Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal

Theoretical physicist Sajeev John wins prestigious Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal

lanthierj — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 14:52:13 +0000

Theoretical physicist Sajeev John wins prestigious Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Wed, 11/17/2021 - 09:52

Faculty

St. George

Faculty of Arts & Science

Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal

NSERC

landscape

(Photo by Sylvie Li/Shoot Studio)

Sajeev John, a University Professor in the department of physics in the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts & Science, has won the prestigious Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering awarded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

"The University of Toronto congratulates Sajeev John on this important recognition,” says Professor Leah Cowen, U of T’s associate vice-president of research. “From his ground-breaking work on confining and harnessing the flow of photons to his leadership in exploring applications for his research in optical micro-chips, optical communications and information processing, laser technologies, solar energy-harvesting and clinical medicine – his impact has been remarkable.”

Considered Canada’s highest science and engineering honour, the award recognizes the “sustained excellence and overall influence of research work conducted in Canada in the natural sciences or engineering,” according to NSERC and is accompanied by a $1 million grant.

"The Herzberg Gold Medal offers a unique opportunity for creativity and unfettered pursuit of essential applications,” John says, citing examples such as “the world’s most efficient, lightweight silicon solar cells; light-trapping to enhance artificial photosynthesis for solar fuel production; development of the most compact lab-in-a-photonic-crystal sensors for early-stage disease detection and diagnosis; and much more."

John, who holds a Canada Research Chair in optical sciences and was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2017, is “truly deserving” of the honour, says Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science.

"Not only has his work been foundational, it has also had an impact in physics, chemistry, engineering and medicine, and is leading to advancements that are benefiting people’s lives."

Read the U of T News story

Arts & Science

Top Story (Hub page)

Off

U of T researchers recognized with top awards from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

lanthierj — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 14:39:46 +0000

U of T researchers recognized with top awards from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Research & Innovation

Teaching

Community

lanthierj Wed, 11/17/2021 - 09:39

Faculty

St. George

Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship

Faculty of Arts & Science

Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal

NSERC

Synergy Award for Innovation

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

landscape

University of Toronto researchers are being recognized with the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering, the E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship, the Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering and the Synergy Award for Innovation – top honours from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

“The University of Toronto congratulates these remarkable leaders whose research is improving the lives of people across Canada and around the world,” says Professor Leah Cowen, U of T’s associate vice-president of research. “Their work is transforming the worlds of theoretical physics and nanorobotics, and making an impact on everything from the air we breathe to our understanding of ecology and evolutionary biology.”

The prestigious Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering was awarded to Sajeev John, a University Professor in the department of physics in the Faculty of Arts & Science, for discoveries that have driven advances in physics, chemistry, engineering and medicine. Examples include his pioneering research that enables photons to be trapped and controlled in an optical microchip and the invention of Photonic Band Gap (PBG) materials, which allow confinement of photons to a microscopic region the size of the wavelength of light.

The Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering was awarded to a multidisciplinary team of researchers from U of T’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Arts & Science, as well as from McGill University and the Ontario government for developing innovative tools and strategies for studying air pollution and its effects.

An E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship was awarded to Martin Krkošek, an associate professor in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology at the Faculty of Arts & Science, for his research into the disease dynamics between wild and farmed salmon on Canada’s west coast.

A Synergy Award for Innovation recognized Professors Yu Sun, Jane Howe, Tobin Filleter and Doug Perovic from the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering for their longstanding partnership with Hitachi High-Tech Canada (HTC) – a collaboration that has led to numerous scientific discoveries and commercialized products.

UTC

Top Story (Hub page)

Off

Molly Shoichet receives Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering

lanthierj — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 18:21:10 +0000

Molly Shoichet receives Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Tue, 11/10/2020 - 13:21

Faculty

St. George

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

NSERC

Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal

Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry

Women in STEM

landscape

(Photo by Sylvie Li/NSERC/CRSNG)

University Professor Molly Shoichet of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, a world-leading researcher in tissue engineering, has received the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering – Canada’s most prestigious award for science and engineering research.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council award recognizes research contributions characterized by both excellence and influence.

“There are so many exceptional people who’ve won this award,” said Shoichet, a professor of chemical engineering. “To think of my peers putting me in that same category is really incredible.”

A pioneer in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and drug delivery, Shoichet and her team are internationally known for their discovery and innovative use of 3D hydrogels, biomaterials that provide a soft, three-dimensional environment in which to grow cells. Her lab is using these biomaterials to discover drugs for breast and brain cancer and a rare lung disease.

“What’s really wonderful for me in getting this Herzberg Gold Medal is the recognition of the importance of interdisciplinary research, and the recognition of the team – of the brilliant graduate and undergraduate students, post-doctoral fellows, technicians and collaborators with whom I have the privilege to work,” Shoichet said.

Shoichet’s lab has been equally innovative in regenerative medicine strategies to promote repair of the brain after stroke and overcome blindness.

Professor Chris Yip, dean of U of T Engineering called Shoichet “a trailblazer and an inspiration to the engineering and science community, here at U of T, across the country and around the world.

“Her research continues to advance knowledge towards practical, and incredibly vital, applications in human health,” Yip said. “On behalf of the Faculty, my enthusiastic congratulations to Molly on receiving this tremendous honour.”

“The University of Toronto is delighted to see University Professor Molly Shoichet’s ground-breaking work, her leadership and innovation recognized with Canada’s highest honour for science and engineering research,” said University Professor Ted Sargent, U of T’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives. “She has been a passionate advocate for science, generously sharing her expertise with federal and provincial governments, colleagues and students – and her contributions to the cancer community have made a significant impact in Canada and around the world.”

Read the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering story

Read the CBC story

Engineering

Top Story (Hub page)

Off

Barbara Sherwood Lollar wins Herzberg Gold Medal

s.anderson — Mon, 06 May 2019 15:36:22 +0000

Barbara Sherwood Lollar wins Herzberg Gold Medal

Research & Innovation

s.anderson Mon, 05/06/2019 - 11:36

Faculty

St. George

Earth Sciences

Faculty of Arts & Science

Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal

Women in STEM

landscape

(Photo by Perry King)

The University of Toronto’s Barbara Sherwood Lollar has received the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal – the country’s top prize for science and engineering research – for her work on water and the life it supports.

A University Professor in the department of Earth sciences, Sherwood Lollar was recognized for decades-long research into the geochemistry of fluids deep in the Earth’s crust, drinking water remediation and astrobiology. Her work seeks to understand the potential nature of life beyond Earth.

This is the second consecutive year that a U of T researcher has been recognized with the Herzberg.

Read the U of T News story

See a complete list of all U of T researchers who have received this award

UTC

Top Story (Hub page)

Off