The University of Guelph is pleased to announce the reappointment of Dr. Mazyar Fallah as dean of the College of Biological Science (CBS).
Fallah begins a second five-year term Jan. 1, 2026.
Fallah joined the University in 2021 as dean of CBS and professor in the Department of Human Health Sciences.
"Being dean of the College of Biological Science is both a pleasure and an honour," Fallah says. "As the only college of biological science in Canada, we are unique in our integrated approach to the life sciences."
CBS is a globally recognized academic faculty that produces innovative research in a student-centred learning environment. It offers 12 undergraduate and 12 graduate degree programs across three departments: Human Health Sciences, Integrative Biology and Molecular and Cellular Biology.
Canada's only academic faculty solely devoted to biological science
Since joining CBS, Fallah has championed the college both nationally and internationally as a hub for biological science education and research. He has helped raise U of G's reputation as a destination for pre-medical studies, highlighting CBS's strengths in health sciences and its opportunities for undergraduate students to learn anatomy through experiential learning.
The college continues to invest in these areas of strength, with plans underway to expand graduate studies offerings in medical and health sciences.
CBS is world-renowned for its expertise in ecology and evolutionary biology, as well as microbiology and genetics. It is home to the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, which houses the world's largest DNA barcoding library.
"We've worked together to build on CBS's academic and research success over the past five years, and I am grateful for this opportunity to continue to serve the college and the University," Fallah says. "I look forward to seeing all that we can accomplish in the next five years."
U of G ranked 6th in Canada for Life Sciences
Under Fallah's leadership, the University of Guelph has ranked 6th for Life Sciences in Canada, and among the top 150 universities for Life Sciences in the world, according the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Prior to U of G, Fallah served as associate dean, research and innovation at the Faculty of Health at York University. He joined York in 2005 as a professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science.
Fallah earned his BA in biology from Johns Hopkins University, and an MA in psychology and PhD in psychology and neuroscience from Princeton University. He was a post-doctoral researcher in the Systems Neurobiology Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif.
His area of focus, the neurophysiology of cognitive processes, has secured millions of dollars in external research funding. Fallah is a member of the Society for Neuroscience and has authored numerous scientific publications.
"We are pleased to have Fallah continue serving CBS as dean," says Dr. Bill Rosehart, provost and vice-president (academic). "It was clear in the review process that Fallah brings his unique and exceptional expertise to the role."
Rosehart served as chair of the review committee which considered feedback from CBS faculty, staff, students and post-docs in its decision to re-appoint Fallah.
"He has proven to be an energetic and visionary leader with a track record of driving strategic change and is well-positioned to continue the work he started in the last five years to further the success of CBS."
