Squires Reappointed Chair of Animal Biosciences

Prof. Jim Squires has been re-appointed as chair of the Department of Animal Biosciences for a three-year-term beginning May 2020.

“The review committee was pleased to recommend reappointment, and we are so grateful for Jim’s readiness to lead,” shares Rene Van Acker, dean of the Ontario Agricultural College. “We are facing unprecedented times and need the consistency and positivity that Jim is known for.”

Given his future career plans, Squires has requested a three-year-term, which begins on May 1, 2020. He was named interim chair in 2014 and then appointed as chair in 2015.

Under his leadership animal biosciences saw considerable growth and renewal. Squires spearheaded significant facility improvements, including renovations to the abattoir and meat lab, renovations to support the equine program and new video conferencing capacity. Over the last six years, fourteen new faculty and eight new staff were hired.

Squires also led the re-naming of the department, from Animal and Poultry Science, and established an executive committee to support distributed leadership.

During his next term, Squires has concrete plans to work on key areas. He plans to support the continued growth of research revenue and capacity, assist in the development of new academic programs, and spearhead initiatives to support the organizational effectiveness of the department.

He has been a faculty member at the University of Guelph since 1987 and has published almost 150 papers, as well as a textbook for students and technical publications for industry. Squires also plays a significant leadership role in the Food From Thought research program funded through CFREF.