Club.  I also played a central role in the 2023-2024 University Council election reform that made independent faculty members a majority of University Council, possibly for the first time in 28 years.  On the Board, I have kept the promise I made in 2022 to strive to inject a faculty perspective into Board deliberations, while simultaneously cultivating the relationships of trust and respect with fellow board members, which are critical to having faculty perspectives heard.  

While most other Board members can serve for three consecutive terms, the faculty member is limited to two.  Given the learning curve involved and the importance of personal rapport on a small board, I feel that it is important to have an effective faculty member on the board serve the full two terms when possible.  This is especially true today because the University is in a time of significant transition: the President, the Chancellor, and some key Board members are departing over the next year. 

If you elect me again, I will continue to represent you faithfully and vigorously. 

I obtained my Ph.D. in 1995 Physics at the University of Hamburg in Germany and subsequently spent time as a postdoctoral fellow at Tulane University. Following an initial appointment as Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University, I joined the University of Saskatchewan as an Associate Professor in 2000 and was promoted to Professor in 2003. I have held Tier 1 and Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs in Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science since 2002. In my research program, I use a combination of theory and experimental synchrotron-based spectroscopy to study the properties of advanced materials. My students and I have co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications in total, and 28 students graduated from my group. 

I have served on many committees at all levels, including the University Review Committee, College Review Committee, Graduate Affairs Committee, Transform US, Task force for Graduate Student funding, User Advisory Committee of the CLS, Appeals Committee for Tenure cases and for Promotions, as well as the University Scholarship Awards Committee. I also have served on many international committees associated with large research facilities in Canada (TRIUMF) and the US (National Labs at Berkeley and Brookhaven) as well as the NSERC DG committee and the Brockhouse Medal committee (chair).  

I will bring a perspective of a recognized leader of the USask research community to the Board of Governors. 

If elected, I will emphasize the various research needs of our faculty and graduate students and strive to ensure that our institution prioritizes policies that will improve our international research competitiveness. 

My name is Ryan Walker (http://artsandscience.usask.ca/profile/RWalker/). Board decisions set the stage for our careers, health and wellbeing of our families, student learning and living environments, broader community futures, and our university’s stability and standing. Below are some experiences that have prepared me to serve with competence and conviction on the board of governors. 

As former associate dean of CGPS, I developed skills leading policy and program creation, negotiation and conflict-resolution, and management of ASPA and CUPE staff. It was a profound experience to work alongside faculty, administrators, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows across all colleges, schools, and centrally. 

When I served as chair (and vice-chair, member) of Meewasin Valley Authority’s board of directors, I learned to accomplish goals in the public interest through interjurisdictional partnership. I led work that elevated Meewasin toward national urban park designation and created new board policy on CEO performance review and salary, and progressive pay philosophy for staff compensation. 

When vice-chair (and member) of the Saskatchewan Higher Education Quality Assurance Board I worked alongside regional college, SIIT, UofR, SaskPoly, and Ministry colleagues on sector-wide quality assurance strategy and new degree programs. 

As chair (former and incoming) of the regional and urban planning program, I am experienced at leading professionally accredited interdisciplinary undergraduate programming, creating positive student experiences, and building external relations with professional societies, accreditation bodies, and alumni. I have served faculty on the USFA executive committee, University Council, and advised administration on College Quarter development and the new University Sector Plan (with the City).

I am a Professor and Head of the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan. I currently teach undergraduate courses and have an established research program consisting of several undergraduate and graduate students, research assistants, and research technicians. My research program focuses on the ecology and management of weeds, mainly in agricultural areas. Throughout my academic career, I have always been involved in governance, serving on several departmental and college committees at the University of Saskatchewan. I value the opportunity to serve my university community and as such, I have served as a member of University Council since 2018. During this time, I have participated in the committees of council including as a member of the governance committee, the teaching, learning, and academic resources (TLARC) committee, a senate committee on conflict of interest, and most recently the planning and priorities committee, which I chair. Outside of the University, I have served on several boards of scientific societies, including as a member of finance committees and board executives. I have also been an Associate Editor and Editor-in-Chief for The Canadian Journal of Plant Science.