Welcome to Memorial University's Faculty of Science.

I am thrilled to join you as the new Dean of the Faculty of Science at Memorial, and to continue empowering our future scientists, like you, to reach for the stars and make your mark on the scientific community.

Our wonderfully diverse Faculty is a vibrant hub of discovery and innovation, just waiting for you to dive in and find your passion. To help prepare you to embark on your exciting academic journey, I'd like to share with you what you have to look forward to.

You will find yourself surrounded by an exceptional team of dedicated faculty members, skilled lab instructors, supportive administrative staff, and enthusiastic teaching assistants in all of our departments. Your classes will be guided by some of the most talented and accomplished instructors, whose expertise and passion for their fields are inspiring.

Your education in science will provide you with valuable skills that go beyond the classroom. You will learn to think critically, analyze data, formulate hypotheses, and test theories. As scientific knowledge and theories evolve, we are committed to offering you the highest quality, modern, engaging, and transformative learning experiences possible while creating an environment that fosters curiosity and excellence.

As you embark on this exciting journey through university, do not hesitate to explore new opportunities, and enjoy the journey! If you come across a course that catches your eye, go for it — whether or not it’s part of your degree requirements. You never know — you might find a new passion that you absolutely love.

Beyond coursework and research, I urge you to embrace a well-rounded experience. Venture out and discover a student organization that resonates with your interests, whether it's joining one of our student societies, engaging in leadership and development opportunities, or connecting with like-minded peers. With over 100 organizations on campus, the possibilities are vast. Our alumni consistently highlight the incredible impact that connections with peers, staff, and faculty have made in their careers.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our academic community. I know you will make us proud!  Please know that the Dean’s office is here for you, so reach out to us any time. 

– James Gauld, Dean of the Faculty of Science

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^{Prof. James Gauld grew up in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia.}

^{He completed a Bachelor of Science (BSc) at the University College of the Northern Territory and BSc Honours degree at the then named Northern Territory University (now Charles Sturt University) in Darwin (Australia). He then obtained his PhD at the Australian National University, Canberra (Australia), in computational chemistry where studies focused on the properties and chemistry of selected small gas-phase radical cations.}

^{Upon completing his doctoral studies he held a postdoctoral fellowship at Uppsala University, Uppsala (Sweden) where he began his life-long interest in using computational chemistry approaches to study the reactions of enzymes.}

^{His introduction to life in Canada began when he then held a Killam Postdoctoral Fellowship at Dalhousie University, Halifax (Canada).}

^{From 2001 - 2025 he was a faculty member at the University of Windsor, Windsor (Ontario) where he taught courses in such areas as introductory biochemistry, and quantum and computational chemistry. His research interest focus is on using computational chemistry to study the catalytic mechanisms and properties of enzymes, particularly those that physiologically or disease important. The goals of our research include not only providing insights into how a specific enzyme functions, but also the origin of the rate-enhancing power of catalysts and, for example, to aid therapeutic drug development.}