James Olson

PhD, P.Eng.

Dr. James Olson, PhD, P.Eng., is currently serving his second five-year term as dean of the Faculty of Applied Science at the University of British Columbia. He is also a professor of mechanical engineering. A former associate dean of research and industry partnerships and past director of UBC’s Pulp and Paper Centre, Dr. Olson is an internationally recognized expert in forest products. His work has contributed to the sector’s evolution into a dynamic bio-products industry. A Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, Dr. Olson has received two NSERC Synergy Awards, the 2008 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Innovation, the 2009 Fundamental Research Committee’s Van den Akker Gold Medal, and several best paper awards.