ISEEE names new boss

By Sarelle Azuelos

Another step has been taken in the eventual completion of the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy.

Dr. David Layzell of Queens University in Kingston, Ontario has been hired by the University of Calgary to become ISEEE’s new executive director. ISEEE will be a combination of research, teaching and communication with industry and government leaders. Interdisciplinary programs will merge aspects of the three to address the complex issues surrounding today’s society and its environmental attitudes. Layzell–arriving on campus Jul. 1­–is hoping the research will result in real change.

“Out of the whole ISEEE name, one word that I’m most excited about is the ‘and’,” said Layzell. “We are looking to find new energy sources as we start to run out of fossil fuels. This energy needs to be more sustainable in the way we produce it in terms of its environmental sustainability and also its eco- nomic and social sustainability.”

ISEEE’s current budget totals $260 million and will house roughly 1,000 new student spaces along with new chemistry and biology labs. The current completion date is fall 2010, but space on campus has already been set aside for Layzell’s arrival. Layzell was hoping for financial interest from local companies due to the fact that Alberta is home to major oil and gas corporations.

“[Calgary] is the energy capital of Canada and, one could argue, North America,” he said. “It is a place where you’ve got the companies that can make things happen. You’ve got the province that can actually make major movement towards real solutions and seeing them implemented.”

His initial plan is to meet with those working on the project. The goal of ISEEE isn’t to create new programs, but to complement and supplement existing programs.

“I’ve got a lot to learn,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of people to talk to the U of C. I want to tap into their ideas and their visions for the future.”