John de Bruyn is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Western Ontario, where he served as Department Chair from 2005-2010. His five-year term as Chair of the Department was completed in the summer of 2010. Prior to moving to Western in 2005, he was on the faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland for 16 years. His core research interests focus on experimental studies of soft materials such as gels, polymers, and granular media, using techniques such as flow visualization, light scattering, microscopy, and rheometry. John is also involved in collaborative projects relating to the prevention of kidney stones, the design of offshore anchors, and the aerodynamics of birds, among others. He served as an Associate Editor of CJP from 1999 to 2003. He was a CAP Councillor from 1991 to 1993 and the Chair of the Division of Condensed Matter Physics in 1996-97. Dr. de Bruyn served on the CAP-NSERC Liaison Committee from 2006 to 2009 and has also served on committees for the American Physical Society and NSERC. He is a licensed P.Phys..