Faculty, staff, students, friends, and family were on hand June 22 to celebrate Dr. Lucy Lee on her upcoming retirement. It was a wonderful afternoon hearing others talk about how Lucy has touched their lives.
Dr. Lucy Lee came to UFV in 2012 from Wilfrid Laurier University where she excelled as both a professor and Department Chair of Biology. She brought with her a wide range of experience and passion for the sciences. UFV was relatively young at that time and she felt that her skills and experience could have an impact on a new and innovative university.
I came to UFV because I wanted to see what impact I could have on a new university, to give them that research opportunity.
Holding a PhD in cell biology from the University of Waterloo, she specializes in fish cell culture. Over the years she has published about 20 fish cell lines from different species and cell types: rainbow trout liver, goldfish skin, haddock embryos, eel brain, and cod larvae to name a few. Her research has given her the opportunity to travel the world as an invited speaker, collaborating with industry, attending conferences with her research students all while working on UFV internationalization initiatives.
Dr. Lee has managed to balance her administrative duties as Dean and research while maintaining her status as one of the top fish cell culturists in the world. She continues to publish, present, and supervise several undergraduate and post-graduate students throughout her 11 years as Dean. A number of her students have followed their own paths of related research.
So, after August 31st what will she be up to? Well, she will be doing what she loves, research. If she’s not travelling around the world presenting, you will likely find her in the Lee Lab (named after her and her colleague, Dr. Justin Lee) conducting research on fish cell culture. She will continue to publish and mentor students.
Lucy has been a leader and ambassador for the Faculty of Science, and the university as a whole. Her wisdom and passion will be missed by the many faculty, staff, and administrators who worked with her at UFV.
Lucy’s parting gift to the university was establishing a Bursary and Entrance Scholarship which are near and dear to her.
- Women in Need Annual Bursary: Available to a student who identifies as female enrolled in the Faculty of Science who can demonstrate financial need.
- Faculty of Science Annual Entrance Scholarship for Aboriginal Students: Available to an Aboriginal student entering the Faculty of Science directly from high school.
Thank you Lucy for always supporting our team with your constant positivity and encouragement. We will miss you!
