UNB News
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As UNB looks ahead to a new chapter in leadership, the past seven years, led by university president and vice chancellor Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle, tell a powerful story of growth, progress, and impact. This story highlights how UNB, through knowledge creation and mobilization, impacts and transforms communities close to home and across the globe.

The University of New Brunswick’s ability to respond to real-world needs and create a lasting impact, both locally and globally, is rooted in a strong commitment to service and a shared sense of responsibility. The UNB Toward 2030 strategic plan, led by Dr. Mazerolle, emphasizes meaningful and innovative research to meet today’s challenges. This work translates research into action, transforming communities—shaping policy, enhancing health care, advancing technology, strengthening community resilience and fostering industry innovation.

UNB’s growing research strength is anchored in world-class talent and expertise. In the past seven years, 19 new research chairs—many of whom are in partnership with government and industry—have elevated UNB’s ability to tackle and solve complex problems. They include chairs in Indigenous health and nursing, cybersecurity, digital information law and policy, healthy aging, ecological modelling, child rights and health, marine additive manufacturing, resilient communities, and smart grid technology, among others. Each of these roles brings together students, faculty and external partners to advance solutions such as supporting Indigenous communities through culturally grounded health research, protecting national infrastructure against cyberattacks, improving aging‑in‑place supports, strengthening environmental decision‑making and advancing equity in child health.

These chairs are part of a broader investment in UNB-based research hubs that have deepened the university’s expertise and expanded its reach. The Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence—Canada’s first—has positioned New Brunswick as a national leader in 3D‑printed marine components. There, researchers work directly with industry to develop safer, lighter and more efficient parts that reduce environmental impact and improve performance in harsh coastal conditions. The Research Institute in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence supports partners in sectors like health, energy, defence and transportation as they adopt responsible AI and data‑driven solutions. And the Institute of Population Health is working with public agencies to better understand issues ranging from chronic disease to rural health care access, using evidence to shape programs and inform long‑term planning.

With the support and expertise of research faculty and staff—central to UNB’s research mission—these efforts have accelerated applied research in fields central to New Brunswick’s, and Canada’s, future. UNB engineers and scientists are partnering with NB Power on smart‑grid technologies that will modernize the province’s energy system and support the transition to renewables. Researchers at the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity are developing tools to safeguard critical systems and help organizations protect themselves against emerging threats. In agriculture, the McCain Chair in Digital Agriculture will bring advanced analytics and smart technologies to improve sustainability and food production. Across labs, new infrastructure—such as the Advanced Nuclear Reactors Lab, the Building Enclosure Lab, expanded materials‑testing facilities for electric vehicle research and the plasma coating facility—has created hands‑on environments where faculty, students and industry work side by side to test, refine and scale new technologies.

For over 40 years, UNB has served as a national leader in defence-aligned research and innovation. With over $10 million in recent Department of National Defence–related funding, UNB is advancing made-in-Canada expertise in areas such as cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, quantum positioning, nuclear safety, and Arctic protection.

UNB’s impact on health research has taken an important leap as well. The Integrated Health Initiative's bachelor of health program has created a collaborative environment where health researchers, clinicians and community partners work together on practical solutions to issues like mental health access, aging, physical activity and chronic disease management. New health‑focused research chairs are studying topics that shape the everyday lives of New Brunswickers—how to better integrate care, and how to advance health equity for Indigenous communities and vulnerable populations.

Students have been meaningfully impacted by this research expansion. More than ever before, they are joining labs, participating in community‑engaged research, completing internships through strategic partnerships and contributing to projects that have real social, environmental and economic impact. For many students, these experiences lead directly to meaningful careers in New Brunswick, helping to retain talented graduates and strengthen the province’s innovation capacity.

Research at UNB is also informing policy across Canada. Experts in law and technology are guiding national conversations on digital rights and cybersecurity. Scholars in education, social work and community development are working with governments to improve outcomes for children, youth and families. Environmental scientists are shaping conservation practices that protect species and help communities prepare for climate change. This outward‑facing approach ensures that UNB’s research contributes to solutions far beyond its campuses.

As UNB moves toward its next era, the impact of this period of research growth will continue to unfold. The foundations built over the last seven years—19 new research chairs, including six new Canada research chairs, three new research institutes and centres, modernized labs, four new strategic partnerships and a strengthened culture of collaboration, position the university to solve the challenges of today while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow. Through this work, UNB is not only advancing knowledge but improving lives in ways felt across the province, the country and the world.

Photo: Paul and Sonja Perley at the recent Fergusson Foundation MoU signing.