For the position of Vice-President (President-elect)
Hans-Joachim (HJ) Wieden, PhD
Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Director, SynBridge (Synthetic Biology Maker Space), University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Director, Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI), University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
- Candidacy statement
I am excited to express my interest to be considered as a prospective candidate for the role of Vice-President of the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences (CSMB). I have been a member of the Board since 2016 and have chaired the conference committee since 2017, developing strategies for future meetings and opportunities to increase revenue for the Society. Working with the leadership team allowed me to participate in the modernization of the CSMB, and to put the Society on an extremely exciting trajectory. I am dedicated to help continue this development and to contribute to advancing the Society and improving the environment for researchers and trainees in Canada.
In this context, a strong focus will have to be on continuing our advocacy efforts, ensuring that appropriate funding for Canadian science is available and that we continue to make progress with respect to equity, diversity and inclusion. This is in particular timely given the background of the new challenges that will become visible during (and following) the COVID-19 crisis. For example, challenges that affect scientists from underrepresented groups, parenting scientists and in particular graduate students. With this in mind, it is important that we advocate for addressing these emerging issues in a timely manner to avoid risking what we have already achieved with respect to EDI.
Furthermore, I am convinced that it will be critical for the Society to provide an inclusive platform for all of our members, to provide ongoing support and to encourage exchange both scientifically as well as through a professional network among its members. As such the development of structures that provide these opportunities beyond the annual meeting will be one of my goals. Furthermore, I believe that we as a Society can play a strong role in career development through training, awareness, and mentorship.
I recognise that in order to achieve our aims, the Society must be footed on a solid and future-proof funding model. Given the recent cancelation of our annual meeting, this is even more critical, constituting another key goal that I would like help to achieve in the role of vice-president.
I am convinced that my past experience on the Board as well as my work as director of the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI) together with my cross-disciplinary research and dedication to undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral training provides a strong background to be an effective member of the CSMB executive leadership team.
Education
2002 – 2003 Post-doctorate in Bioinformatics, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
1995 – 2000 Dr. rer. nat. (Ph.D.) in Biochemistry, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany
1993 – 1995 Undergraduate Education in Philosophy, Heinrich-Hein University, Düsseldorf, Germany
1992 – 1995 Diplom (M.Sc. equivalent) in Chemistry, Heinrich-Hein University, Düsseldorf, Germany
Current Positions
Professor (2016 – Present)
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Director (2015 – Present)
SynBridge (Synthetic Biology Maker Space), University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Director (2012 – Present)
Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI), University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Past Positions
Assistant Dean – Destination (2019)
Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Associate Professor (2011 – 2016)
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Assistant Professor (2005 – 2011)
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Visiting Scientist (2001 – 2004)
Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
Professional activities relevant to this position
Dr. Hans-Joachim (HJ) Wieden is the founding Director of the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI) and a current board member of the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences (CSMB). Dr. Wieden holds a University of Lethbridge Board of Governors Research (Tier I) Chair in Biomolecular Design and Function and is a recipient of both the University of Lethbridge Distinguished Teaching Award and the University of Lethbridge Student’s Union Teaching Excellence Award. He is an Alberta Science and Technology Leadership (ASTech) Foundation Honoree and was awarded the Blue Jacket Award (RiboClub).
As part of his activities, he has been mentoring student research groups participating in the international Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition for over 10 years and currently oversees SynBridge a Synthetic Biology Maker Space at the University of Lethbridge. As part of this work he is interested in the biosecurity and dual-use aspects of emerging bio-technologies. Last year, Dr. Wieden has been appointed Assistant Dean – Destination in the Faculty of Arts and Science focusing on the academic program in the new Science and Academic building.
Major Research Interests
Dr. Wieden’s CIHR, NSERC, CFI and Alberta Innovates funded research ranges from the rational design of biological nano-machines, to designing and reprogramming of genetic circuits, the structure and function of the transition machinery (ribosome), and to the development of novel antibiotics.
Key words: Ribosome, RNA, GTPases, Biophysics, Synthetic biology/Bioengineering, Antibiotics
