Roger G. H. Downer

Downer spent most of his academic career at the University of Waterloo, where he held successively the positions of assistant professor, associate professor and professor of biology and was cross-appointed to the Department of Chemistry. He spent sabbatical leaves at the Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, and the Department of Biochemistry, Oxford University.[3] During his tenure at the University of Waterloo, Professor Downer was an early recipient of the university's annual Distinguished Teacher Award.

Downer was the author or co-author of 164 scientific papers and/or chapters, and editor or co-editor of four books.[4] Thirty-eight postgraduate students or post-doctoral researchers studied in his laboratory. The primary thrust of his research was directed towards an understanding of the biochemistry and physiology of insects and resulted in his consulting with a number of multinational agrichemical companies in the general area of insecticide discovery.[5]

At the University of Waterloo, Downer was head of the Department of Biology, as well as acting dean of science, and vice-president, external, and he has served also as president and chief executive, Asian Institute of Technology (1996-1998); president and vice-chancellor, University of Limerick (1998-2006). During his tenure at the University of Limerick, there was marked increase in student numbers and research productivity (postgraduate student numbers, research income and research output), he oversaw substantial physical expansion of the university and a new postgraduate entry medical school was announced one month after his retirement.[6]

Other senior leadership roles include: chair, Canadian Heads of University Biology Departments; president, Canadian Society of Zoologists; vice-president, Biological Council of Canada; vice-president, Huntsman Marine Biology Laboratory; chair, Council of Heads of Irish Universities; co-founder and co-chair, Irish Universities Association; member of council of European Universities Association; chair, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Grant Selection Committee in Zoology; chair, NSERC Grant Selection Committee in Food and Agriculture; member National Science Foundation Grant Selection Committee in Regulatory Biology; chair of numerous institutional and disciplinary review committees in North America, Asia and Europe; member of Quality Assessment panels in North America and Europe; chair, Planning Committee for establishment of University of Luxembourg.

Downer has served as non-executive director of Westaim Corporation,[7] Nucryst Pharmaceuticals, Shannon Development Corporation, Waterloo Economic Development Committee, Canadian Clay and Glass Museum, JF Kennedy Foundation, Irish Peace Institute (Chair), National Portrait Collection (Chair), Birr Scientific and Heritage Foundation (Chair), Hunt Museum (Chair), Munster Rugby Board (Chair), Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Irish Rugby Players Association Player Services Council, UL Bohemians Rugby Football Club (co-president), Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership, Irish Red Cross, Washington Ireland Programme, JP McManus All Ireland Scholarships, Royal Irish Academy (Senior Vice-president).