Savvas Chamberlain
À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Electrical Engineering Professor
1969 – 1994
Founder of DALSA Corporation
Savvas ChamberlainÌýisÌýmany things includingÌýa scientist, inventor,ÌýentrepreneurÌýand professor.
AsÌýaÌýÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌýelectrical engineeringÌýfaculty member,ÌýChamberlainÌýinvented many silicon image sensors, introduced new technology andÌýdevices,Ìýand developed some fundamental theories.ÌýWith the support of the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, he founded DALSAÌýCorporation,Ìýa global leader in the design and manufacturing of high-performance digital imaging and semiconductors.
He is currently the CEO of EXEL Research Inc.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Born in Cyprus, Chamberlain couldn’t finish his high school education due to the struggle of Cyprus trying to gain independence from the United Kingdom.
Because he was a British citizen by birth, Chamberlain was able to travel to London, England where after a year of studying he was able to pass the entrance exams for university. ÌýHe successfully completed a professional designation, which at the time was equivalent to a BSc.
After receiving a scholarship from the London County Council, he went to Southhampton University for a master’s degree followed by a PhD in electronics and biology. After Chamberlain finished his doctorate, he had the opportunity to work in biomedical research but turned it down.
WATERLOO ENGINEERING ACADEMIC CAREER
In 1969, Chamberlain joined theÌýUniversity of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌýasÌýan electrical engineering professorand performed research in the field of semiconductor devices and integrated circuits for over 25 years.
In the 1970s,ÌýChamberlainÌýhelpedÌýmodernizeÌýthe curriculum byÌýdevelopingÌýnew undergraduate and graduate À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ electrical engineering courses and launchingundergraduate laboratories.
His industrial experience includes research work with IBM and other companies. He has published more than 150 papers in scientific journals focusing on CCDs and semiconductor devices and has authored and co-authored more than 20 patentsÌýin the area ofÌýimage sensors.
ChamberlainÌýwasÌýhonouredÌýasÌýaÌýdistinguishedÌýprofessorÌýemeritus of theÌýUniversity of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌýin 1999 and was awarded a Doctor of EngineeringÌý(DEng)Ìýfrom the University in 2007.ÌýHeÌýbecame aÌýmember of the Order of CanadaÌýin 2009.
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LEGACY AND INFLUENCE
InventorÌýand company founder
WhileÌýatÌýÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ,ÌýChamberlainÌýinvented many silicon image sensors, introduced new technologyÌýonÌýMOSFETÌýandÌýcharge-coupled devices,Ìýand developed some fundamental theories.
Using technology thatÌýheÌýdevelopedÌýatÌýÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ,ÌýChamberlainÌýfoundedÌýDALSA CorporationÌýin 1980 (nowÌýTeledyne DALSA).ÌýWhile he was the CEO, the corporation became a leading international corporation in the digital imaging sector. He remained CEO until August 2007 and resigned as chairmanÌýof the corporation inÌý2011.
Investing in Canadian tech companies
AsÌýthe currentÌýCEO andÌýchairman of EXEL Research Inc., Chamberlain is involved in investing in technology companies and helping moveÌýthemÌýto a profitable and lasting growth stage.
He is passionate about identifying innovations in the high-techÌýsectorÌýareaÌýand believes that commercializingÌýthemÌýin Canada will lead to the creation ofÌýhigh-qualityÌýjobsÌýand wealthÌýthat willÌýbenefitÌýsociety.
Savvas Chamberlain Family FoundationÌý
In December 2010,ÌýChamberlainÌýfounded and fundedÌýthe Savvas Chamberlain Family Foundation, a charitable organizationÌýthatÌýprovides funding for projectsÌýto supportÌýeducation, health, arts and culture,Ìýthe disadvantaged,Ìýand the preservation of the environment.Ìý
ChamberlainÌýand his familyÌýbackÌýa variety of scholarshipsÌýforÌýÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ EngineeringÌýundergraduate and graduateÌýstudents and donated $3 million towards the building of Engineering 5. Their generosity was recognized with the designation of the Savvas ChamberlainÌýFamilyÌýFloor in Engineering 5.Ìý