McMaster University, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Neutrons Canada have announced the appointments of Dr. John Root as executive director and Dr. Bruce Gaulin as scientific director of Neutrons Canada.
Established in 2022 as a not-for-profit corporation, Neutrons Canada has 16 academic and industrial members. The purpose of Neutrons Canada is to govern, manage, and represent Canada's infrastructure program for research and development with neutron beams. The organization grew out of the Canadian Neutron Initiative, a collaborative effort led by USask and McMaster to secure Canada's long-term capacity in neutron science.
Today, the corporation is the primary voice of the scientific community for engagement with government stakeholders in advancing a pan-Canadian capacity for materials research with neutron beams, which are uniquely powerful probes of materials and objects to accelerate scientific research and technological advancements.
"As Canada prepares to make significant investments in defence and civil infrastructure, it is imperative to also strengthen our national research infrastructure, empowering Canadians to work at the leading edges of science and engineering technologies in support of national sovereignty, economic security and independence through Canadian-made innovation," said Dr. John Barrett, chair of the Neutrons Canada Board of Directors.
"Whether for energy grids, pipelines, ports, mines, manufacturing or other applications essential to an advanced economy a world-class infrastructure for neutron beam research is needed to sustain and expand Canadian leadership in this strategic scientific capability. The proven as well as promising applications of neutron-beam research will help us to ensure safety, security, and competitiveness in strengthening Canada for the future."
As executive director, Root is the chief executive officer, responsible for implementing the strategic plans and policies and for general supervision of the affairs of Neutrons Canada.
"We are offering leadership to ensure Canadian researchers can access uniquely powerful neutron-beam methods for their programs of innovation and education, aiming to attract a new generation of scientists to address Canada's strategic priorities," Root said.
Gaulin, who holds the Brockhouse Chair in the Physics of Materials at McMaster University, and will serve as a key advisor to the Board on the scientific ecosystem. He is responsible for the scientific strategy of Neutrons Canada.
"Neutron scattering is a powerful vehicle for knowledge creation across a broad spectrum of new and technologically relevant materials, said Gaulin. "I'm very pleased to be able to contribute to this important and unique national science program."
Both positions are key resources for Neutrons Canada's government relations and are functionally accountable to the Board of Directors, which is elected by member institutions that conduct research with neutron beams.
Dr. John Root - Executive Director
Dr. John Root brings extensive leadership and expertise to Neutrons Canada. In 2011, he established the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation, Inc. (the Fedoruk Centre) at USask to help position Saskatchewan among global leaders in nuclear research, development, and education. Between 2017 and 2025, he served as executive director of the Fedoruk Centre, where he played a pivotal role in supporting the Canadian Neutron Initiative working group, an effort that culminated in the creation of Neutrons Canada. Previously, Root led the NRC's Canadian Neutron Beam Centre (CNBC) for 20 years, overseeing a team of 20 expert researchers and technicians who supported a user community of about 800 research participants from over 20 Canadian universities and more than 100 international institutions. His leadership at the CNBC contributed to significant advancements in transportation safety, manufacturing competitiveness, infrastructure management, and fundamental scientific research.
His leadership of Neutrons Canada will be instrumental in leading the organization's strategy, government relations, and operations into the future.
Dr. Bruce Gaulin - Scientific Director
Dr. Bruce Gaulin's extensive background and commitment to advancing neutron scattering research make him a tremendous asset to Neutrons Canada. He has previously served as director of the Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research and has held leadership roles in prominent scientific organizations, including the Canadian Institute for Neutron Scattering, the Neutron Scattering Society of America, and the Canadian Association of Physicists. Currently, Gaulin is a Distinguished University Professor and Brockhouse Chair in the Physics of Materials at McMaster University. His achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, such as the Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, the Killam Research Fellowship, and the Brockhouse Medal for Excellence in Condensed Matter Physics.
His leadership will be pivotal in shaping the organization's scientific priorities and strengthening partnerships both nationally and internationally within the research community.
