Elly Mackay
8 January 2020: Geneticist and cytogenetics expert Professor Janine Deakin has been appointed as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Canberra, commencing in 2021.
Professor Deakin has contributed significantly to the Faculty since 2013, and throughout her tenure has worked as Deputy Director and Director of the Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE), and Deputy Dean of the Faculty.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Geoff Crisp said that Professor Deakin was chosen given her long history with the Faculty and her impressive research background.
“We are pleased that we have been able to appoint Janine to the position following many years as Director of the Institute of Applied Ecology and her recent work as Deputy Dean for the Faculty,” Professor Crisp said.
“I’d like to congratulate Janine on her new role and I wish her all the best in leading the Faculty.”
Professor Deakin holds a PhD from Macquarie University and completed her postdoctoral research at the University of Texas Health Science Centre.
She has previously been awarded an ARC Future Fellowship which allowed her to carry out research on Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease, and has completed research projects on chromosomal speciation in rock wallabies and sex determination in the central bearded dragon.
“I feel really pleased and excited to have been offered the role, and to be in a position to help the Faculty reach the great potential it has to kick goals in education and research,” Professor Deakin said.
“I want to see the Faculty seize the great potential we have of doing something distinctive by having more teaching and research, spanning across the two Schools and across different Faculties.”
Professor Deakin said she also hopes to continue the Faculty’s long-standing reputation of being a leader in science and education.
“On the education side, I will be looking into the possibilities to expand our offerings in postgraduate courses, in particular to complement our areas of research strength,” she said.
Professor Deakin was chosen from a strong field of applicants for the position of Executive Dean following a robust application process. She commenced as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology on 4 January 2021.
