Dr. Geoff Payne is president and vice-chancellor of the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). Prior to taking on this role, he served as the vice-president, research since 2015. Geoff is also a professor with the division of medical sciences in the field of vascular physiology. During his time at UNBC, Geoff has served in a number of leadership roles including the inaugural assistant dean, education and research between 2009 to 2015 and founding director, UNBC Health Research Institute.

Geoff came to UNBC in June 2004 as founding faculty of the medical school following a post-doctoral fellowship at Yale University in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology and John B. Pierce Laboratory. He holds a PhD from Memorial University of Newfoundland in the field of cardiovascular and renal physiology, and maintains an active biomedical research program with interests in vascular physiology and inflammation.