Queen's Biologist Wins Top Canadian Science Prize

NSERC awards Dr. John Smol $1 million in research funding

Herzberg Gold Medal to be awarded tonight in Ottawa

Ottawa, Ontario, December 6, 2004 – One of the world’s foremost ecologists is the winner of this year’s Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering.

John P. Smol, a Canada Research Chair at Queen’s University and pioneer in the reconstruction of past environments, will receive the medal honouring the late Canadian Nobel laureate Gerhard Herzberg in a ceremony tonight at the National Gallery of Canada.

The award comes with a guarantee of $1 million in research funding over the next five years from Science and Engineering Research Canada (more commonly known as NSERC).

“The global science community knows Dr. Smol through his groundbreaking papers in top international science journals, and for creating powerful new knowledge and tools for environmental research,” said the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry. “But many Canadians also know him from his tireless efforts to inform the public about the impact of his lake studies. At home and abroad, he is an ambassador for the very best of what Canadian research offers to the world, and his work underscores the vital importance of fundamental research.”

Dr. Smol’s studies of ancient lakes have generated new knowledge about past and present environments, and about what climate change may mean for our future.

“Each year our jury is charged with selecting a winner who best exemplifies Herzberg’s two great qualities as a researcher and leader: his excellence and influence. By both measures, John Smol is an outstanding choice. In transforming his field into an interdisciplinary powerhouse with huge potential, Dr. Smol has energized a whole new generation of environmental scientists,” added NSERC President Tom Brzustowski.

The presentation ceremony at the National Gallery of Canada this evening will also feature an address by the President of the Canadian Space Agency, Marc Garneau.

The three finalists for the 2004 Herzberg Gold Medal were John Smol, André Salama of the University of Toronto and David Dolphin of the University of British Columbia. Drs. Dolphin and Salama each receive the NSERC Award of Excellence, as well as an additional $50,000 in research support.

The Medal selection process involved both international peer review of the nominees and adjudication by a distinguished NSERC jury. This year’s panel was chaired by Dr. Max Blouw, a member of NSERC’s Council and Vice-President (Research) at the University of Northern British Columbia.

Tonight’s event will also celebrate the achievements of NSERC’s major prize winners announced earlier in the year. A full list of winners is presented at the end of this release.

Science and Engineering Research Canada is a key federal agency investing in people, discovery and innovation. It supports both basic university research through research grants, and project research through partnerships among postsecondary institutions, government and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people.

NSERC Awards and Herzberg Medal Presentation

Media may arrange interviews by contacting the NSERC Newsbureau.

For photos and more background information on all NSERC awards and this year’s winners, visit http://www.nserc.gc.ca/about/award_e.htm.

Contact:

Arnet Sheppard
Manager
NSERC Newsbureau
Tel.: (613) 995-5997
Cell: (613) 794-9170
E-mail: axs@nserc.ca

Michael Dwyer
Media and Public Affairs Officer
NSERC Newsbureau
Tel.: (613) 992-9001
E-mail: michael.dwyer@nserc.ca

Stéphanie Leblanc
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
Tel.: (613) 995-9001

Other NSERC Awards to Be Presented Tonight at the National Gallery of Canada

Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering

Awarded for the first time this year, this prize honours the late Canadian Nobel laureate and physicist Bertram Brockhouse. It recognizes outstanding achievement by a team of researchers from different disciplines. The team shares the research prize of $250,000.

NSERC Award of Excellence – 2004 Herzberg Gold Medal Finalists

Along with Dr. Smol, André Salama of the University of Toronto and David Dolphin of the University of British Columbia were selected as finalists for the 2004 Herzberg Gold Medal. Drs. Dolphin and Salama each receive the NSERC Award of Excellence, as well as an additional $50,000 in research support.

Dr. Dolphin conducts groundbreaking research on porphyrins, the so-called “coloured pigments of life,” which include heme and chlorophyll. His research has resulted among other things in the creation of the drug Visudyne^TM, the world’s first treatment for age-related macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness.

Dr. Salama is recognized for contributions to microchip design that helped fuel the global information technology revolution, and for his pioneering role and leadership in promoting university-industry interaction within the Canadian microelectronics sector.

NSERC Steacie Fellowships

NSERC Steacie Fellowships are awarded to the most outstanding Canadian university scientists or engineers who have earned their doctorates within the last 12 years.

NSERC Howard Alper Postdoctoral Prize

The $20,000 prize was created by the first winner of the Herzberg Gold Medal. It is awarded each year to an outstanding individual in NSERC’s science and engineering postdoctoral fellowship competition.

NSERC Doctoral Prizes

A medal and a $10,000 cash prize are awarded for the best doctoral work completed in science and engineering at a Canadian university last year.

NSERC André Hamer Postgraduate Prizes

Created by last year’s Herzberg winner, Dr. Arthur McDonald, to honour a former colleague, these awards go to the most outstanding students in NSERC’s master’s and doctoral scholarship competitions.