April 24, 2007

PREMIER'S DISCOVERY AWARDS

The Premier's Discovery Awards recognize the individual achievements of Ontario's most eminent senior researchers, whose work enhances the province's reputation as a globally competitive research centre. Nominees are evaluated on the national and international impact of their work and its contributions to Ontario's economy, society and sustainable development.

This new awards program recognizes excellence in research for either a single discovery or a body of work in four categories:

• Life sciences and medicine ($500,000)
• Natural sciences and engineering ($500,000)
• Social sciences and humanities ($250,000)
• Innovation leadership ($250,000)

Life Sciences and Medicine

Spencer C.H. Barrett
University of Toronto
Toronto

A pioneer in preserving biodiversity
Invasion biology is now widely considered to be one of the key threats to biodiversity and the health of the ecosystem. Since the biodiversity of our planet is crucial to purifying water, cleansing air and maintaining soil integrity, the impact of Dr. Spencer Barrett's work is felt everywhere. A pioneer in the field, he has had great influence on the understanding of biological invasions, weed management strategies and conservation biology.

As a leading international authority on plant science, ecology and evolutionary biology, Dr. Barrett has played a major role in the increased interest in invasion biology. He leads a world-renowned research group working on the genetics and evolution of plant reproduction at the University of Toronto, where he holds a Canada Research Chair. He has published more than 200 research articles, spoken at numerous international symposia, organized workshops and taught in countries around the world. A recent workshop series in China gave scientists the tools and concepts they need to help preserve biodiversity.

Dr. Barrett's lab at the University of Toronto has attracted many talented graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and visiting scientists.  Dr. Barrett was recognized by the Swedish Academy of Science, where he was chosen to present his work as a distinguished evolutionary biologist. He is also one of the few Canadian biologists to be elected to the Royal Society of Canada and the Royal Society of London.

 

Natural Sciences and Engineering

Andreas Mandelis
University of Toronto
Toronto

Research with practical and scientific applications
Dr. Andreas Mandelis has had an international impact on the science and engineering of diffusion waves. A leading applied physicist and instrumentation scientist, he led the way in the development and shaping of diffusion wave sciences and associated technologies. Over the past 30 years, his wide-ranging research has helped define the discipline, and extended its range to practical uses in materials research, industrial process quality control, dental caries diagnosis and soft tissue imaging.

As professor in the University of Toronto's mechanical and industrial engineering department, Dr. Mandelis co-developed photopyroelectric spectroscopy, a thermal wave technique that is now a standard used worldwide in research and practical applications such as food science, semiconductor properties, material science and agricultural and environmental monitoring. In 1995, he pioneered the Thermal-Wave Resonant Cavity, which scientists now use to gain new insights into molecular thermophysics, kinetic theory and the infrared emissivity of fluids.

Dr. Mandelis has also moved his research to the marketplace, launching Photo-Thermal Diagnostics Inc., a Toronto company that markets quality control instruments for semiconductor and metal hardness inspection. The company recently signed a contract to build laser-based steel hardness inspection systems for Italy's largest aerospace firm. Dr. Mandelis recently started another spin-off company to produce equipment for the early detection of dental caries, and is currently at work on a new tissue imaging technology for tumor monitoring.

 

Social Sciences and Humanities

Regna Darnell
The University of Western Ontario
London

Academic work helps shape public policy
Dr. Regna Darnell's research is devoted to understanding the society in which she lives and works. She explores the relationships of First Nations people and communities with the larger Ontario and Canadian society, and illuminates the cross-cultural mis-communications that can lead to stereotyping and discrimination. Her work has enhanced Canada's contributions to the discipline, and challenged her fellow academics to conduct meaningful dialogue with the communities they study.

By analyzing the evolving role of First Nations people in Canadian society, her academic work has important implications for public policy. Dr. Darnell is a Distinguished University Professor of Anthropology and First Nations Studies at the University of Western Ontario, where she was also founding director of the First Nations Studies Program. A fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, she has conducted first-hand ethnographic research among the Plains Cree of northern Alberta and the Algonquian and Iroquoian peoples of southwestern Ontario. 

Internationally recognized as Canada's foremost historian of anthropology, Dr. Darnell's books include a biography of Canada's first professional anthropologist. Combining theory and practice in the study of First Nations people, her work highlights the importance of interdisciplinary cross-fertilization. She has organized three international conferences for scholars in anthropology, linguistics, history and Native Studies. A recent conference (Historicizing Canadian Anthropology) drew international attention to the uniqueness of the Canadian encounter with First Nations traditions.

 

Innovation Leadership

Aaron Fenster
Robarts Research Institute
London

Providing new insights into common diseases
Dr. Aaron Fenster's career is distinguished by his vision for the transfer of both knowledge and technology. By founding Imaging Research Laboratories in London, he has created an entrepreneurial environment that supports technology development, intellectual property protection, and technology transfer. His approach uses an inter-disciplinary, team-based method to move research from the lab to the patient.

Dr. Fenster's innovations in 3D ultrasound technology provide new insights into common diseases such as carotid artery disease, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. His lab has generated 26 patents in the past 10 years, including the first 3D colour Doppler and prostate 3D ultrasound imaging systems. Innovations from his lab have produced two spin-off companies, Life Imaging Systems and Enhanced Vision Systems. Many of his patents have been licensed to industry and are in use worldwide.

Dr. Fenster has set a shining example of leadership for imaging researchers at Robarts Research Institute over the past 20 years. Under his leadership, the University of Western Ontario established a graduate program in biomedical engineering, and is also focusing on giving other students the trans-disciplinary background they need to be leaders in academia and industry. He is also a co-founder of Imaging Network Ontario, a consortium of medical imaging scientists.

 

Premier's Discovery Awards Panel

Geoffrey Flynn (Chair)
Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry, Queen's University

 

Life Sciences and Medicine Sub-Panel

Brenda Andrews
Chair of Banting and Best Medical Research Unit, University of Toronto
Director of Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research

Max Blouw
President-Elect, Wilfrid Laurier University, formerly Vice-President Research University of Northern British Columbia

David Hill
Scientific Director, Lawson Health Research Institute
Integrated Vice President Research, London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Hospital

Tito Scaiano
Canada Research Chair in Applied Photochemistry, University of Ottawa
Premier's Platinum Award Medal

 

Natural Sciences and Engineering Sub-Panel

Mahesh Chaturvedi
University Distinguished Professor and Tier-1 Canada Research Chair, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Manitoba

John Grace

Professor, Canada Research Chair and Director Fluidization Research Centre, University of British Columbia

Rick Holt
Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Queen's University
NSERC Industrial Research Chair, Nuclear Materials

Ronald Mann

Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada

 

Social Sciences and Humanities Sub-Panel

David Cameron
Chair of Political Science Department, University of Toronto

Susan Horton
Vice-President Academic, Wilfrid Laurier University

Alex Michalos
Professor Emeritus, University of Northern British Columbia
Director of the Institute for Social Research and Evaluation, University of Northern British Columbia

Brian Timney
Dean of Social Science, University of Western Ontario

 

Innovation Leadership Sub-Panel

A.E. (Ted) Dixon
Professor Emeritus, University of Waterloo
CEO of Biomedical Photometrics, Inc.

Peter Frise
Executive Director of Automotive Research and Studies
Professor, Mechanical Engineering Design, University of Windsor
 
John Molloy
President and CEO PARTEQ Innovations, Technology Transfer Arm of Queen's University

Tim Walzak
President and CEO of Innovation and Development Corporation, University of Victoria

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