Tomorrow, the Faculty of Science will be presenting its annual Science Alumni Achievement Awards to recognize several exceptional alumni during a special ceremony that celebrates recipients from 2019-2022.
Dean of Science, Bob Lemieux, will host current and past award recipients, alumni, faculty, staff, students and the greater science community at Federation Hall for a truly memorable afternoon. Around the world, our Faculty of Science alumni are excelling in their chosen fields. The are making significant contributions to their respective industries and to their local communities. Their dedication and commitment are nothing short of inspiring.
The Awards ceremony will be held at Federation Hall, on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend in business casual attire. Please RVSP here or contact Patricia Rintjema in the Science Advancement Office for more information.
Meet the 2022 Alumni Award Recipients
Distinguished Alumni Award: William C. Leggett
Rising rapidly through the academic ranks, he served as Chair of Biology, Dean of Science and Vice Principal Academic at McGill before moving to Queen’s as its 17th Principal and Vice Chancellor. It is said that in these roles “everything touched he made better”.
He is one of Canada’s has most accomplished and respected researchers, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Member of the Order of Canada and is recognized by the Institute of Scientific Information as one of the most highly cited researchers in his field. His record as an educator is equally impressive. A legion of his graduate students and Post Doctoral Fellows have careers in leading universities and research centres in Canada and Internationally.
Contributions to Science Award: Ron Allensen
As a talented naturalist and plantsman, Ron works with NGO's and private individuals on restoration and natural plantings. He is an accomplished lepidopterist and continues to conduct his own research on the biology and lifecycle of both the giant and regionally rare, Pipevine Swallowtails.
Recently, Ron established the Monarch Landing Foundation to foster eco-tourism around monarch butterflies and encourage lakeshore stewardship, with the goal of having the Foundation lands, which currently holds the county of Elgin record for housing over 70 species of butterflies, preserved as a nature reserve and research location.
Contributions to Science Award: Dr. Steve Westcott (Awarded posthumously)
He published over 150 research papers and mentored over 160 undergraduate students in his labs, many of which have gone on to pursue graduate work in chemistry and biochemistry. Steve taught and mentored thousands of students during the span of his career. He was a recipient of the Paul Paré Medal and multiple Excellence Awards. His research group, the Wild Toads, was one of the largest on campus, even welcoming high school students and community members to learn more about the world of chemistry.
In 2020, he shifted his research focus to COVID-19 treatment and recovery with the project, The fifth element: Battle COVID-19. Under his leadership, the Westcott research team, including many students and international collaborators contributed significantly to the field of chemistry, studying the health effects of new compounds based on natural products such as capsaicin (the chemical that makes hot peppers hot), eugenol, and boron.
Other Alumni Award Recipients
Distinguished Alumni Award
Young Alumni Award
Alumni Team Award
Contributions to Science Award
The Faculty of Science Alumni Awards were first introduced in 2007. Nominations for 2023 are open until April 30. Nominate someone today!