UBC Reports | Vol. 52 | No. 5 | May 4, 2006

Time Piece: Prof. Brian James

UBC Chemistry Prof. Emeritus Brian James Takes Mentorship Very Seriously

Prof. Jame’s 80th graduate student will earn his PhD in Chemistry this year.

Since his first UBC faculty appointment in 1964, James has served as thesis advisor to 54 PhD and 26 Master’s students, nine of whom went on to complete their PhD with James.

His first advisee served as President of the Royal Society of Canada, while a dozen others are on faculty at universities around the world.

“Prof. James represents all the finest features of excellent university research,” says UBC Vice-President, Research, John Hepburn. “Not only is he at the leading-edge of his field — in fact, he has defined new areas of research throughout his career — he has mentored a record number of students who have gone on to their own stellar careers in research.”

The prestigious journal Inorganica Chimica Acta will publish a special issue this month to celebrate James’s 70th birthday and his contributions to the field of inorganic chemistry.

“Although having accumulated 30 UBC, national and international awards, and close to 400 publications, I’m most proud of having graduated so many fantastic students,” says the former British citizen who shares the Queen’s birthday.