The UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Aaron Beedle as Associate Dean, Academic, effective August 15, 2025. Dr. Beedle brings an impressive combination of scientific expertise, educational leadership, and administrative experience to the Faculty.
Acknowledging Outstanding Service
As we welcome Dr. Beedle to this important role, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Sandra Jarvis-Selinger, who has served with distinction as Associate Dean, Academic for two five-year terms. Dr. Jarvis-Selinger's decade of dedicated leadership has been instrumental in advancing the Faculty's academic programs and fostering excellence in pharmacy education. We are grateful that she will continue as a valued member of our Faculty, where her expertise and institutional knowledge will remain invaluable assets to our community.
Research Excellence and Academic Background
Dr. Beedle earned her PhD in neuroscience from the University of Calgary, focusing on voltage-gated calcium channels with implications for pain modulation. Following postdoctoral training at the University of Iowa in mouse genetics and muscular dystrophy, she launched her independent research program at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in 2010, investigating muscle regeneration and signaling processes in muscular dystrophies.
Since 2017, Dr. Beedle has served as a tenured associate professor at Binghamton University's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, where she was founding vice-chair and later chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her research has been supported by funding from the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Leadership and Teaching Excellence
At Binghamton University, Dr. Beedle has taken on significant leadership roles including chair of the Faculty Senate (2023–25) and Campus Governance Leader (2022–25). She has coordinated and taught integrated courses in the PharmD program and was recognized as a Lilly Teaching Fellow at the University of Georgia for her excellence in education.
Getting to Know Dr. Beedle: A Conversation with Our New Associate Dean
We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Beedle about her new role and vision for the Faculty. Here's what she shared:
What drew you to the Associate Dean, Academic position at UBC's Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences?
I was interested in an Associate Dean-type of position. Having spent all of my tenure-track/tenured faculty time in schools of pharmacy, being Canadian, and having a desire to move west, this position was a strong match for both my professional and personal goals. When I considered the strength and reputation of the Faculty and found the position portfolio to be well-aligned with my experience, I knew I had to apply.
You've had experience in both neuroscience and muscular dystrophy research. How do you see interdisciplinary research playing a role in pharmaceutical sciences education?
Interdisciplinary research is really the key to advancement and innovation around difficult questions. As a scientist, I primarily worked in the areas of neuroscience and muscular dystrophy, but I have disciplinary training in aspects of biophysics, molecular biology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, pharmacology, histology, genetic models of disease, etc. I believe that progress is made by following the research question, wherever it may lead, which often crosses disciplinary boundaries. That means that new expertise and collaboration are important. Plus, scientific methodology keeps advancing—a new technology in another discipline can suddenly open doors to answer questions and solve problems in pharmaceutical sciences. This concept certainly translates to the educational realm, both in the sense that advances in learning from different disciplines can improve our educational delivery and the student experience in the pharmaceutical sciences and that our goal is to prepare our students for fields that are evolving, in part due to interdisciplinary and interprofessional influences.
Coming from your leadership roles at Binghamton University, what are some key priorities you hope to focus on in your new position at UBC?
Some priorities that come to mind are: promoting a positive and inclusive culture/community, a focus on sustainability (of programs, resources, personnel, etc.), and pursuit of excellence across our domains of teaching, research and service. From my prior leadership in institutional faculty governance, I also think about how we fit into the broader institution and community, recognizing that we can benefit, provide value, and enhance our impact by good stewardship of internal and external partnerships.
You've been recognized for excellence in teaching throughout your career. What teaching philosophy do you bring to pharmaceutical education?
I think there are three main elements to my teaching. First, I believe in bringing a joie de vivre to the classroom to share my excitement in teaching, because I can't expect a student to be interested in learning if it doesn't seem that I'm interested in teaching. Second, I strive for clarity in my materials, explanations, and expectations. Third, I care. I care about helping students reach their potential and learning about their goals and challenges.
What excites you most about joining the UBC community in Vancouver?
Having a positive impact is key to me for professional fulfillment. I see so much opportunity here for me to support the students, faculty and staff in achieving their best outcomes to advance the collective success of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. On a personal note, I have a kayak and some skis that are suffering from neglect, so I'm hoping to make use of them on occasion after I get settled into my new role.
Dr. Beedle will work closely with faculty, staff, and students to advance the Faculty's academic programs and support continued innovation in pharmaceutical sciences education. The Faculty looks forward to her contributions as she begins this new role.