Top Ecologist David Schindler Named 2001 Herzberg Winner

Research prize brings his research grants up to $1 million over five years

(Ottawa, Ont.) - The Hon. Dr. Gilbert Normand, Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development), today announced that the University of Alberta's David Schindler has won the 2001 Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering.

The prize guarantees that Dr. Schindler - one of the world's leading environmental scientists - will receive a million dollars from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) for his research over the next five years. For Dr. Schindler, that means an additional $509,125 on top of NSERC's existing investment in his research.

Schindler is a pioneer in the study of freshwater lake systems, who convinced governments in many countries to legislate controls on acid emissions and phosphorus detergents. He was the first researcher to understand how pollution changes lakes and his work has made it possible to reverse the process in thousands of lakes around the world.

The medal will be presented to him tonight at the National Gallery of Canada. The event will also feature an address by His Excellency John Ralston Saul.

"David Schindler is the epitome of the active and engaged scientist. He is passionate about his research and about conveying to Canadians the importance of science in guiding decisions about the natural world," said Dr. Normand, who spoke on behalf of the Honourable Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for NSERC. "The Government of Canada applauds his outstanding scientific career and we extend our best wishes to him as the winner of the 2001 Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering."

"David Schindler is a role model for many young scientists the world over," said Tom Brzustowski, President of NSERC. "He has had an enormous influence beyond his field. Through this award, we hope he will inspire, as does Gerhard Herzberg, future generations of young science students."

The three finalists for the 2001 Herzberg award were Schindler, Donald Mackay of Trent University and Richard Puddephatt of the University of Western Ontario.

The Medal selection process involves both international peer review of the nominees and adjudication by a distinguished NSERC jury. This year's panel was chaired by Dr. Christopher Beaumont, a Dalhousie University researcher and member of NSERC's Council.

The three Prize finalists each receive the NSERC Award of Excellence which consists of a crystal sculpture. Dr. Mackay and Dr. Puddephatt also receive an additional $50,000 each in research support.

Donald Mackay's application of physical chemistry and chemical engineering principles to create what have become known as "Mackay models" has allowed for the prediction of the long-term behaviour and fate of organic chemicals, such as PCB's, in the environment, and for the assessment of human and wildlife exposure.

Richard Puddephatt's research is in the area of the synthesis and use of organometallics. His investigations into the fundamental chemistry of gold and the other so-called noble metals, primarily platinum and palladium, have established a large body of basic understanding that is fuelling novel applications from chemotherapy to nanotechnology.

At the National Gallery event, NSERC will also recognize the winners of NSERC's 2001 Steacie Fellowships and Doctoral Prizes.

Steacie Fellowships are awarded to the most outstanding Canadian university scientists or engineers who have earned their doctorate within the last twelve years. The winners are Dr. Simaan AbouRizk (University of Alberta), Dr. Peter Grütter (McGill University), Dr. Ben Koop (University of Victoria), Dr. Arokia Nathan (University of Waterloo), Dr. Sarah Otto (University of British Columbia) and Dr. Warren Piers (University of Calgary).

The four NSERC Doctoral Prize Silver Medalists are: Dr. Cameron Currie (University of Toronto), Dr. Eldon Emberly (Simon Fraser University), Dr. Yuri Leontiev (University of Alberta) and Dr. Vien Van (University of Waterloo). The medals are awarded for outstanding doctoral studies completed in science and engineering at a Canadian university last year.

At the gala, NSERC will also present the first Howard Alper Postdoctoral Prize. It will go to Dr. Glenn Tattersall of the University of British Columbia. The prize was created by last year's winner of the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering.

NSERC (the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) invests in people, discovery and innovation and is the national instrument for making strategic investments in Canada's capability in science and technology.

For photos and more background information on all the award winners, visit http://www.nserc.ca/about/award_e.htm.

Contacts:

To reach Dr. Schindler on Nov. 5, in Ottawa, call (613) 612-6893 (cell phone) or (613) 995-5997 (to leave a message for him to call you back).

At the University of Alberta, after Nov. 5, (780) 492-8096. E-mail: d.schindler@ualberta.ca.

Arnet Sheppard
NSERC
(613) 995-5997
axs@nserc.ca.