UNBC Celebrates Promotions of Trailblazing Faculty Members
UNBC celebrated the promotion of 15 faculty members, including Dr. Indrani Margolin and Dr. Caroline Sanders, who have achieved the rank of full professor.
Dr. Indrani Margolin, a faculty member of the School of Social Work at the University of Northern British Columbia, has had a career spanning teaching, research and service across a broad range of topics and interests in her field.
This work was rewarded this year as she was promoted to the rank of full professor, the first time a female has achieved that rank in the Social Work department since UNBC’s inception.
“Attaining a full professorship is a childhood dream come to fruition,” says Margolin. “I wanted to go into psychology to help ease others’ suffering and here I am in the helping professions—I feel humbled and grateful beyond expression.”
Margolin’s career has included an academic career in researching and teaching the potency and potential of ancient eastern and western systems of healing and holistic wellbeing. Her research has been published in top-tier journals, including Qualitative Inquiry and Methods in Psychology, and has served on the Northern FIRE Leadership team, contributing to such critical work as the 2024 Resource Guide for Survivors of Violence in Northern BC. Margolin was also the Vancouver lead for UNBC’s social work program that successfully graduated three cohorts of students, most of whom obtained successful employment in community, clinical, and research positions.
“I hope this success can serve as a beacon of inspiration and help pave the way for gender equity in academic institutions,” adds Margolin. “I am ready for my next journey to center spirituality in academia and across the globe to inspire future leaders to continue the fight for individual and collective freedom.”
Margolin joined Dr. Caroline Sanders from the School of Nursing as one of the two faculty members to be named full professors this year. Sanders, a pediatric nurse and scholar for almost 40 years, came to live in Canada eight years ago from the United Kingdom.
“As an international nurse (IEN), later in my career, making the transition was complex yet the support from UNBC and northern community has been exceptional,” she explains. “Practicing as a nurse in Canada and building a research program working with children, youth and their families in the North is a career highlight.”
Sanders continues to support IENs, through research and partnerships by co-creating opportunities for those in northern B.C. to re-enter the healthcare workforce.
Promotion in the academic world is a demanding process, according to UNBC Provost and Vice-President Academic, Dr. Bill Owen.
“It requires expertise, diligence, and perseverance, qualities these candidates have demonstrated through their professionalism and perseverance,” he says. “Seeing two women promoted to the rank of full professor at UNBC is incredibly important, a remarkable outcome that further elevates the stature of our institution.”
The other promotions, awarded on July 1 and celebrated at a special event held Sept. 19 include the following:
Associate Professor
Dr. Daniel Erasmus, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dr. Hossein Kazemian, Department of geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, NALS Director
Dr. Tammy Pearson, Social Work
Dr. Roy Rea, Ecosystem Science and Management
Dr. Catharine Schiller, Nursing
Dr. John Sherry, Psychology
Tenured and Associate Professor
Dr. Erin Baerwald, Ecosystem Science and Management
Dr. Heather Bryan, Ecosystem Science and Management
Dr. Kendra Furber, Northern Medical Program
Senior Laboratory Instructors (SLI)
Maik Gehloff, SLI IV, Engineering
Dr. Nikhil Aravindakshan, Continuing and SLI II, Chemistry/Biology
Lena MacBlain, Continuing and SLI II, Nursing
Dr. Deborah Carter, Continuing, Nursing
“These faculty members, like all faculty members at UNBC, demonstrate a significant commitment to their discipline, students, and the University community and cultivate an environment of excellence, innovation and inclusivity,” adds Owen. “It’s exciting to celebrate their achievements with them.”