Husky Energy Chair in Oil and Gas Research appointed at Memorial University

St John’s, NL – Memorial University’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science has a new research chair. Dr. Brian Veitch, a professor of ocean and naval architectural engineering, has been appointed the new Husky Energy Chair in Oil and Gas Research.

The $2.5-million endowment for the Husky Energy Chair in Oil and Gas Research was initiated in 2003 by Husky Energy. The current focus of the chair is to undertake an innovative research program in offshore oil and gas research, with particular emphasis on offshore engineering for harsh ocean and Arctic environments.

“The Husky Chair in Oil and Gas Research will support further understanding of harsh environment operations and underscores Husky’s commitment to help develop the province’s engineering capability in this very challenging area,” said Malcolm Maclean, senior vice-president for Husky Energy’s Atlantic Region. “We look forward to working with Dr. Veitch to make the chair a key part of the local research and education community.”

Dr. Veitch grew up in St. John’s and graduated with a bachelor of engineering degree, followed by a master of engineering degree from Memorial University. He completed further graduate studies at Helsinki University of Technology, where he focused on naval architecture and ocean engineering.

Dr. Veitch returned to Canada in 1996 to work with the National Research Council. In 1998, he was appointed to the Terra Nova Project Junior Research Chair at Memorial, where he developed an applied research program on ocean environmental risk engineering. In parallel, he initiated an inter-disciplinary research program on offshore and maritime safety with the goal of improving the safety of life at sea.

“I am honoured and delighted to have the opportunity to serve as the Husky Energy chair,” said Dr. Veitch. “I look forward to working in partnership with Husky Energy to develop an interdisciplinary research, development and innovation program focused on offshore engineering. Through our work, we aim to create an exciting teaching and learning environment for students and researchers alike, with the ultimate goal of having positive, practical impact on the industry.”