Nagissa Mahmoudi appointed Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs and Development
The Faculty of Science is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Nagissa Mahmoudi (Earth and Planetary Sciences) as the inaugural Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs and Development. She began her five-year term on October 1.
In this new role, Prof. Mahmoudi will support incoming Assistant Professors in the Faculty of Science through the creation of a mentorship network and will help develop programs to support the continued professional development of faculty members at all stages of their careers.
“The creation of this new role reflects the importance of building a supportive environment for our faculty members throughout their careers,” said Alanna Watt, Dean of the Faculty of Science. “I'm delighted that Professor Mahmoudi will be leading this portfolio as we continue to strengthen opportunities for mentorship and professional development across the Faculty of Science.”
Following postdoctoral appointments at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Harvard University, Mahmoudi joined McGill’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences as an Assistant Professor in 2018. She is also a member of the Trottier Space Institute and an associate member in the Department of Biology, and was named a William Dawson Scholar in 2025.
A geomicrobiologist, Mahmoudi investigates how microorganisms shape the chemistry of our planet, both today and throughout Earth's history. Her group studies the ecology and evolution of microorganisms that drive carbon and nutrient cycling in the oceans. She is a recipient of the Geological Society of America's Pre-tenure Excellence Award in Geobiology and Geomicrobiology and has been named both a Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow and a Scialog Fellow.
Mahmoudi has long been invested in bringing researchers together. She chaired the local organizing committee for the 2026 Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference in Montréal, co-hosted the 2025 Northeast Geobiology Meeting at McGill, and has organized several workshops that brought scientists from across disciplines and institutions to Montréal.
As Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs and Development, Mahmoudi will also support initiatives related to the Sustainability Park and lead processes for adjunct, visiting and emeritus appointments across the Faculty of Science.
“I'm grateful for the opportunity to help shape what faculty affairs and development can look like in the Faculty of Science,” said Mahmoudi. “I'm looking forward to finding ways to help new faculty get off to a strong start and to recognize the great work our colleagues do. McGill has given me a wonderful place to grow as a scientist, and I'm glad to have the chance to give back.”