The Ontario government is honouring the province's top researchers with the annual and prestigious John Charles Polanyi Prize. Named after the 1986 Nobel laureate, this award recognizes ground-breaking made-in-Ontario research that is strengthening the province's economy and improving the lives of people across Ontario. This year's five recipients have helped make the province a global leader in chemistry, economic science, literature, physics and physiology/medicine.
Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, The Honorable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Dr. John Charles Polanyi celebrated the recipients' excellent work at a ceremony held on June 10 at Queen's Park.
"Now more than ever, it is imperative that we drive innovation to build a stronger and more resilient Ontario," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "Our government is proud to honour and support our five Polanyi Prize winners for their groundbreaking research that plays a vital role in protecting our people, our economy and our province."
The 2024 Polanyi Prize researchers are recognized for their hard work and innovative research in fields that are critical for Ontario's economic success, such as life sciences, health care, engineering, clean technologies, nuclear research and sustainability.
"Members of the Ontario science community are honoured to celebrate the achievements of these five young Canadian scientists doing distinguished research in this province," said Dr. John Charles Polanyi, namesake of the Polanyi Prizes. "These prizes are in subjects selected by Sweden's Alfred Nobel, who believed strongly in the power of scientific reason to improve people's lives. We can hope that science, which is a shared gift, continues to improve the lives of people around the globe."
The 2024 Polanyi Prize winners are:
Dr. Rachel Baker, Queen's University, Chemistry
Dr. Rachel Baker is researching electrochemical processes to convert renewable materials like biomass and carbon dioxide into useful chemicals, aiming to reduce the chemical industry's reliance on fossil fuels. This approach could significantly lower the carbon footprint of chemical manufacturing, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Dr. Caitlin Maikawa, University of Toronto, Chemistry
Dr. Caitlin Maikawa's research focuses on developing a dynamic polymer hydrogel for monitoring calprotectin, a marker used to detect inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Her work could revolutionize disease monitoring for IBD and other gastrointestinal conditions. These advances have the potential to lead to new technologies to help manage chronic gastrointestinal disease for patients in Ontario and around the world.
Dr. Nikolai M Cook, Wilfred Laurier University, Economic Science
Dr. Nikolai M Cook is addressing the "credibility crisis" in economics by developing methods to detect biases in published studies. Additionally, he investigates the economic impacts of climate change and air pollution, identifying practical applications to protect workers and improve productivity. His work aims to make economic research more reliable and address global environmental challenges.
Dr. Farshad Moradi Kashkooli, Toronto Metropolitan University, Physics
Dr. Farshad Moradi Kashkooli is developing a new cancer treatment, using ultrasound to precisely deliver drug-filled nanoparticles to tumors and minimize their damage to healthy tissues. This innovative approach could make cancer therapy more effective and reduce side effects. Dr. Kashkooli's research has the potential to significantly improve cancer treatment outcomes for patients, while advancing the fields of biomedical physics and nanomedicine.
Dr. Hossein Davarinejad, University of Ottawa, Physiology/Medicine
Dr. Hossein Davarinejad is investigating the enzyme ATXR5/6 and its role in regulating gene activity. Using advanced techniques including X-ray crystallography, his research aims to reveal how these enzymes interact with DNA to maintain healthy cells. This work could improve our understanding of how genes are turned on or off, leading to the development of more personalized and effective medications to treat diseases like cancer.
"The need for innovation has never been greater - and the Polanyi Prize winners are a great example of how university researchers are driving the homegrown discoveries that change lives and make an economic impact," said Steve Orsini, President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities. "Working with industry, government and community partners, university researchers will continue to drive innovation, commercialize new cutting-edge technology and create the startups that will build a stronger, more competitive Ontario."
Every day in Ontario, homegrown research is creating jobs, improving lives and advancing key sectors to make the province one of the most competitive places in the G7 to invest and do business. Awards like the Polanyi Prizes recognize and support Ontario's brightest researchers and leading postsecondary institutions, ensuring the province's people, businesses, and industries continue to excel.
Quick Facts
- Established in 1987, the Polanyi Prizes were created in honor of Dr. John Charles Polanyi, winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in chemistry.
- All five 2024 award winners will each receive $25,000 in support of their exceptional research and to acknowledge the value of their work.
- Since 2018, Ontario has invested $907 million in 1,665 research projects, leveraging nearly $1.5 billion in funding from federal and other third-party contributions. Ontario's research investments have:
- Supported the creation of more than 120,000 training opportunities for researchers and students across the province.
- Contributed to 406 patents being granted, 76 spin-off companies being created and 594 new jobs.
