Brian Driscoll named as Chair of Natural Resource Sciences

Microbiologist Brian Driscoll took over the helm of the Department of Natural Resource Sciences (NRS) on September 1st.

Growing up in Dundas, ON, Driscoll discovered his love science and agriculture at a young age, thanks to the influence of two uncles - one an organic chemistry professor and the other an apple grower.  Through stints as a lifeguard and swimming instructor, he discovered that teaching was something he excelled at and enjoyed.

While at McMaster University, Brian became interested in molecular microbiology. He found the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis to be a fascinating area of exploration, as it allowed him to feed his interests in both agriculture and science.

Driscoll came to Macdonald in 1996 as an Assistant Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Natural Resource Sciences; he teaches courses in Microbial Ecology and Bacterial Molecular Genetics. He has supervised or co-supervised more than 30 graduate students, and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals.

Over the years, he served the Faculty in numerous roles including the University Senate  (2007-2012),  FAES Student Recruitment, Grant Review and Tenure Committees and Curriculum Committees.  One of his proudest achievements was being part of the team who developed the Faculty’s new majors that integrated fundamental science with multidisciplinary studies.  Driscoll was behind the establishment of the Life Sciences Major for which he served as Program Director until recently.

Outside of the work environment, many of Brian’s activities revolve around his family - he is a volunteer soccer and basketball coach and enjoys birding and spending time in the great outdoors.