The Government of Canada has announced the renewal of Acadia Professor Mark Mallory's Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Coastal Ecosystem Resilience and Connectivity, as part of a major investment in Canadian researchers and research institutions. It is a $1.4M commitment to an exceptional research program that examines how a changing environment will affect the physical and ecological function of coastal habitats and the wildlife they support. Canada is a coastal nation, and coastal habitats hold key socio-economic and environmental importance, but are among the most at risk habitats globally.

Since joining Acadia University as a Tier 2 CRC in 2011, Dr. Mallory has developed an innovative, collaborative and highly productive research program, distinguishing himself as an international leader in predicting and quantifying the movement of contaminants by marine wildlife to coastal habitats. Over the past seven years, Mallory has received more than $5M in research support and produced some 200 peer reviewed publications. As a Professor in Acadia's Department of Biology and the Director of Research at the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre, Dr. Mallory has trained dozens of students and works closely with scientists and policymakers in government and industry to develop collaborative research and monitoring programs that address critical and time-sensitive national and international conservation issues.

"Today's investment by the Canadian government in Dr. Mallory's research program will not only support his work on understanding human-generated threats to marine and coastal wildlife," notes Dr. Peter Ludlow, Acadia's Vice-Provost of Research and Innovation, "but also promotes five key research themes in the Strategic Research Plan 2024-2030 and contributes to Acadia’s mission of preparing students for success in a modern competitive world."

According to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, "A world-class research ecosystem is essential to Canada’s future well-being and prosperity. The investments announced today for researchers, research institutions and critical infrastructure are helping build a healthier, more resilient and more prosperous country, while driving the discoveries and innovations that will shape our economy and improve Canadians’ quality of life for decades to come."