It was Stephen Horne’s (BSc ‘87, PhD ’91) inherent curiosity for chemistry that led him to study at the University of Waterloo.
Waterloo has had one of the strongest chemistry programs in Canada and abroad, he says. I would highly recommend the university to anyone who is looking to pursue a science degree.
Stephen’s enthusiasm for science at Waterloo has not gone unnoticed: he is the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.
I’m quite flattered to receive this award, Stephen says. This is a testament to the good professors and advisors I had at Waterloo, and it’s an honour to be recognized because there are so many talented Waterloo Science alumni.
Stephen is currently Vice-President of Research and Development for Apotex Pharmachem Inc., a Canadian company which specializes in research, development, and the manufacturing of pharmaceutically active molecules by organic synthesis.
I oversee many global research and development activities at our affiliated companies, Stephen says. I also occupy a corporate management role in the organization.
The Waterloo spirit is alive and well at Apotex, as many of Stephen’s managers and scientists are Waterloo Science grads.
Waterloo chemistry grads are typically really strong candidates and we tend to hire many of them, he says.
Stephen’s enthusiasm for chemistry goes beyond his work at Apotex. He has served on the Organic Chemistry Division Executive of the Canadian Society for Chemistry and has been invited to speak across Canada and internationally on industrial organic synthesis, green chemistry, and process research and development for pharmaceutically active molecules. He also volunteers as a guest lecturer for university degree courses, and at the elementary and high school level to help encourage students to study chemistry.
Stephen believes producing pharmaceuticals in Canada is important and strongly encourages students to consider a career in the field.
It’s a very competitive global industry and it would be a valuable career aspiration.