May 2008: ACCN, the Canadian Chemical News by Chemical Institute of Canada

l’actualité chimique canadienne canadian chemical news ACCN

MAY | mai • 2008 • Vol. 60, No./no 5

RESEARCH NSERC President

on Innovation Leaders in Environmental Research Distinctly R&D 2008 CIC Fellowships

Merck Frosst Centre for

Therapeutic Research

Engineering

Asphalt Materials Process Safety Management

in Canada Today

Pull-Out Poster: Canadian Chemical Discoveries

ACCN

may | mai • 2008 • Vol. 60, No./no 5

A publication of the CIC | Une publication de l’ICC

Ta bl e o f C o n t e n t s | Ta bl e d e s m a t i è r e s

Guest Column Chroniqueur invité . . . . . . 2 A Global Research and Innovation Race Suzanne Fortier, FCIC

Ar ticles

Conscientious Conduct

Distinctly R&D

letters lettres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Winners of the Globe Awards for Environmental Excellence balance business and the environment—through research. Alison DePalma, MCIC

News Nouvelles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Regulatory News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Industrial Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Chemfusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Joe Schwarcz, MCIC

Recognition reconnaissance . . . . . . . .

Events Événements . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research—A science-driven organization Jacques Yves Gauthier, MCIC

careers carrières . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Employment wanted demandes d’emploi . . 42

The field of R&D differs distinctly within industry, academia, and government. John Blachford, FCIC

Ribbon Roads Ground-breaking engineering chemistry research at Queen’s University puts a flawless stretch of Canadian highway within our reach. Simon A. M. Hesp

Canadian Chemical Discoveries Timeline 1908–2008

Process Safety Management in Canada Today

Jennifer Clarke, MCIC

What it is … and what it is not Ertugrul Alp, MCIC

Guest Column Chroniqueur invité

Managing Editor/Directrice de la rédaction Heather Dana Munroe Graphic Designer/Infographiste Krista Leroux

A Global Research and Innovation Race Suzanne Fortier, FCIC

ast October, I had the privilege of participating in the Fourth Annual Science and Technology in Society forum in Kyoto, Japan. What impressed me most about the gathering was the degree to which all nations, from the most disadvantaged to the most advanced, have reached the same conclusion—investments in science and technology (S&T) are key to their future societal well-being and economic prosperity. All nations now recognize that they are part of a global research and innovation race. It is a race in which they are various competitors trying to be first to market with an innovative product, as well as partners finding solutions to global environmental challenges. There are no magic recipes for winning this race—as we must constantly evolve in a rapidly changing environment—but there are some key ingredients. First, investing in people is crucial. To realize our most promising opportunities and deal with our greatest problems requires talented individuals who can work across disciplines, countries, and cultures. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has long understood the importance of investing in people. Programs such as our Discovery Grants and Industrial Research Chairs (IRCs) have served as magnets for talent. Investing in the next generation of scientists and engineers is also a priority for NSERC. Our rich array of support ranges from scholarships that provide undergraduates with their first taste of the excitement of discovery, to industrial fellowships that give post-doctoral researchers a chance to be immersed in industrial innovation. Second, being able to provide Canadians the tools to be knowledge leaders and collaborators in a global research community is essential, as the unprecedented pace and scope of scientific discoveries redefine the frontiers of knowledge.

L’Actualité chimique canadienne maI 2008

All countries need to nurture trailblazers to explore and exploit these frontiers. For NSERC, this means being able to give our new researchers a chance to establish their research programs and demonstrate their potential. It also means supporting our researchers, particularly at exciting junctures in their careers when they attain or are on the verge of a major breakthrough. This is why we introduced Discovery Accelerator Supplements (DAS), an innovation adapted from our Chemistry Grant Selection Committees. Incidentally, of the first 50 DAS offered, nine were awarded to chemists and chemical engineers. Third, partnerships are invaluable. Linking academic researchers with partners from industry and government provides fertile ground for innovation. Canadian industry regards NSERC as an essential partner—a key contributor to its competitiveness and ability to innovate. More than 1,400 companies annually leverage their research dollars and gain access to university talent through NSERC’s Research Partnerships Programs. Chemists and chemical engineers, who currently hold more than 30 percent of our IRCs, certainly punch well above their weight in these initiatives. The recently launched S&T Strategy has given Canadians a plan for creating a new climate of discovery and innovation and making us a world leader in S&T. Based on my two years of experience as NSERC’s president, I am convinced that the Canadian research community has the excellence, strength, and commitment to rise to the challenge.

Editorial Board/Conseil de rédaction Joe Schwarcz, MCIC, chair/président Cathleen Crudden, MCIC John Margeson, MCIC Milena Sejnoha, MCIC Bernard West, MCIC Editorial Office/Bureau de la rédaction 130, rue Slater Street, Suite/bureau 550 Ottawa, ON K1P 6E2 613-232-6252 • Fax/Téléc. 613-232-5862 editorial@accn.ca • www.accn.ca Advertising/Publicité advertising@accn.ca Subscription Rates/Tarifs d’abonnement Non CIC members/Non-membres de l’ICC : in/au Canada CAN$55; outside/à l’extérieur du Canada US$50. Single copy/Un exemplaire CAN$8 or US$7. L’Actualité chimique canadienne/Canadian Chemical News (ACCN) is published 10 times a year by the Chemical Institute of Canada / est publié 10 fois par année par l’Institut de chimie du Canada. www.cheminst.ca. Recommended by the Chemical Institute of Canada, the Canadian Society for Chemistry, the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering, and the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology. Views expressed do not necessarily represent the official position of the Institute or of the societies that recommend the magazine. Recommandé par l’Institut de chimie du Canada, la Société canadienne de chimie, la Société canadienne de génie chimique et la Société canadienne de technologie chimique. Les opinions exprimées ne reflètent pas nécessairement la position officielle de l’Institut ou des sociétés qui soutiennent le magazine. Change of Address/Changement d’adresse circulation@cheminst.ca Printed in Canada by Gilmore Printing Services Inc. and postage paid in Ottawa, ON./ Imprimé au Canada par Gilmore Printing Services Inc. et port payé à Ottawa, ON. Publications Mail Agreement Number/ No de convention de la Poste-publications : 40021620. (USPS# 0007-718) Indexed in the Canadian Business Index and available on-line in the Canadian Business and Current Affairs database. / Répertorié dans la Canadian Business Index et accessible en ligne dans la banque de données Canadian Business and Current Affairs. ISSN 0823-5228

Suzanne Fortier, FCIC, is president of NSERC. She is a crystallographer by training, specializing in the development of mathematical and artificial intelligence methodologies for protein structure determination.

www.accn.ca

letters lettres

News Nouvelles

Dear Editor, Three years ago, an explosion at a BP Texas City refinery resulted in 15 fatalities and 180 casualties. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a comprehensive safety video that describes the causes and contributing factors of the accident. Anatomy of a Disaster—Explosion at BP Texas City Refinery is available for viewing in the video room at www.safetyvideos.gov. DVDs of the video are available at no charge through the on-line request form at www.csb.gov. In the video, CSB board member William Wright discusses the board’s safety recommendations from the accident and contributing factors from their investigation. This might be a worthwhile 56minute investment for those of you who are not too familiar with the benefits of process safety management (PSM) as they apply to all chemical activities. It was obviously a good decision to bring the Canadian PSM program into the CIC as a new Division rather than let it die a slow death when funding was reduced several years ago. The risk within the chemical manufacturing industry of such incidents is relatively small due to the low likelihood of an adverse event, even though the potential consequences of such an incident as the Texas City explosion are high. This is due, in part, to the comprehensive PSM programs that exist within the industry. The video serves as an important reminder of the responsibility that chemical professionals have in the safe handling of hazardous chemicals.

Lance Lesack warns that water levels in Canada’s Mackenzie Delta are rising three times faster than predicted as a result of global warming.

Better Safe

Dave Schwass, MCIC CSC Immediate Past-President

Read more on

PSM in Canada on p. 24 of this issue

Photo by Carol Thorbes, Simon Fraser University

Global Warming Swamps Major Delta Rising water levels induced by global warming in the Northwest Territories’ Mackenzie Delta is three times more severe than predicted. This, according to a new study co-authored by Simon Fraser University’s geographer Lance Lesack and Environment Canada’s Philip Marsh. The study, “Effects of Global Change on Canada’s Mackenzie” River Delta, was featured in a recent issue of Geophysical Research Letters, an international geoscience publication. The study is part of an International Polar Year investigation that is looking at the Arctic hydrological cycle and freshwater ecosystems. Lesack and Marsh are concerned that the faster-than-predicted changes in the Mackenzie Delta will wreak havoc on human and animal life and on industry in the region. The delta is about one-third the size of Switzerland. Reaching 200 kilometres inland, the delta sits at the end of Canada’s longest river and sustains 45,000 lakes. The study set out to verify their 1997 prediction that global warming could cause a drying out of the lakes that are sustained by river flooding caused by ice jams. Such lakes cover 15 percent of the delta. The pair also predicted that sea-level rise in the Arctic Ocean would cause water levels

to slowly rise in the delta’s lowest elevation lakes that cover 60 percent of the delta. Both predictions were correct. Lesack and Marsh didn’t expect a 30-centimetre rise over the past 30 years in the water levels of the delta’s lowest elevation lakes. That is three times higher than the sea-level rise at the arctic coast over the same period. A possible explanation is that global warming is melting arctic sea ice that normally suppresses coastal storm surges caused by winds over the Arctic Ocean. Consequently, storm surges are bigger, last longer, and flood into low-lying areas such as the Mackenzie Delta. The delta is home to important native communities and oil and gas exploration sites, and is a biological hotspot in the circumpolar arctic with abundant and diverse aquatic birds, fish, and mammals. “The changes in both high and low water levels could change the biodiversity of this important ecosystem,” warns Lesack. “First Nation communities have already noticed changes, and there is little time to find ways to mitigate the impact of proposed gas development projects.” Lesack notes, “What is happening in the Mackenzie Delta is of world importance. It is a harbinger of what is likely happening in other circumpolar arctic deltas, where little is known about the impact of global warming.” Simon Fraser University

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News

News Nouvelles

EnCana Advances Environmental and Energy Research at U of A EnCana Corporation is making a major contribution to the advancement of research on energy and the environment with a $7.5 million donation to the University of Alberta (U of A). The U of A in Edmonton, AB, is one of the top 100 teaching and research universities in the world, serving some 37,000 students with more than 11,000 faculty and staff. It offers close to 400 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in 18 faculties. EnCana is a leading North American unconventional natural gas and integrated oil company. The donation establishes the endowed EnCana Scholars Awards and EnCana Research Chairs, one in water resources and another in environmental engineering. These endowments address the recognition that supplying energy to future generations will require building a critical mass of research on energy and the environment. “Our world is continually demanding more energy, and Alberta is in a unique position to help. At the same time, developing our natural gas and oil resources in an environmentally sound manner is essential. That’s why we need the collaboration of great institutions like the University of Alberta to find new and better ways to efficiently develop our resources in a sustainable way,” said Randy Eresman, EnCana’s president and CEO. “This donation will fund three important endeavours to help attract and support the best and brightest professors and students who will be advancing knowledge at the intellectual crossroads of energy and environment. It is hoped that EnCana’s funding today will help the University of Alberta dare to discover and dare to deliver on Canada’s goal of becoming a world leader in environmentally sustainable energy development,” Eresman said. U of A president Indira Samarasekera called the donation truly transformative. “[EnCana’s gift] will propel the university to the forefront of energy and environmental research and will assist us in developing the future leaders

in energy-related fields as we move into our second century. It is the knowledge energy of the EnCana Chairs and Scholars that will advance research and innovation to the benefit of … those around the world who rely on energy generated in Canada.” The EnCana Scholars Awards were created in the spirit of the university’s 100-year history of developing leaders who have had significant impact across many fields. For more than six decades, the U of A has been instrumental in developing Alberta’s renowned oil and gas industry, from the education of its work force and leaders to geological discovery to technological innovation. That innovation dates back to engineering professor Karl Clark’s hot water process for separating bitumen from oil sands in the 1920s. Since then, alumni have played key roles in discovering Leduc No. 1 and the Pembina Field, and researchers across campus actively explore diverse issues related to resource development from the social and environmental to the scientific and technological. Most recently, the university created its School for Energy and the Environment (SEE), which works in the public interest to educate people who will have a deeper and broader understanding of complex issues. SEE pulls together the university’s extensive expertise across disciplines—including engineering, science, arts, agriculture, native studies, business, law, and public health—to collaborate in research and offer a range of perspectives to students. EnCana Corporation

La lutte contre la douleur chronique Deux des principales sociétés pharmaceutiques du Canada unissent leurs efforts à ceux du Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) et du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) du Québec pour intensifier la lutte contre la douleur chronique et soutenir les chercheurs et les cliniques affiliées aux quatre centres hospitaliers universitaires de la province. Ce partenariat, une première au Canada, vise à renforcer le Réseau québécois de recherche sur la douleur (RQRD)—déjà

le plus développé au pays—qui réunit les cliniques de la douleur des quatre centres hospitaliers universitaires du Québec et plus de 75 médecins et chercheurs spécialisés dans le domaine. Dans le cadre de ce partenariat, Pfizer Canada, AstraZeneca, le FRSQ et le MSSS injecteront sur quatre ans 4,35 millions de dollars dans la recherche et l’éducation afin d’améliorer la compréhension de la douleur chronique et l’efficacité du diagnostic et du traitement. « La douleur chronique est une épidémie silencieuse, dévastatrice et débilitante; les médecins et les patients ont besoin de plus de connaissances et d’options de traitement », estime Yves de Koninck, directeur scientifique du RQRD et professeur affilié à l’Université Laval et au Centre de recherche Université Laval Robert-Giffard. « Plus d’un million de personnes au Québec – environ une sur cinq – souffriront de douleur chronique durant leur vie. À eux seuls, les coûts économiques liés aux soins de santé et à la perte de productivité sont astronomiques— environ 125 milliards de dollars par année aux États-Unis. » AstraZeneca Canada

Invista’s Investment Invista will invest in a multi-million-dollar advanced-development pilot facility at the site of its Kingston, ON, nylon manufacturing facility. The innovative research and development asset will support Invista’s growth initiatives in North America, Europe, and Asia. Already prominent in high-performance nylon fibre production, Invista’s performance surfaces and materials business will use the new facility to continue in the direction of next-generation nylon technology. Invista’s performance surfaces and materials business provides products worldwide for surface-focused segments (including residential, commercial, area rugs, bedding, sheets, pillows, and comforters). They also provide products for automotive-focused segments such as airbags and flooring and for industrial nylon offerings. Consumer brands brought to market by the company include Stainmaster carpet, Antron carpet fibre, and Cordura fabric. Invista

L’Actualité chimique canadienne maI 2008

News Nouvelles

Toronto Downtown Chemistry Walk One of the National Chemistry Week activities that the CIC Toronto Section offers each year is the Toronto Downtown Chemistry Walk. This guided walk is suitable for groups of up to 15 people and is designed to illustrate the connections between chemistry and art, architecture, and the industrial history of old Toronto. The route can be adapted to reflect the interests and abilities of the walkers, but it generally starts at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and takes about an hour. The first stop is in Berczy Park to admire the Besant mural (at right) on the rear of the flatiron building and to view the cast iron buildings on the south side of Front Street. We walk south for a view of the CN tower and a discussion of concrete before continuing on to look at the Redpath sugar factory and a possible tour of the Sugar Museum. We head eastwards along the Esplanade, which skirts the former CN coal yards and gasworks, with the option of looping round to the Distillery. The main walk goes northwards at Princess Street to the mural on the Sun Life building where we discuss paper and printing processes. We return along King Street, where we stop again near St. Lawrence Hall at the site of the first public well and pump in the city. Our final stop is the Consumer’s Gas building on Toronto Street for a look at the working gas lamps before returning to the Yonge Street and King subway station. If you’re interested in “walking the walk,” please contact Leslie Barton, MCIC, for further details at bartonl@sympatico.ca.

ACCN 2008 June Sports July/August The Changing Face of the Chemical Enterprise September Geochemistry October Climate Change November/December Genetics Juin Les sports Juillet/août la chimie : une industrie en changement Septembre La géochimie Octobre Le changement climatique Novembre/décembre La génétique Submit your ideas to | Envoyez vos idées à editorial@accn.ca.

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News

News Nouvelles

Guide to Better Biomass for BC The Government of British Columbia and the BIOCAP Canada Foundation have released an information guide on bioenergy options in BC. The guide will assist small communities, aboriginal groups, municipalities, and industry in developing biomass energy opportunities and technologies. Last year, the BC Government announced an aggressive clean energy plan that commits the province to generating at least 90 percent of its total power generation from clean or renewable energy. Biomass, as a “carbon neutral” resource, can make a major contribution towards this goal. The flexible energy source can also provide clean fuels for transportation and heating. An Information Guide on Pursuing Biomass Energy Opportunities and Technologies in British Columbia provides information on: • available bioenergy options and technologies; • requirements and potential hurdles of each technology; • existing and potential markets; • sources of funding and financing. The guide provides a step-by-step plan for developing a biomass energy project, including information on how to find consultants and technology suppliers. Prepared by ENVINT Consulting with support and input from BIOCAP, BC Ministry of Forests and Range, BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum, and the Northern Development Initiative Trust, the guide is available for download at www.biocap.ca. This year, the BC Government unveiled the details of its new bioenergy strategy that will create new opportunities for rural communities, spur new investment and innovation, and help BC reach the goal of becoming electricity self-sufficient by 2016. BC leads the country in energy production from biomass. Over 800 megawatts of biomass electricity capacity is installed in the province, enough to power 640,000 households. Pulp and paper mills meet over a third of their electricity needs through cogeneration of electricity and steam on site. In 2007, the BC wood pellet industry produced over 900,000 tonnes of wood pellets, of which 90 percent was exported for thermal power production overseas.

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“The BC Bioenergy Strategy lays the framework for us to convert more waste into clean energy, helping to ensure we meet future energy demands,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. ”There are an abundance of bioenergy opportunities, such as using biomass created out of the mountain pine beetle outbreak that can stimulate investment and economic diversification while producing clean energy.” In addition to providing greenhouse gas benefits, developing bioenergy opportunities in BC will help provide cheaper and more sustainable energy to remote communities, create local employment, stimulate the rural economy, and expand emerging export markets. BIOCAP Canada was a national not-forprofit foundation that spent the last ten years delivering insights and technologies to support the transition to sustainable bioeconomy. BIOCAP ended operations in March 2008 due to a lack of funding, but related work on the bioeconomy continues through the many networks, institutes, and research programs that BIOCAP helped create. BIOCAP Canada Foundation

NSERC Funds eWAR Project ALERT B&C Corporation is pleased to announce that based on its technology, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has awarded a significant grant to a consortium comprised of the University of Saskatchewan, McGill University, Concordia University, the Biotechnology Research Institute (NRC), the Montréal Department of Public Health, UVSterisource, and ALERT B&C Corporation. The basis of the grant is to support the prestigious Immune Buildings—Development of eWAR Systems strategic project. Early Warning and Response (eWAR) Systems are to be implemented in public buildings. The objective is to utilize the eWAR systems to monitor buildings in order to detect, identify, and initiate a first response to chemical and biological agent threats. The intended control strategy is based on mitigating actions combined with independent eWAR systems for buildings at risk.

During the project, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system will be constructed and used for actual simulations of building contamination. Since the main source of propagation of chemical and biological agents is through air, eWAR systems are intended to trigger alarms when an unusual event occurs, thereby initiating a series of remediation procedures. ALERT B&C’s Traker™ instruments will be used by the system for rapid detection and identification of harmful agents. The project will provide a real field situation for testing Traker and providing important information that will allow the corporation to further improve its detection technology. ALERT B&C is involved in the rapid detection and identification of chemicals and biological substances that can be harmful to civilian populations. These substances can be released in public areas with wrongful intent (terrorism) or accidentally (industrial spills, outbreaks). ALERT B&C is developing a series of instruments such as the Traker that can rapidly detect and identify chemical and biological compounds in field conditions. These instruments are based on mass spectrometry and utilize a unique patented ionization technology, Metastable Atom Bombardment (MAB). More recently, ALERT B&C has expanded the scope of applications of its instruments to cover a wider base of situations that may affect civilian populations, such as the accidental contamination of water plants and hospitals. “Civilian protection is a broad field that requires the input of several disciplines and technologies. ALERT B&C is constantly seeking collaborations as part of its on-going R&D efforts with other groups of researchers interested in developing tools for first responders involved in dangerous situations. This eWAR project is an excellent example of such collaboration,” stated Suzanne L. Lebel, president and CEO. ALERT B&C Corporation

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News Nouvelles

EACL à la conquête du marché canadien Énergie atomique du Canada limitée (EACL) a annoncé qu’elle consacrera ses ressources en matière de commercialisation et d’obtention de permis pour le réacteur C A N D U ava n c é ( AC R- 10 0 0 ( M D ) ) à l a satisfaction des besoins immédiats du marché canadien. « Le nucléaire vit une renaissance au Canada alors que plusieurs provinces évaluent actuellement l’ACR en tant que technologie de choix pour les centrales nucléaires de prochaine génération », a déclaré Hugh MacDiarmid, président et chef de la direction d’EACL. « Nous sommes fermement convaincus que la meilleure stratégie à adopter pour assurer le succès de l’ACR-1000 sur le marché mondial consiste d’abord et avant tout à en établir la réputation ici, dans notre pays. » Compte tenu de cette nouvelle orientation, EACL a avisé les organismes de réglementation de l’énergie nucléaire du Royaume-Uni qu’elle interrompait sa participation au processus d’évaluation de la conception générique du ACR pour la phase 3 du nouveau réacteur construit dans ce pays. EACL pourrait cependant reprendre son rôle dans ce projet ultérieurement. Les organismes de réglementation du Royaume-Uni, à savoir le Health and Safety Executive et l’Environment Agency, avaient annoncé en mars que l’ACR et le programme de conception d’EACL avaient franchi la deuxième phase du processus d’évaluation, fondé sur des critères rigoureux en matière de sûreté et de sécurité environnementale, et pouvaient passer à la phase 3. M. MacDiarmid a poursuivi en ces termes : « Nous souhaitons consacrer nos ressources pour l’ACR aux marchés du Canada. En prenant cette décision maintenant, nous nous mettons en bonne position pour répondre aux attentes de notre clientèle en ce qui a trait à la performance des produits et pour livrer ceux-ci en respectant les délais et les budgets prévus. Nous continuons à rechercher activement d’autres possibilités pour notre réacteur CANDU 6 au sein de plusieurs marchés internationaux. » Énergie atomique du Canada limitée

DuPont Goes to Seed DuPont announced its Pioneer Hi-Bred business has opened a new state-of-the-art canola production facility in Lethbridge, AB, to meet an increased demand for its high-performance Pioneer(R) brand canola hybrids. The addition of the new seed production plant is part of the business’s strategy to be the canola market leader by 2012. “The investments we have made in canola research are paying off in increased sales,” said Paul E. Schickler, DuPont vice-president and general manager and Pioneer president. The new $12 million plant also includes office, warehouse, and bulk storage space and will handle all aspects of Pioneer brand

canola seed growing, cleaning, conditioning, packaging, and distribution. The plant is accredited by ISO 9001 and the Canadian Seed Institute. The plant is part of DuPont’s strategic plan to grow its seed business globally and specifically to increase its presence in Western Canada, where the majority of North American canola is grown. Pioneer offers a robust selection of canola hybrids and traits and intends to introduce a proprietary glyphosate herbicide resistant trait under the Optimum(R) brand by the middle of the next decade. Pioneer will increase its seed production acreage by 58 percent in 2008. DuPont

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News

News Nouvelles

PTAC/AERI Carbon Capture and Storage Study

regulatory news Turning the Corner

Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) and the Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI) have completed the PTAC Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) study. This PTAC-initiated study included collaboration from 16 producers, transportation pipeline companies, water and power utilities, and provincial government departments that provided funding for this project and have overseen its implementation through a technical steering committee. Findings of this study will be released to the public July 1, 2009. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) could substantially reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. In the CCS process, carbon dioxide is first captured from large emission sources such as coal-fired electricity plants, upgraders, refineries, etc., then purified and transported to geological storage sites where it can be utilized for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons and sequestered. Conducted by SNC-Lavalin, the study evaluated representative CO2 sources in the Fort Saskatchewan, SK, area to understand what is required to aggregate different quality types of CO2. Process design included CO2 purification, dehydration, and compression requirements. The study reviewed the merits of CO2 compression economies of scale and other facility configurations to demonstrate an efficient design for CO2 capture. The study has found that significant volumes of CO2 could be aggregated in the Fort Saskatchewan area. Capture of CO2 from hydrogen production facilities used in the upgrading and refining process is feasible, and some hydrogen creation processes create a pure source of CO2 that could be captured. Ultimately, it is hoped that this study will facilitate the discussion and advance the science and knowledge of CO2 capture for enhanced oil and gas recovery and sequestration. PTAC president Soheil Asgarpour said, “This is an important step in producing clean energy from Alberta’s world class hydrocarbon resources. It will create business opportunities for the producers, transporters, CO2 emitters, and small and medium enterprises while minimizing the environmental footprint.”

The Government of Canada has published details of the Turning the Corner regulatory framework originally announced on April 26, 2007. The documents, posted to Environment Canada’s Web site, provide details about how the Government of Canada will move forward with its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan includes mandatory reductions for industry, along with additional new measures to address two of Canada’s key emitting sectors—oil sands and electricity. Tough federal regulation of industry’s greenhouse gas emissions will help achieve the government’s commitment to a 20 percent reduction in Canada’s overall emissions by 2020 and will be the most important driver of change for moving Canada to a low-emission economy. Details of the plan include: • establishing a market price for carbon; • setting up a carbon emissions trading market, including a carbon offset system, to provide incentives for Canadians to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, new regulations include measures such as: • setting a target that will effectively require oil sands starting operations in 2012 to implement carbon capture and storage; • effectively banning the construction of new dirty coal plants starting in 2012. “Our regulations will apply to all big industry,” said Canada’s Environment Minister John Baird. “From the oil industry to chemical companies, from smelters to pulp and paper mills, all big industry will have to do their part.” In order to refine and improve the regulatory approach, the government consulted extensively with environmental groups, industry, and other stakeholders over the past year. This period of consultation was important to ensure Canada’s regulations would result in real reductions of greenhouse gases. The government worked to accommodate stakeholder views where reasonable, but remained focused on the primary objective of keeping its commitment to reduce greenhouse gases. As announced in April 2007, regulated industries will face mandatory reductions that require companies to reduce emissions by 18 percent by 2010 for every unit of production. The details published in the current report specify how the targets will apply to each industry sector, how the offsets and trading systems will work, and how credits will be provided to companies that took early actions to reduce their emissions. The federal government will establish a task force to work with the provinces and industry to reduce emissions even further by 2020 through the use of increased hydroelectricity, renewable and nuclear electricity, and further development of the national grid. If necessary, regulations remain an option. Companies will be able to choose the most cost-effective way to meet their emission-reduction targets from a range of options including in-house reductions, contributions to a capped timelimited technology fund, domestic emissions trading and offsets and access to the United Nations’ Clean Development Mechanism. Companies that have already reduced their greenhouse gas emissions prior to 2006 will have access to a limited one-time credit for early action. Proposed greenhouse gas regulations are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette later this year and the regulations finalized in 2009 to come into force as planned on January 1, 2010. Addressing industrial emissions is just one part of the government’s plan to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution. With a long-term goal that envisions greenhouse gas emission reductions of 60 to 70 percent by 2050, Turning the Corner will continue to evolve as new technology and new ways of improving our environment are discovered. For more information on what the government is doing to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution, visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca or call 1-800-622-6232.

Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada

Environment Canada

L’Actualité chimique canadienne maI 2008

Government of Canada’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

IndustrialBriefs Agrium has announced that Derek Pannell has accepted an invitation to sit on the Agrium board of directors. Pannell was president and CEO of Noranda/Falconbridge from 2001 to October 2006. Cangene Corporation announced that three new independent directors, Bruce Burlington, Philip Johnson, and Scott Lillibridge have joined its board of directors. DARA BioSciences announced the appointment of David J. Drutz to the board of directors was effective February 26, 2008. Ontario Pharmacists’ Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Dennis Darby as CEO, effective March 1, 2008. Louis Guindon has resigned as chief financial officer of Biophage Pharma effective March 19, 2008. Don Hallett is returning to North America to lead the development of Canadian operations for Multi-Chem Group LLC. Hallett will be vice-president for Canada and the eastern hemisphere. Patheon Inc. announced changes in the roles of several of the company’s senior executives. Nick DiPietro will be assuming a new role as executive vice-president, Corporate Development. Clive Bennett, currently president, Patheon U.S.A., will assume a new role as chief technical officer effective March 1, 2008. Steve Liberty was appointed senior vice-president, operations, Canada and the U.S., and will assume responsibility for Patheon’s Cincinnati and Burlington Century Laboratory facilities in addition to his current leadership of the Toronto Region, Whitby, and York Mills sites. PhosCan Chemical has appointed James Pringle to the position of vice-president of finance and chief financial officer. The Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada (PAPTAC) announced that as of March 20, Greg Hay succeeded Robert Wood as executive director. Vineland Research and Innovation Centre’s board of directors is pleased to announce the appointment of four distinguished new members—Robert Bierhuizen, Alan Ralph, John F. T. Scott, and Alastair J. S. Summerlee. may 2008 Canadian Chemical News

Chemfusion Joe Schwarcz, MCIC

Man’s Best Friend– Dr. Charles Huggins

hicago. The 1930s. Dr. Charles Huggins had just witnessed a remarkable regression of a prostate tumour in a patient injected with estrogen, the female sex hormone. For the first time ever, the progress of cancer had been hindered by the administration of a chemical! Huggins ushered in the hormonal treatment of cancer that is extensively practiced today. Huggins was born in Halifax, graduated from Acadia University, and then studied medicine at Harvard. He accepted a position at the University of Chicago in urological surgery despite having no experience at all in this area. Huggins became fascinated with the prostate gland and began to wonder why it increased in size as men aged. Since seminal fluid was known to be composed of secretions from the testes and the prostate, Huggins decided to explore the link between these two glands. The appropriate experiment would involve removing the testes and observing the effect of the surgery on the prostate. Finding human volunteers presented a practical and an ethical challenge, so

10 L’Actualité chimique canadienne maI 2008

thoughts turned to animal models. Apart from primates, the only other animals known to suffer from prostate enlargement are dogs and perhaps lions. Why “perhaps?” Because volunteers to carry out rectal exams on lions are even harder to find than men willing to sacrifice their manhood for the sake of science. In any case, Huggins decided to focus on man’s best friend, although I suspect that in this particular case the friendship may have become somewhat strained. But the results were clear—when dogs were castrated, their prostates failed to increase in size. The male sex hormones generated by the testes exercised control over the growth of the prostate. Now an idea occurred to Huggins. If normal cells in the prostate responded to hormones from the testes, perhaps cancer cells did as well. Huggins knew that dogs, like humans, also develop prostate cancer, and decided to give his theory a shot. Remarkably, when the canine cancer patients’ testes were removed, the prostate tumours regressed, and in some cases, disappeared. These amazing results convinced Huggins to offer the treatment to human patients who were beyond surgical help. Once more, the results were stunning. In many cases, the progress of the cancer was halted and patients resumed normal lives. Well, not quite normal … but better than the alternative. Could there be some more attractive way of countering the male hormone effect, Huggins pondered? What about those female hormones that had recently been isolated from the urine of pregnant women? Huggins now offered estrogen injections to some of his prostate cancer patients, who happily agreed to a trial less invasive than castration. The results were extraordinary. Tumours decreased in size and the cancer failed to spread. Huggins had clearly shown that male and female hormones had antagonistic effects and that cancer cells did not multiply by a process that was independent of their environment, as had been believed. Their multiplication could be hindered by hormonal intervention! If prostate cancer responded to hormones, what about breast cancer? Back in 1878, Scottish physician Thomas Beatson had discovered that rabbits no longer produced breast milk if their ovaries were removed, clearly demonstrating that one organ controlled the secretions of another. Maybe, Beatson thought, removal of the ovaries could also stop the

secretion of whatever substance was causing breast cancer. He found that removal of the ovaries in breast cancer patients often resulted in improvement of the disease. Beatson had discovered the stimulating effect of estrogen even before the hormone itself had been discovered! Aware of this history, Huggins recognized a parallel to his prostate cancer discovery and confirmed that removal of the ovaries and adrenal glands (another source of estrogen) was an effective treatment for some breast cancer patients. To his disappointment, administration of male hormones was ineffective. But why did only some women respond to eliminating estrogen? Huggins required a chemist’s help to figure out the mechanism of estrogen stimulation. He convinced Elwood Jensen, an organic chemist with experience in steroids, to look into the problem. Jensen incorporated radioactive tritium into the estrogen molecule to monitor its journey through the body. He found that estrogen ended up being bound by certain proteins in breast tissue that were then labelled as “estrogen receptors.” Those cancer cells that were equipped with estrogen receptors ceased to multiply when deprived of the hormone. But some types of cancer cells had lost their estrogen receptors, and these were the ones that failed to respond when the ovaries were removed. Jensen and Huggins then went on to develop a test for the presence of the estrogen receptor, allowing physicians to determine which patients would benefit from surgical removal of estrogen-secreting glands. And then when estrogen-blocking drugs such as Tamoxifen were discovered, the test indicated which patients would benefit, depending on whether they had an estrogen-positive or negative tumour. Charles Huggins’ discoveries clearly played a pivotal role in the current treatment of both prostate and breast cancer, and he was well deserving of the Nobel Prize awarded to him in 1966. A plaque above Huggins’ desk carried his motto “Discovery is Our Business.” Luckily for us, he was a successful businessman.

Popular science writer Joe Schwarcz, MCIC, is the director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society. He hosts the Dr. Joe Show on Montréal’s radio station CJAD and Toronto’s CFRB. The broadcast is available on the Web at www.CJAD.com. You can contact him at joe.schwarcz@mcgill.ca.

12 L’Actualité chimique canadienne mai 2008

Above: Lake Louise in Alberta’s Banff National Park is a classic Canadian symbol driving environmental action. Photo by Krista Leroux

Conscientious Conduct Winners of the Globe Awards for Environmental Excellence balance business and the environment—through research.

ith global warming weighing heavily on our consciences, more Canadians than ever are making efforts to turn out the lights, switch from plastic to cloth, and make “reduce, reuse, recycle” part of the household mantra. It feels good to make the environment a high priority in our everyday lives. But are all our lifestyle changes actually making a significant positive impact on the Earth? Are we doing enough? What more can we do? Many companies in the Canadian chemical industry are stepping up and adopting more environmentally sound practices. These companies work to solve the energy, water, and waste crises facing our planet by conducting leading-edge research into more sustainable technologies. The powerful tools that result from their efforts have uses ranging from solar energy to water treatment to biomass gasification. The GLOBE Awards for Environmental Excellence recognize the outstanding achievements in environmental stewardship that such Canadian businesses are making. Deemed to be the most high-profile national awards series of its type, the GLOBE awards are presented annually to extraordinary companies and industry groups who have managed to balance competitive business strategies and sustainable development. This year’s nominees from the Canadian chemical industry include Nexterra Energy Corporation, BioteQ Environmental Technologies, Trojan Technologies, and JER Envirotech. These companies, based primarily in British Columbia and Ontario, have interesting stories to share and useful technologies to sell. Each has successfully seen their environmentally friendly technology progress from idea to development to market.

Maximizing biomass Nexterra Energy Corporation works to increase the availability of renewable energy and achieve significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions in the process. The company’s biomass gasification systems won them the 2008 GLOBE Award for Technology Innovation and Application. How it works—the Nexterra system converts biomass, such as wood waste, into clean-burning “syngas” to replace fossil fuels. The conversion process is achieved via gasification—a chemical process that is driven by heat. Gasification differs from

conducting leadingedge research into more environmentally friendly technologies combustion because it uses only 20 to 30 percent of the air or oxygen needed for complete fuel combustion. The syngas generated, composed primarily of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane, can then be used to produce process heat, steam, hot water, and/or electricity. Nexterra develops, manufactures, and delivers their advanced gasification systems to enable customers such as Tolko Industries, Domtar, and Johnson Controls Inc./University of South Carolina to generate their own syngas from carbon-containing fuels. The economic and environmental benefits from the Johnson Controls Inc./University of South Carolina system, for example, include:

Alison DePalma, MCIC

• deriving 85 percent of campus energy from locally produced wood waste; • saving the University up to $3 million annually in energy costs; • reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20,000 tonnes annually.

Recycling water, one UV ray at a time Trojan Technologies was a runner-up for the 2008 GLOBE Award for Technology Innovation and Application. Trojan develops water purification systems and distributes them to communities around the world, enabling them to remove microbial and chemical contaminants from recycled water and boost drinking water supplies. Trojan has over 5,000 municipal facilities in more than 50 countries that use its technology, from Singapore to the U.S. East Coast, and estimates that they treat 21 billion gallons of water per day. The Trojan water purification system uses UV oxidation, a combination of UV light and hydrogen peroxide, to destroy chemical contaminants while simultaneously disinfecting water. Unlike other water purification providers, Trojan’s design is closed vessel and pressurized and does not use microfiltration and reverse osmosis treatments—processes that often allow small molecular contaminants, such as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) to pass through. When compared to previous technology, the Trojan system is cheaper and more environmentally sustainable. It demonstrates: • a 75 percent reduction in electrical use; • an 80 percent reduction in operational costs.

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News 13

Salvaging water— without the sludge BioteQ Environmental Technologies, the recipient of the 2008 GLOBE Industry Award for Export Performance, is also in the business of purifying water. It focuses on cleaning the waste water generated by industry. BioteQ builds, owns, and operates water treatment plants that remove dissolved metals and sulphate from contaminated water. Metal products are collected in the process, which can be sold to pay for water treatment costs, and clean water is discharged to the environment. BioteQ’s three core technologies are able to recover metal from mine waste water, remove sulphate from municipal and industrial waste water, and generate a sulphide reagent for mineral processing and other mining applications. The company’s methods differ from alternative treatments of metal- and sulphatecontaminated water because it does not produce sludge, which is seen as an environmental liability. Working with the world’s leading mining companies and utility operators, BioteQ is able to reduce environmental liabilities while generating revenue from waste. It has plants in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and China, and is currently expanding to Chile and Mexico. Some of the company’s feats in 2007 include: • treating more than 4.46 billion litres of contaminated water at BioteQ plants; • collecting more than 12,500 kg of nickel from waste water at the Raglan mine site located in the pristine Canadian Arctic in Québec; • removing more than 1,400,000 pounds of copper from waste water at a mine site located in southern Arizona.

Making useful materials out of waste JER Envirotech, nominated for a GLOBE Award in the same category as BioteQ, specializes in thermoplastic, biocomposite products. These are materials derived from recycled or reclaimed cellulose fibre, such as sawdust and rice husk, and recycled plastics, such as food and beverage containers. The biocomposite materials that JER produces can be moulded just like pure polymers but have the appearance and

14 L’Actualité chimique canadienne maI 2008

workability of wood. The sheeting form, for example, can be sawed, drilled, routed, and sanded using conventional woodworking tools. The design process allows a great deal of freedom. Properties can be adjusted by varying the type of fibre, type of plastic, various additives, and their ratios. Currently, JER’s products are being tested and used across five continents for indoor and outdoor applications including hurricane-proof housing, non-toxic toy manufacturing, and boat building. JER Envirotech describes their products as: • environmentally friendly and chemically inert; • cost effective; • waterproof, warp-free, and resistant to rot. The company also claims that their biocomposite materials have the potential to outperform and “outgreen” both wood and plastic alone in many applications, and should conceivably replace wood, vinyl, reinforced plastics, concrete, and aluminum.

This year’s GLOBE Award nominees are just a handful of the leading-edge companies that bring an environmental conscience to the Canadian chemical industry. Past GLOBE Award nominees making a positive impact on the industry include Carmanah Technologies Corporation that develops industrial solar lighting and solar power systems and FTI International Group that works on compressor and dispensing systems for fuels such as hydrogen gas. Although it’s difficult to determine whether our lifestyle changes are sufficient to make a positive impact on the environment, it’s reassuring to know that we’re not the only ones making sustainable development a high priority. The diverse range of Canadian chemical companies working to tackle our planet’s environmental crises should inspire us to continue in our pursuit.

Alison DePalma, MCIC, is a science writer based in Toronto, ON, who lives to learn. She obtained her MSc in chemical biology from McGill University and now writes about everything from quantum physics and genetic interactions to social capital and political structures.

Link to Leaders in Environmental

Research

BioteQ Environmental Technologies Inc.

Industrial waste water treatment systems www.bioteq.ca

Carmanah Technologies Corporation Industrial solar lighting and solar power systems www.carmanah.com

FTI International Group

Compressor and dispensing systems for fuels such as hydrogen gas www.fuelingtech.com

JER Envirotech

Thermoplastic, biocomposite products www.jerenvirotech.com

Nexterra Energy Corporation Biomass gasification systems www.nexterra.ca

Trojan Technologies

Drinking water purification technology www.trojanuv.com

Distinctly R&D

The field of R&D differs distinctly within industry, academia, and government.

any graduate students are undecided about where they want to do research and development (R&D) after they have graduated. The choices are many and mistakes are often made. A graduate starting R&D in industry might realize after a few years that he or she would have been happier working in academia or government. Sometimes the realization comes so late that a career change is very difficult. It is wise to take a hard look at the differences between industry, academia, and government, as well as independent, industry-supported labs. We will refer to the latter as “independent” labs, and they generally resemble government labs. Delving into the truly basic reasons for why things happen can be very satisfying, and the best place for this kind of research is in a university lab. In industry, especially with smaller companies, one must be empirical. However, both empirical and basic research are often carried out in government and independent labs. The well-known “publish or perish” syndrome applies far more to academia than to industry. In industry, there are usually few opportunities to publish because much research is considered confidential, and results must not fall into the hands of competitors. Government labs are more like university labs in this regard. Men and women working in university labs must satisfy tough reviewers in order to publish in prestigious journals. Acceptance is rewarding. Industrial researchers, on the other hand, often publish in trade journals where almost anything is accepted, and companies will not permit the divulging of information that might help the competition. This is generally not a satisfying exercise. In academia there are no secrets—at least not for long—and one gets into the habit of open cooperation with colleagues in seeking the truth. In industry, one must be very guarded with information given to competitors, customers, and even suppliers. Here

again, government labs could be likened to those in universities. Although competition is discussed more often in industry than in universities or government, basic researchers spend a lot of time and effort trying to prove that their theories are right and that competing theories are wrong. Many professors complain about the time spent applying for grants and how long it takes to obtain an approval, if they get one at all. Industrial researchers can obtain money faster and without an arduous application process. I suspect government labs resemble university ones in this regard, as well. Researchers in academia are usually paid less than those in other labs, especially in industry, but universities offer more vacation time, and sabbatical years are often possible.

some inventors are good scientists and vice versa Universities also offer teaching opportunities, which can be very rewarding. In industry, government, and independent labs, one has to be fairly careful about making comments on politics and religion. Once tenured in a university, one can say practically anything without fear of reprisal. In a company, many fellow workers will be in sales, production, and finance. These people are often unable to appreciate the value of a researcher’s work. There may also be few, if any, other researchers, so a certain degree of loneliness is encountered. Such problems are less common in the other labs. If you are inclined, you can easily meet intelligent, stimulating people in a university from a range of disciplines including law, medicine, literature, history, and anthropology. Patenting a new process or product can be gratifying. Industrial labs generally

John Blachford, FCIC

provide many more opportunities to patent than you’d find in academia or government. People working in industry are often involved not only with the patent, but with the commercialization of the development as well. They see the product or process go from the lab all the way to the plant. Usually, university and government researchers are not closely involved with the whole process from beginning to end, although those in independent labs might be. Patents deal with inventions. Scientists and inventors have very different interests and mindsets, although some inventors are good scientists and vice versa. Inventors are usually more comfortable in an industrial environment. Scientists tend to prefer university or government labs. It’s evident that big differences exist among labs. Much time and thought should go into making the decision as to which type of atmosphere is the best for each individual. Perhaps the crisis over global warming will lead to a blurring of the differences found between the various labs, as happened during the Second World War, when there was close cooperation between industry, government, and academia in the effort to develop synthetic rubber. Maybe researchers will become keener on how their results might be applied, and universities will foster and encourage commercialization of basic work. The need for more green chemistry and engineering should lead to more cooperation and fewer differences.

John Blachford, FCIC, received both his BEng in chemical engineering and his PhD in chemistry from McGill University. He is the president of H. L. Blachford Ltd., which was founded in 1921 and is a leader in the development and production of a wide range of specialty industrial products.

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News 17

The Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research— A science-driven organization

he R&D programs of the Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research are aimed at discovering innovative therapeutic agents for the treatment of inflammatory, metabolic, and respiratory diseases. Approximately 300 scientists and support staff are employed by the Research Centre, which is divided into departments of medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry and molecular biology, process chemistry, and pharmaceutical research and development. A major focus for the past 25 years has been the development of new agents to inhibit the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid derivatives or the blockade of the action of these metabolites their individual receptors. These metabolites, which include leukotrienes and prostaglandins, are known to be important mediators of immediate hypersensitivity reactions and other allergic conditions as well as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory disorders. Several novel initiatives have been implemented throughout the laboratories to prioritize targets, develop preclinical candidates,

Jacques Yves Gauthier, MCIC

and bring them to clinical trials as proof-of-concept molecules. For example, unique technologies efficiently analyze gene data to identify biomarkers or to predict how medicinal compounds will interact with different kinds of cells in the body, enabling us to more precisely select drug targets and potentially accelerate the development process. In particular, we use genomic and imaging approaches to develop more predictive cellular and in vivo models and assays so that we can make better decisions on the targets and compounds that progress from target identification through to Phase IIb. Not only do we want to identify the best targets, but we also use predictive models to better understand structure-activity relationships (SAR). The challenge is to integrate these rich data sets so that we can use the integrated data to drive programs from target identification to proof of concept. Beyond the basic research component encompassing medicinal chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and molecular biology, the Research Centre also has a strong investment

Above: Paul Tawa,chimique expert in canadienne proteomics, in mai the lab at the Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research. 18 L’Actualité 2008

Photo courtesy of Merck Frosst

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4 in preclinical development. Newly discovered chemicals must be scaled up by chemists in process research and formulated in an acceptable manner. The major area of expertise at the Research Centre is in the area of solid oral dosage forms, which is also the Centre of Excellence within Merck worldwide for inhaled formulation. A major achievement of our program has been the development of the cysteinyl leukotriene-1 (CystLT1) receptor antagonist Singulair® (Figure 1). CysLT1 receptor antagonists block allergen- and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic subjects and acutely bronchodilate moderate to severe asthmatic subjects. In chronic studies, Singulair

produces improvements in objective (pulmonary function) and patient-reported events. It is now marketed in many countries as a oncea-day oral treatment for bronchial asthma in adults and children as young as six months old. Singulair is also approved in many countries for the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including both seasonal (outdoor) and perennial (indoor) allergies. Singulair’s generic name is montelukast—“monte” referring to Montréal where it was discovered. It regularly leads the pharmacopeia of asthma treatments in the U.S. and internationally. Building on our expertise in this area, a recent focus of the laboratories was on the development of selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 for fever, inflammation, and pain. This resulted in the discovery of the anti-inflammatory drug Arcoxia®, which has been launched in a number of countries, and an animal health product, Previcox®, which has been developed for dogs and horses (Figure 2). More recently, we have been developing therapeutics for the treatment of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases such as dyslipidemia. For example, niacin-induced flushing is primarily caused by a prostaglandin, PGD2, a chemical that causes vasodilation in the skin and flushing symptoms, acting through the DP1 flushing pathway. Merck researchers in Montréal and in Rahway, NJ, discovered and developed laropiprant (Figure 3), a potent receptor antagonist that selectively blocks the binding of PGD2 to its receptor, DP1. It was demonstrated in the clinic that blocking DP1 reduces flushing associated with niacin. CordaptiveTM, which is a combination of laropiprant and extended-release (ER) niacin, is under review by the FDA and could offer another approach to treat patients with dyslipidemia. Another important program at the Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research focuses on bone disorders and, in particular, the systems that control bone remodelling and lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, a disease in which the density of bone is reduced, affects over 75 million people in the U.S., Europe, South America, and Japan. As people enter their seventies, bones become less dense and the risk of low-trauma fracture is greatly increased. The most common fractures associated with osteoporosis occur at the hip, spine, and wrist. In the late 1990s, emerging evidence showed that the

lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin K (Cat K) is the primary enzyme involved in bone resorption. Cat K is highly expressed in osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption during the cyclic process of bone remodelling. Cat K also has high collagenase activity, particularly at the acidic pH that is required to dissolve the inorganic hydroxyapatite component of bone. In addition, pharmacological studies of Cat K inhibitors in animal models of osteoporosis have shown reductions in biochemical markers of bone resorption and increased bone mineral density (BMD) that has made this enzyme an important therapeutic target for the treatment of osteoporosis. After several years of research, our scientists discovered odanacatib (Figure 4), a highly selective inhibitor of the Cat K enzyme that inhibited bone resorption and increased bone mass in several animal models of osteoporosis. Odanacatib entered clinical trials in 2005. Eighteen-month results from a Phase IIB study demonstrated dose-dependent increases in BMD at all osteoporotic fracture sites and reduced bone turnover compared to placebo in postmenopausal women with low BMD when given orally, once-weekly, at doses of 10, 25 or 50 milligrams. Odanacatib is currently in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis. In order to keep our intense research programs going, Merck Frosst strives to employ the best chemists and biochemists possible. We have an Ambassador Program to keep in touch with young, talented scientists who have a passion for innovative science and excellence. Through this program, we visit Canadian universities on a regular basis, looking for eager, young scientists who wish to concentrate on mechanism-based drug discovery where diverse disciplines—from medicinal chemistry to biochemistry and drug metabolism—are applied to transform leading-edge science into true advances.

Jacques Yves Gauthier, MCIC, joined the Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research in 1983. Currently a senior research fellow in medicinal chemistry, he is author or co-author of about 50 publications and some 30 patents, including those pertaining to Singulair®, Arcoxia®, and odanacatib.

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News 19

Ground-breaking engineering chemistry research at Queen’s University puts a flawless stretch of Canadian highway within our reach.

Ribbon Roads

hose of you who have travelled Ontario’s highways may have unknowingly contributed to cutting-edge research on asphalt materials. Over 15 years of studies conducted at Queen’s University involve a remarkably successful partnership between government, industry,and academia. The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) has commissioned over 30 pavement trial sections that test a variety of straight and modified asphalt cements from nearly every Canadian supplier. Trials on Highway 17 near Petawawa, Highway 655 near Timmins, Highway 417 near Ottawa, and Highway 427 just west of Toronto have provided new and valuable insights into this darkest of substances—asphalt cement. Although our understanding of asphalt has greatly increased over the past 15 years, Canada’s roads have not improved. Asphalt cement from modern oil refineries often fails to meet road construction specifications and has to be modified to increase performance in extreme temperatures. Experience shows that, depending on what type of chemical or polymeric modification is applied, materials perform very differently—from extremely poor to exceedingly well—even when these materials achieve the same ranking under currently accepted grading systems. To increase the grade of inferior asphalt, companies employ catalytic air blowing (oxidation) techniques or acids (polyphosphoric acid) and bases (sodium hydroxide and tall oils) to gel the material. Modifying asphalt with polymers using styrene-butadiene type elastomers and plastomers is less popular since it typically costs more to produce the same grade of asphalt than air blowing, acids, or bases. Our research, however, suggests that the latter method produces higher quality, longer-lasting asphalt. Current asphalt cement standards and testing procedures are not making the grade when it comes to selecting the best quality asphalt for Ontario’s highways. Asphalt cement makes up only about five percent by weight of asphalt, with the rest of the material being composed of aggregate and sand. However, the importance of this critical asphalt “glue” cannot be overstated because it is responsible for over 90 percent of the longterm durability of flexible pavements. Asphalt cement is modified to increase high temperature deformation (rutting) resistance and improve the ability of the material to flow at low temperatures. Queen’s University research has revealed that the use of catalytic oxidation, acids, and other chemical agents leads to an increased tendency for the asphalt cement to gradually gel at low temperatures.

20 L’Actualité chimique canadienne mai 2008

Simon A. M. Hesp This leads to reduced stress relaxation, increased thermal stresses and, unfortunately, increased levels of cracking distress. Current specification tests don’t account for this gradual loss in performance, which leads to many inferior materials being applied to Canadian highways. The photograph (above) shows a stretch of Highway 138 near Cornwall. This 17 km stretch of road required almost 66 km of crack sealing material a mere six years after construction. It continues to crack unabatedly. Analysis of the recovered material suggests it was made with a polyphosphoric, acid-modified asphalt cement. The adjacent contract, made with polymer-modified asphalt cement, has provided smooth driving conditions for over eight years, in spite of bearing up a slightly larger volume of traffic. Another example of superior performance can be found on Highway 28 near Burleigh Falls, which has been virtually crack-free throughout its entire length for more than 15 years after construction. The good news is that with new test methods developed at Queen’s, user agencies such as MTO can finally specify superior performing asphalt cements in their contracts and thereby control road quality much more accurately than in the past. Furthermore, companies like Imperial Oil, who supported this research with significant financial and in-kind contributions, can see their superiorquality asphalt cements recognized and gain a competitive advantage in the approximately 1.5 million tonne per year Ontario asphalt cement market. The ultimate beneficiaries of this work, however, are Ontario’s motorists. Once these specifications are fully implemented, they can expect to see significant quality improvements and fewer repair costs for Ontario’s provincial highways.

Simon A. M. Hesp has been investigating the failure mechanisms of asphalt cements and pavements for nearly 15 years as a faculty member in the department of chemistry at Queen’s University. His research has won awards in Canada and the U.S. and has received generous support from government and industry.

1908-2008 Canadian Chemical Discoveries James Bertram Collip (University of Alberta) was “one of the first to isolate the parathyroid hormone.”2, 3

1974

1971

elvin B. Comisarow and Alan G. Marshall, MCIC, (University of British Columbia) developed M Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR MS).4, 10

Gerhard Herzberg, HFCIC, (National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON) received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for his contributions to the knowledge of electron structure and geometry of molecules, particularly free radicals”1 using molecular spectroscopy.4

4, 9

S. Boyle (Bell Labs, U.S.; n.Canada) developed the charge-coupled device (CCD) with 1969 Willard George Smith.

1965

Albert D.Allen and Caesar V. Senoff (University of Toronto) discovered the first dinitrogen complex, [Ru(NH3)5(N2)]2+, leading to the discovery of other dinitrogen complexes8 and extensive research to develop novel routes of nitrogen fixation.2

4, 7

onald Gillespie, HFCIC, (McMaster University; University College London, U.K.) developed 1957 R the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory with Ronald. S. Nyholm.

1953

Raymond Lemieux, HFCIC, (National Research Council Canada, Saskatoon, SK) together with George Huber was the first to synthesize sucrose.6

2, 4, 5

Elford Johns, MCIC, (University of Saskatchewan) designed cobalt-60 units for cancer 1951 Harold treatment with Lloyd Bates.

1925

Frederick Banting and John James Macleod (University of Toronto) received the Nobel 1923 Sir Prize in Medicine “for the discovery of insulin.”

Ernest Rutherford (McGill University and Victoria University, U. K.) received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for his investigations into the disintegration of the elements, and the chemistry of radioactive substances.”1, 2

1908

References

1. www.nobelprize.org • 2. www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com • 3. cat.inist.fr • 4. www.science.ca • 5. www.usask.ca/research/news/read. php?id=365 • 6. www.100years.ualberta.ca • 7. www.chemistry.mcmaster.ca/extracts • 8. Canadian Journal of Chemistry 83: 277–278 (2005) • 9. www.casca.ca/ecass/issues/2006-me/features/boyle/boyle.htm • 10. www.masspec.scripps.edu • 11. www.mcgill.ca/news/2005/summer/ green/ • 12. Queen’s Gazette, September 11, 2006, Vol.XXXVII No.12 • 13. www.usask.ca/research/news

ACCN

Jennifer Clarke, MCIC

2008

Ken Ng (Canadian Light Source Synchrotron Facility, University of Saskatchewan) with an international team has elucidated the structure of the Norwalk virus enzyme that is responsible for copying its genetic code.13

2006

Philip G. Jessop, MCIC, Yingxin Liu, and Michael Cunningham, MCIC, (Queen’s University) and Charles Eckert and Charles Liotta (Georgia Institute of Technology, U.S.) developed a “green chemistry” reversible method of separating oil and water using a CO2-activated, air-deactivated surface active agent.12

Li, MCIC, (McGill University) received the U.S. Presidential Green Chemistry 2001 Chao-Jun Challenge Award for his research using catalytic reactions in air and water.

1993

Michael Smith, HFCIC, (University of British Columbia) received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for his fundamental contributions to the establishment of oligonucleotide-based, site-directed mutagenesis and its development for protein studies” with Kary Banks Mullis.1

J. C. Scaiano, FCIC, (University of Ottawa) with co-workers, discovered the mechanisms 1992 Tito that cause newspaper to turn yellow over time.

1992

Rudolph Marcus (California Institute of Technology, U.S.; n.Canada) received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for his contributions to the theory of electron transfer reactions in chemical systems.”1

2, 4

Altman (Yale University, U.S.; n.Canada) with Thomas Robert Cech, received the Nobel 1989 Sidney Prize in Chemistry “for their discovery of catalytic properties of RNA.”

1986

John C. Polanyi, HFCIC, (University of Toronto) received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for contributions concerning the dynamics of chemical elementary processes” with Dudley R. Herschbach and Yuan Tseh.1

Taube, FCIC, (Stanford University, U.S.; n.Canada) received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1983 Henry “for his work on the mechanisms of electron transfer reactions, especially in metal complexes.”

KennethOgilvie, FCIC, (Acadia University) invented the automated gene synthesizer 1980 Kelvin (the “gene machine”) enabling faster synthesis of DNA sequences.

Process Safety Management in Canada Today What it is … and what it is not

rocess Safety Management (PSM) is mythically considered to be applicable to the chemical process industries only. This is due to its perceived origins, although many of its tools have been borrowed from the nuclear and defense industries, and many of its elements are practiced in other industries under different names. PSM, as it is known in the chemical process industry today, is a collection of programs and tools to prevent process incidents and to minimize any consequences should they occur. It provides a systematic basis for managing the risks associated with the operation of manufacturing and distribution systems involving highly hazardous materials or process conditions. Such processes are encountered not

24 L’Actualité chimique canadienne mai 2008

Ertugrul Alp, MCIC

only in the chemical process industries but in many others including oil and gas, pulp and paper, mining, power generation, manufacturing, and transportation.

What it is and what it is not PSM is the application of management principles and systems to the identification, understanding, and control of process hazards to prevent process-related incidents.1 A process hazard is a physical situation with a potential for human injury, damage to property, or damage to the environment through the release of energy and/or a

chemical with hazardous properties such as flammability, toxicity, corrosivity, and reactivity. Process-related incidents result from the failure of process equipment and include the following types—explosion or implosion, fire, and/or chemical release. Examples of process incidents: • flammable material release from a vent or broken pipe and explosion/fire; • toxic gas release from a pressure relief valve; • water release from rupture of a highpressure/temperature boiler steam drum resulting in a boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE), etc. Process incidents can certainly lead to occupational exposures, injuries, and fatalities, but they also often result in asset damage and in impacts on the environment and public safety. Process Safety is distinctly different from traditional Occupational Safety, where the focus is generally on nonprocess-related incidents such as slips, trips, and falls. There are also overlaps, such as in the case of a refinery explosion that kills or injures workers.

1. 2.

Elements of PSM PSM as generally practiced in Canada today has the following 12 elements.1 Under each element, selected sub-elements are also shown to give an idea of the depth and breadth of that element:

Management of Change - Change of process technology - Organizational changes - Temporary changes Process and Equipment Integrity - Reliability engineering - Materials of construction, fabrication, and inspection - Installation - Preventative maintenance - Process, hardware and systems inspections and testing - Decommissioning and demolition 7. Human Factors - Operator—process/equipment interface - Administrative control versus hardware 8. Training and Performance - Definition of skills and knowledge - Selection and development of training programs 5. 6.

High-Performance Integrated Risk Management Organization Integration of Risk Management functions through a single system Responsibilities integrated into everybody’s Performance Criteria: ”Everybody is a risk manager.”

Process safety management as part of risk management In today’s competitive world, progressive companies and governments practice formal risk management to prevent loss, mitigate effects of loss, and maximize benefits to shareholders and society as a whole. In its broadest sense, risk management includes not only managing risks of process or occupational incidents in the workplace but also other risks such as those associated with marketplace and political volatility, currency fluctuations, project implementation, human resources, etc. In the context of the broader enterprise risk management of a company that operates facilities with process hazards, process safety is a significant component that must be consciously and systematically managed to achieve the objectives of the company (Figure 1).

Accountability—objectives and goals - Continuity of operations - Continuity of systems - Continuity of organization - Quality process - Control of exceptions - Alternative methods - Management accessibility - Communications - Company expectations Process Knowledge and Documentation - Chemical and occupational health hazards - Process definition/design criteria - Process and equipment design - Protective systems - Normal and upset conditions (operating procedures) - Company memory (management of information)

Risk Management Occupational Safety and Health Management

Process Safety Management

Environmental Management

Project Management

Insurance

Workers Compensation

Financial Management

Other Related Programs

Figure 1 Capital Project Review and Design - Hazard review and risk analysis - Siting - Process design and review procedures - Project management procedures and controls 4. Process Risk Management - Hazard identification - Risk analysis of operations - Reduction of risk - Residual risk management - Process management during emergencies - Encouraging client and supplier companies to adopt similar risk management practices

-M easuring performance and effectiveness - Records management 9. Incident Investigation 10. Company Standards, Codes, and Regulations 11. Audits and Corrective Actions - Process safety management systems audits - Process safety audits 12. Enhancement of Process Safety Knowledge The elements are quite comprehensive, covering not only technical aspects but also touching on the management system and, to a certain extent, organizational culture

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News 25

aspects. Each industry, company, and facility should evaluate its own needs and select the elements that require more rigour in its implementation, although each element should be covered to an appropriate extent. There is an implied underlying management system that is needed to ensure that the process of carrying out each element runs successfully. The management system guidance specific to Process Safety is provided by the American Chemistry Council in its Responsible Care© Management Systems publications.2 This management system follows the credo of “plan-do-check-act.” Other guidance includes the numerous Center for Chemical Process Safety publications.3–6 The latest one of these, Risk Based Process Safety, provides a taste of the “next generation” of PSM. Its 20 elements put increased emphasis on organizational culture and management systems that are crucial in successful implementation of PSM. In Canada, there is no single piece of legislation that formally addresses PSM. Many, but not all process safety-related issues are covered piecemeal in provincial labour legislation. Federally, Environment Canada’s Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Section 200 Environmental Emergencies (E2) regulation refers to process safety, albeit indirectly in the regulation’s Implementation Guidelines.7 The reference is made in general terms as well as by specific reference to the PSM Guidelines1 and its sister publication on site self-assessment.8 Although the focus of this legislation is protection of the environment and human health through appropriate emergency preparedness and response, its succinct prevention provisions make it a very “smart” piece of PSM legislation through these references. In the U.S., the legislative situation is quite different. The OSHA PSM Regulation9 and EPA Risk Management Program Rule (RMP)10 are the primary pieces of federal legislation and are very extensive. In its content, though, the OSHA PSM Regulation is quite similar to the Canadian PSM Guidelines and is applicable to any industry (not only the chemical industry) that is involved with the chemicals listed in its lists in quantities exceeding the prescribed thresholds. The EPA RMP is also somewhat analogous to the CEPA 200 regulation, and both apply to any industry involved with chemicals in their respective lists.

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Canadian CEPA Environmental Emergencies legislation applies to facilities that have the chemicals listed in its extensive list, in quantities exceeding the given thresholds. As such, it does not only apply to the so called “chemical industry.” Its Implementation Guidelines refer to PSM as an essential component. It is therefore prudent for other industries to start reviewing their own management systems to ensure that they address all the PSM elements as referenced in the legislation. Progressive companies are not satisfied with just compliance with legislation. They want to excel beyond the minimum requirements of the law. They do this because they realize the bottom line benefits of avoiding

Progressive companies are not satisfied with just compliance with legislation. process (and other types of) incidents. A rule of thumb is that a process incident that might cost $10,000 to repair/clean up will actually cost ten times as much in hidden costs. If that facility is operating with a profit margin of ten percent, the total revenue requirements to cover the cost of that $10,000 repair/clean-up is actually $1 million.

2. 3.

American Chemistry Council, 2002, www.americanchemistry.com/s_ responsiblecare/docasp?CID= 1298&DID=5086. Implementing Process Safety Management Systems (Center for Chemical Process Safety, 1994). 4. Process Safety Fundamentals in General Plant Operations (Center for Chemical Process Safety, 1995). 5. Integrating Process Safety Management, Environment, Safety and Quality (Center for Chemical Process Safety, 1996). 6. Guidelines for Risk Based Process Safety (Center for Chemical Process Safety, 2007). 7. Implementation Guidelines for Part 8 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999—Environmental Emergency Plans, www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry/ guidelines/impl_guid/x1.cfm#proc. 8. Site Self-assessment Tool (Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering, 1999), http://psm.chemeng.ca/help_assess_ e.htm. 9. Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals—29 CFR 1910.119 (U.S. Department of Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)), www.osha.gov/ pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_ table=STANDARDS&p_id=9760. 10. Risk Management Program Rule—40 CFR 68 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), www.epa.gov/emergencies/ content/lawsregs/rmpover.htm.

How easy is it to generate this extra revenue? It is therefore not only prudent but also necessary to ensure process safety is addressed to its fullest by all companies and facilities that are exposed to process hazards. The foundation is there—tried and tested. Let’s go and apply it in all our facilities. The benefits are not only to the bottom line, but also to the well-being of our workers, our environment, and our reputation as socially responsible companies and industries.

Ertugrul Alp, MCIC, has over 25 years’ experience in assessment and management of risks to health, safety, environment, property, business process, and reputation. His experience covers a number of industrial sectors including chemical, energy, pulp and paper, mining, steel, and transportation, and government agencies and departments. He is a past chair of the CSChE Process Safety Management Division, a member of the CSA Technical Committee on updating the Q850

References 1. Process Safety Management, Third Edition (Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering, 2002), http://psm.chemeng. ca/help_guide_e.htm.

Risk Management Standard, a member of the Canadian Advisory Committee for developing the new international standard on risk management (ISO31000), and the recipient of the 2007 CSChE PSM Award.

C o n t i n u i n g E d u c a t i o n f o r C h e m i c a l P r o f e s s i o n a l s

The Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) and the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) are presenting the following course designed to enhance the knowledge and working experience of safety, environmental and process safety professionals.

Professional Development Risk Assessment and Management for Continuous Improvement

2008 Schedule May 26–27 Edmonton June 16–17 Toronto October 21–22 Ottawa Registration fees $845 CIC/CSChE members $995 non-members www.cheminst.ca/ profdev

This two-day course is geared to those whose responsibilities include risk assessments, development of management systems, and providing advice to decision makers. The learning objective is to reach a thorough understanding of integrated risk assessment and management principles and techniques. During the course, participants are provided with a broad overview of the technical tools available to assess risk in industrial environments as well as how these tools fit in the bigger picture of the broader risk management systems to control risk.

Elements of the course • Introduction • Major Historical Accidents in Process Industries • Risk Concepts, How to Estimate Risk and Evaluate its Acceptability • Integrated Risk Management: Success Factors for High Performance • The Risk Management Process • Techniques for Risk Analysis • Qualitative Techniques: Hazard Identification (Screening Level, What-if, HAZOP, FMEA) with handson application examples • Index Methods • Frequency Analysis Techniques (Fault and Event Trees), SVA, LOPA • Consequence Analysis Methods for Hazards

The Chemical Institute of Canada

Associated with Hazardous Materials (with reference to US EPA Risk Management Program Rule) • Elements of Process Safety Management (with reference to US OSHA PSM Regulations) • Emergency Management (with reference to Environment Canada and other Canadian Legislation) • Summary and Conclusions

Recommended for Industry and government personnel who have responsibilities in: • Safety, Health and Environment • Worksite safety • Asset Management • Operations Management • Process Safety and Loss Prevention • Risk Management • Security and Emergency Response

Course leader Ertugrul Alp, PhD, PEng, MCIC, Principal, Alp & Associates Incorporated, has over 20 years' experience in assessment and management of risks to environment, health, safety, property and reputation. His experience covers a number of industrial sectors, including chemical, energy, pulp and paper, mining, steel, and transportation, and government sectors such as labour, environment, health, natural resources, and municipal planning.

Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering

Recognition reconnaissance Aluminerie Alouette s’est distinguée en remportant un prestigieux prix Mercure dans la catégorie « Production industrielle et de transformation », à l’occasion du gala clôturant la 28 e édition du concours Les Mercuriades 2008. Cette reconnaissance souligne les réalisations exceptionnelles d’Aluminerie Alouette aux chapitres de la gouvernance, de la productivité et de la gestion de ses ressources humaines. Le dossier de candidature soumis par Alouette présentait des résultats exceptionnels de l’aluminerie en regard de l’efficacité énergétique, des initiatives de développement durable telles que la barge Alouette Spirit, de la grande présence d’Alouette et de ses employés auprès des organisations de la Côte-Nord, et de l’extraordinaire terreau de recherche et d’innovation que constituent les 18 cuves tests de l’entreprise. Inaugurée en 1992, Aluminerie Alouette est une entreprise indépendante de production d’aluminium. Grâce à ses 900 employés et à une capacité de plus de 575 000 tonnes de production annuelle, elle est le plus important employeur de Sept-Iles (Québec) et la plus importante aluminerie d’Amérique.

Paul Ayers, MCIC There are few scientists who receive as distinguished an award as a Sloan Research Fellowship. It was created in 1955 to provide support and recognition to scientists and scholars early in their careers. The goal of the fellowship is to identify exceptional and independent young researchers who have the greatest potential to make significant contributions within their fields. Paul Ayers, MCIC, associate professor of chemistry at McMaster University and a Canada Research Chair in theoretical chemical biology is one of those extraordinary

28 L’Actualité chimique canadienne maI 2008

young researchers. Ayers came to McMaster in 2002 from Duke University in North Carolina where he was a post-doctoral associate.

He is currently preparing for his move to Boston, MA, for a post-doctoral position and looking forward to a career in academia.

The University of Western Ontario’s Kim Baines, FCIC, has been appointed to a threeyear term as the NSERC Group Chair for Chemistry and Physics, and as a member of the Committee on Grants and Scholarships (COG) representing the physical sciences.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the prestigious Order of Canada award. Members are recognized for a lifetime of service in or to a particular community, group, or field of activity. This year’s recipients include:

Ludovico Cademartiri

Ronald Gillespie, HFCIC, O.C.

Chemical Institute of Canada’s Division of Inorganic Chemistry is pleased to announce the recipient of the first DIC Award for Graduate Work in Inorganic Chemistry. This award is presented to a graduate student registered in a PhD program at a Canadian University for exceptional PhD thesis research in a field of inorganic chemistry. The 2007 winner is Ludovico Cademartiri of the University of Toronto. He will present his award lecture at the CSC Conference in Edmonton, AB, in May 2008, in the “Nanotechnology—Nanoparticles, Nanowires, and Quantum Dots” symposium. Cademartiri was born in Parma, Italy, in 1978 and obtained his Laurea degree in materials science at the University of Parma in 2002. He then moved to the University of Toronto where he is currently finishing his PhD in interdisciplinary chemistry under the guidance of Geoffrey A. Ozin, FCIC. His research interests include, but are not limited to, nanostructure chemistry and self-assembly, photonic crystals, and mesoporous materials. He has authored 11 peer-reviewed publications, has given several invited talks at international conferences, and has been awarded the Canada Research Chair Graduate Prize in Chemistry as well as two prestigious Graduate Student Awards from the Materials Research Society.

Ronald Gillespie, HFCIC, C.M., professor emeritus in the department of chemistry at McMaster University, was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada. Gillespie’s research interests include the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) model of molecular geometry. He is also known for his research on super acids. Brian McCarry, FCIC, chair of McMaster’s department of chemistry, explained the significance of Gillespie’s research. “The Order of Canada recognizes … Gillespie’s pioneering research in main-group inorganic chemistry, particularly in the areas of fluorine chemistry, super acid media and concepts of chemical bonding,” said McCarry. “Every chemistry student learns and uses Gillespie’s VSEPR model. Jacob H. Masliyah, FCIC, O.C., has been appointed Officer of the Order of Canada. He is a professor of chemical and materials engineering at the University of Alberta and has contributed to technological and scientific advancements in the

Ronald Gillespie’s photo courtesy of McMaster University

Recognition reconnaissance

The Canadian Consortium for Research (CCR) welcomed Samuel E. Trosow at its regular meeting in Ottawa, ON, on April 16th. Troslow is associate professor at The University of Western Ontario’s Faculty of information and media studies and the Faculty of law. He spoke about the implications of copyright law and policy on research.

Jacob H. Masliyah, FCIC, O.C.

oil sands industry for nearly three decades. Holder of the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Oil Sands Engineering, Masliyah has been researching the complex interactions between oil, water, and sand particles to improve oil recovery from Alberta’s tar sands. His scientific contributions, as well as his leadership in national collaborative programs, have brought significant benefits to the Canadian oil sands industry. Robert H. Lipson, MCIC, has been awarded The University of Western Ontario’s highest teaching award—the Edward G. Pleva Teaching Award. Lipson is a professor of chemistry, specializing in laser spectroscopy and analytical chemistry, and he is senior editor of the Canadian Journal of Chemistry.

Photo by Krista Leroux

In Memoriam The CIC extends its condolences to the family of Ron Whitman.

Tembec has received the silver medal as the Most Environmentally Progressive Vendor at the Third Annual Environmental Printing Awards (EPA) ceremony held in Toronto, ON, on February 27, 2008.

ARIUS Research Inc., a biotechnology company discovering and developing the next wave of antibody therapeutics, announced that David S. Young, president and CEO, received the “Most Innovative” award at the Chinese Canadian Entrepreneur Awards, held on April 5, 2008 in Toronto, ON. The award is sponsored by the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs (ACCE) and is presented to an individual, team of individuals, or company who have demonstrated exceptional innovation in their given field and contributed great value to the marketplace.

Ron Whitman, FCIC, passed away in Halifax, NS, on March 31, 2008. He was born in Halifax and received his early education in the Halifax area. Following his graduation from Acadia University with a BSc (honours chemistry), an MSc (chemistry), and an MEd, he started his distinguished teaching career at Queen Elizabeth High School (QEH) in Halifax. He subsequently served as head of the science department at Halifax West High School before returning to QEH as vice-principal. He finished his career as principal of Halifax West.

He was a sessional lecturer at Acadia University for many years. Following his official retirement from the school system in 1997, he taught a university preparatory course in chemistry for Dalhousie University through its continuing education division. During his retirement, he worked with the Nova Scotia Department of Education to develop evaluation tests for high school students. His passion for chemistry and his ability to inspire his students to excel was legendary. His influence extended well beyond his classroom. He was a senior author of three editions of Chemistry Today, a highly successful chemistry textbook that was used by high schools across Canada and in the U.S. for at least 20 years. Ron was recognized early in his career by the CIC with the Domtar Award. He also received a Shell Merit Award for his contributions to chemistry education in the Halifax region. He was especially thrilled to be named a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada in 1985.

Russell J. Boyd, FCIC

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News 29

Recognition reconnaissance

2008 CIC Fellowships Les «Fellow» de l’ICC en 2008 He represents the CSChE on the Engineering Institute of Canada’s executive.

The Fellowship of the Chemical Institute of Canada was created as a senior class of membership to recognize outstanding merit by those who have made, or who are clearly in the course of making, a sustained and major contribution to the science or to the profession of chemistry, chemical engineering, or chemical technology. Here are the distinguished CIC members who have been named Fellows in 2008 by the Fellowship Selection Committee.

Le titre de « Fellow » de l’Institut de chimie du Canada a été créé afin de reconnaître une contribution exceptionnelle que les membres ont faite, ou sont visiblement en train de faire, à la chimie, au génie chimique ou à la technologie chimique, tant sur le plan scientifique que professionnel. Voici les membres distingués de l’ICC choisis par le Comité de sélection pour recevoir le titre de « Fellow » en 2008.

30 L’Actualité chimique canadienne maI 2008

D. Grant Allen

Bruce Peachey

Jean-François Legault

David P. Wilkinson

D. Grant Allen’s area of research interest is bioprocess engineering, with particular application to the treatment of aqueous and gaseous emissions and utilizing wastes for energy and chemical production. He has served the CSChE and CIC in many roles including chair of the biotechnology subject division from 1992–1995, vice-chair (program) for the 1992 CSChE conference, and conference co-chair for the 2005 CSChE conference. Allen is the current vice-president of the CSChE. He is also professor at the department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry and vicedean (undergraduate) for the faculty of applied science and engineering at the University of Toronto.

Jean-François Legault was posted to the Directorate of Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence, Canadian Forces, as project director responsible for the detection and identification of chemical and radiological agents. He is also the nuclear, biological, and chemical advisor to the Ontario Provincial Police Provincial Emergency Response Team. Recently, Legault has been working at Canada Command as of one the lead planners for the Canadian Forces’ support to the Vancouver 2010 Games. He was chair of the Kingston and Ottawa Local Sections, president of the CSChE, and is involved on the organizing committee for the 2008 Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference.

Bruce Peachey is president of New Paradigm Engineering Ltd., in Edmonton, AB. Peachey’s primary accomplishments have been in challenging traditional energy production paradigms, which limit research activity and discourage application o f n ew, m o re s u s t a i n a b l e technologies. He is a strong advocate of a holistic approach to environmental stewardship by ensuring solutions are robust and meet the broadest possible range of economic, environmental, and security concerns. He has provided leadership in promoting life-long learning through the CSChE Board, Edmonton CSChE Local Section, APEGGA outreach, and personal mentoring activities.

David P. Wilkinson has been one of the driving forces behind making fuel cells an area of leadership and a potentially viable industry for Canada with environmental as well as economic benefits. Wilkinson presently maintains a joint appointment with the University of British Columbia (Canada Research Chair) and the National Research Council Canada’s Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation, fostering strong links with industry, academic, and government labs. He is considered to be one of the leading fuel cell inventors in the world, and his present research focuses on fuel cells and the use of electrochemistry in clean energy processes.

Recognition reconnaissance

The Chemical Institute of Canada 2008 Award Winners Gagnants 2008 des prix de l’Institut de chimie du Canada

John C. Vederas, FCIC

Flora T. T. Ng, FCIC

Chemical Institute of Canada Medal Médaille de l’Institut de chimie du Canada Sponsored by / Parrainé par The Chemical Institute of Canada l’Institut de chimie du Canada Chemical Institute of Canada Medal is presented as a mark of distinction and recognition to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the science of chemistry or chemical engineering in Canada. La Médaille de l’Institut de chimie du Canada est décernée à une personne en guise de reconnaissance et pour souligner sa contribution exceptionnelle à la chimie ou au génie chimique au Canada. John C. Vederas, FCIC University of Alberta Department of chemistry John C. Vederas is university professor of chemistry and holds a Canada Research Chair in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry. He obtained a BSc from Stanford University and a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His

32 L’Actualité chimique canadienne maI 2008

Mario Leclerc, MCIC

R. Stanley Brown, FCIC

post-doctoral work at the University of Basel (with Christoph Tamm) and at Purdue University (with Heinz Floss) inspired a continuing interest in application of organic chemistry to understanding of biological mechanisms. He joined the University of Alberta as an assistant professor in 1977. He has received recognition for research and teaching from the University of Alberta, including the Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (1995), the University Cup for Research and Teaching (1998), the J. Gordin Kaplan Award for Excellence in Research (2003), and the Killam Award for Excellence in Mentoring (2003). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (1997) and an Alberta Centennial Medal recipient (2006). He has received the Merck Sharp Dohme Award (1986), the John Labatt Award (1991), the R. U. Lemieux Award (2002), and the Alfred Bader Award (2005) from the Canadian Society for Chemistry for his research. He also served in numerous scientific organizations, was president of the Canadian Society for Chemistry (2002–2003), and was a Member of Council of the Natural Sciences and Engineering (2001–2004).

Geoffrey Rayner-Canham, FCIC

Catalysis Award Prix catalyse Sponsored by / Parrainé par Canadian Catalysis Foundation The Catalysis Award is presented biennially to an individual who, while residing in Canada, has made a distinguished contribution to the field of catalysis. Le Prix de catalyse est décerné à tous les deux ans à une personne résidant au Canada qui s’est distinguée dans le domaine de la catalyse. Flora T. T. Ng, FCIC University of Waterloo Department of chemical engineering Flora T. T. Ng obtained her BSc from the University of Hong Kong and her MSc and PhD from the University of British Columbia. She is currently a professor in chemical engineering and University Research Chair at the University of Waterloo. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Her research encompasses fundamental and applied aspects of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Her earlier research was on the fundamental aspects of homogeneous catalysis with the notable contribution to the determination of the first Co-C

Recognition reconnaissance bond dissociation energy that has important implications in vitamin B12 catalysis. Since joining the University of Waterloo in 1987, her research has focused on the application of catalysis to develop green processes for the petrochemical and oil industry. She is a leading expert on catalytic distillation, a green reactor technology that combines a catalytic reaction and separation leading to enhanced product yield, and selectivity in chemical processes together with a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In collaboration with BP Chemicals, U.K., she has contributed to the successful commercialization of a new process, “Avada,” for the production of ethyl acetate via a direct reaction of ethylene with acetic acid using a solidacid catalyst . The Avada process won an Astra Zeneca Award for the Best Green Chemistry and Engineering Process from the U.K. Institute of Chemical Engineers in 2002. Her innovative research on catalytic upgrading bitumen and heavy oil and the production of ultra clean fuel has also received international attention.

Macromolecular Science and Engineering Award Prix des sciences et du génie macromoléculaires Sponsored by / Parrainé par NOVA Chemicals Corporation The Macromolecular Science and Engineering Award is presented to an individual who, while residing in Canada, has made a distinguished contribution to macro molecular science or engineering. Le Prix des sciences et du génie macromoléculaires est décerné à un individu pour sa brillante contribution dans les domaines des sciences ou du génie macromoléculaires alors qu’il résidait au Canada. Mario Leclerc, MCIC Université Laval Département de chimie Mario Leclerc did his graduate studies at Université Laval, working on conjugated polymers under the guidance of Robert E. Prud’homme, FCIC. He earned his PhD in chemistry in 1987. He then joined the Institut national de recherche scientifique-Énergie

et Matériaux (INRS) in Varennes, QC, for a short post-doctoral stay (1987–1988) in the group of Lê. H. Dao, studying polyanilines. He pursued his post-doctoral studies at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany (1988–1989), working with Gerhard Wegner on the synthesis and characterization of polythiophenes. Leclerc started his academic career at the Université de Montréal in 1989. He was promoted to the level of associate professor in 1994 and to full professor in 1998. He returned to Université Laval in 1998 as full professor, where he has held since 2001 the Canada Research Chair on Electroactive and Photoactive Polymers. This position has been recently renewed until 2014. He has co-authored about 175 papers published in leading scientific journals that have been cited more than 5,500 times. According to the Science Citation Index, he has an h-index of 43. Approximately 35 students have already graduated from his laboratory and 12 are currently pursuing their formation together with six post-doctoral students.

Montréal Medal Médaille de Montréal Sponsored by / Parraigné par The Montréal CIC Local Section / La Section locale de Montréal de l’ICC The Montréal Medal is presented as a mark of distinction and honour to a resident in Canada who has shown significant leadership in or has made an outstanding contribution to the profession of chemistry or chemical engineering in Canada. La Médaille de Montréal est décernée à un individu en guise de reconnaissance pour honorer qualités considérables de leader et la contribution exceptionnelle à la profession de la chimie ou du génie chimique au Canada. R. Stanley Brown, FCIC Queen’s University Department of chemistry R. Stanley Brown received a BSc in chemistry from the University of Alberta in 1968, and MSc and PhD degrees from the University of California at San Diego under the direction of Teddy G. Traylor in 1970 and 1972. After a

two-year NSERC post-doctoral fellowship at Columbia University with Ronald Breslow, he became an assistant professor at the University of Alberta in 1974, becoming professor of chemistry in 1984. In 1995, he moved to Queen’s University as the head of the department of chemistry and has been a professor of chemistry since 2002. Brown’s research work in electrophilic bromination, amide hydrolysis mechanisms, catalysis, and model enzyme chemistry has led to 155 research publications, seven book chapters, numerous invited lectures at national and international meetings and scientific awards such as the CNC-IUPAC Award in 1987, the Syntex Award in 1991, McCalla and Killam Professorships at the University of Alberta in 1989 and 1993, the Alfred Bader Award in Organic Chemistry in 2004, a Killam Research Fellowship, the Queen’s University Excellence in Research Prize in 2006, and most recently the R. U. Lemieux Award in 2007. These complement a record of service to the chemical profession in Canada and abroad through various editorial advisory boards, invitations to review graduate and undergraduate chemistry programs, and through involvement with the CSC as a board member and treasurer from 1988–1990 and then vice-president and president of the CSC in 2003–2005. He established a partnership between the CSC and the Canadian Journal of Chemistry (NRC) with the longer term objective of providing a publication arm to the Canadian chemical community that could be competitive with top journals in the world. He has served the chemistry grant selection committee of NSERC from 1993–1995, as a member of its Major Equipment and Installation Committee in 1999–2000, and the Chemistry Reallocation Steering Committee in 2001.

CIC Award for Chemical Education Prix de l’ICC pour l’enseignement de la chimie Sponsored by / Parraigné par CIC Chemical Education Fund / Le Fonds de l’enseignement de la chimie de l’ICC The CIC Award for Chemical Education is presented as a mark of recognition to

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News 33

Recognition reconnaissance a person who has made an outstanding contribution in Canada to education at the post-secondary level in the field of chemistry or chemical engineering.

World g n i g an h s for a C

Ca l l f o r P a p e r s

June 16, 2008 – Call for Papers Begins November 30, 2008 – Call for Papers Closes

Challeng

Le Prix de l’ICC pour l’enseignement de la chimie souligne la contribution exceptionnelle d’une personne dans le domaine de l’enseignement de la chimie ou du génie chimique au Canada au niveau postsecondaire.

8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering Incorporating the 59th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference and the XXIV interamerican congress of chemical engineering

Montréal, Quebec, Canada • August 23-27,

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2009

Geoffrey Rayner-Canham, FCIC Sir Wilfred Grenfell College Memorial University of Newfoundland Department of chemistry Geoffrey Rayner-Canham was sure he was going to be a geologist until his first mentor, his chemistry teacher in grade school, introduced him to crystal growing and his fate was sealed. After completing his degrees at Imperial College, U.K. and post-doctoral sojourns around Canada, Rayner-Canham settled at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, in Corner Brook, NF. Over the years, he has received outstanding teaching evaluations, and many students have affirmed that he fired their enthusiasm in chemistry. The APICS Science Communication Award (2005) and 3M Fellowship (2007) are among the honours he has received. Rayner-Canham has authored more than 50 articles based on his studies in chemical education, including several on his unique method for solving chemistry calculations and others on new approaches to the periodic table. He is the author of the world’s best-selling university-level book on descriptive inorganic chemistry, and he has also co-authored texts at the high school level. For some of his publications, he has involved college laboratory staff members or undergraduate chemistry students. He has been active for years in outreach work. Regionally, his large on-campus chemistry show brings hundreds of high school chemistry students each year from all over western and central Newfoundland to his presentation “Chemistry’s Everywhere!” More recently, accompanied by a senior science student, he has been taking a version of the presentation to schools in communities across Labrador, the north shore of Québec, and the south shore of Newfoundland. His travels have involved charter plane, charter boat, snowmobile, and even helicopter.

Recognition reconnaissance

Canadian Society for Chemistry 2008 Award Winners Gagnants 2008 des prix de la Société canadienne de chimie

Jack Passmore, FCIC

Thomas G. Back, FCIC

Andrew Wooley

Jamie Rich

Vivian L. Y. Yip

Cornelia Bohne, MCIC

Aaron Wheeler, MCIC

Jacek Lipkowski, FCIC

Albert Stolow

Charles A. Lucy, FCIC

Dennis Hall, FCIC

J. Peter Guthrie, FCIC

George Shimizu, MCIC

David D. Y. Chen

Alcan Award Prix Alcan Sponsored by / Parrainé par Alcan International Limited The Alcan Award is presented to a scientist residing in Canada who has made a

distinguished contribution in the fields of inorganic chemistry or electrochemistry while working in Canada. Le Prix Alcan est décerné à un scientifique résidant au Canada qui a contribué de façon remarquable aux domaines de la chimie inorganique ou de l’électrochimie alors qu’il travaillait au Canada.

Jack Passmore, FCIC University of New Brunswick Department of chemistry Jack Passmore obtained a BSc from Bristol University (U.K) in 1963 and a post-graduate diploma of education in 1964 before completing his PhD at the University of British Columbia with Neil Bartlett in 1967. His post-doctoral work was with Ronald

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News 35

Recognition reconnaissance Gillespie, HFCIC, O.C., in 1968–1969. He was appointed as assistant professor at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in 1969, promoted to full professor in 1978, then made professor emeritus and awarded the UNB Distinguished Service award in 2007. He received a DSc from Bristol University in 1984, and was elected a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada and the Royal Society of Chemistry (U.K.) in 1984 and 1990, respectively. Passmore was guest professor at Hebrew University, Jerusalem, in 1983, a Resident University Fellow at Saint Mary’s College, Durham University in 1990, and Senior Visiting Research Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford University in 1996–1997. He received Humbolt Fellowships in 1977, 1989, and 2001, held at the University of Würzburg, Berlin Technical University, and the University of Karlsrühe, respectively. The overarching philosophy of Passmore’s research is the simple, quantitative preparation of counter-intuitive compounds that exhibit novel bonding and unusual physical properties. He has focused primarily on the

Call for Nominations NSERC E. W. R. Steacie Memorial Fellowships NSERC awards up to six Steacie Fellowships each year to outstanding and highly promising scientists and engineers who are Canadian university faculty members. These fellowships are designed to enhance career development by enabling Fellows to take a leave from their teaching and administrative responsibilities and devote all their time and energy to research. Steacie Fellowships normally include a contribution to the university in the amount of $90,000 per year toward the Fellow’s salary, the replacement of teaching and administrative responsibilities, or the enhancement of the research environment to the Fellow’s department. Deadline: June 30, 2008. For more information, visit www.nserc. gc.ca/steacie/e or contact 613-996-7042 or inquiries.steacie@nserc.ca.

36 L’Actualité chimique canadienne maI 2008

preparation and chemistry of homopolyatomic cations of the heavier group 16–17 elements, as well as on sulphur-nitrogen radicals and multiradicals, and has published about 200 research papers.

Alfred Bader Award Prix Alfred-Bader

awarded the Faculty of Science Excellence in Research Award in 2006. His group’s research is primarily directed toward the design and synthesis of biologically interesting target molecules, including unusual steroids, alkaloids, and glutathione peroxidase mimetics. The elements sulphur and selenium continue to be of special interest in his laboratory. Back and his wife Gisèle spend most of their free time mountaineering and ice climbing in the Rocky Mountains.

Sponsored by / Parrainé par Alfred Bader, HFCIC The Alfred Bader Award is a mark of distinction and recognition of a scientist, who shall not have reached the age of 60, for excellence in organic chemistry research. Le Prix Alfred-Bader est remis en guise de reconnaissance et souligne l’excellence des travaux recherche d’un chercheur en chimie organique de moins de 60 ans. Thomas G. Back, FCIC University of Calgary Department of chemistry Thomas G. Back was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia in 1947 and immigrated to Canada in 1949. He grew up in Montréal, QC, where he attended McGill University and obtained his BSc in chemistry in 1968, followed by a year in industry at Frank W. Horner Ltd. (pharmaceuticals). Back returned to McGill for graduate studies in 1969, obtaining his PhD with David Harpp, FCIC, in 1974 for work on new sulphur-transfer reagents. This was followed by a two-year post-doctoral fellowship with Sir Derek Barton at Imperial College, where he worked on the chemistry of selenoketones and their use in the synthesis of hindered olefins by the two-fold extrusion method. He returned to Canada in 1976 to join the group of O. E. (Ted) Edwards, FCIC, at the NRC in Ottawa, ON, as a research associate, where he worked on the synthesis of steroids and maytansinoids and, independently, on various aspects of selenium chemistry. He moved to the University of Calgary in 1978 to take up a position as assistant professor of chemistry. Except for a sabbatical leave at Stanford University in 1985 with Carl Djerassi, he has remained at the University of Calgary, where he was promoted to full professor in 1987. He has held Killam Resident and JSPS Fellowships, and was

Bernard Belleau Award Prix Bernard-Belleau Sponsored by / Parrainé par Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. The Bernard Belleau Award is presented to a scientist residing in Canada who has made a distinguished contribution to the field of medicinal chemistry through research involving biochemical or organic chemical mechanisms. Le Prix Bernard-Belleau est décerné à un scientifique résidant au Canada qui s’est distingué par sa contribution au domaine de la chimie médicale, en effectuant des recherches touchant les mécanismes biochimiques ou de chimie organique. Andrew Wooley, MCIC University of Toronto Department of chemistry Andrew Woolley was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1962. He moved to Canada in 1967 and was educated here, completing his PhD in bio-organic chemistry with Charles Deber in 1990 on conformational studies of peptides in membranes. After post-doctoral work with Bonnie Wallace at Birkbeck College, University of London, on ion channel structure function and biophysics, he returned to Canada, joining the University of Toronto in 1994. Pursuing work on the chemical modification of ion channels in his own laboratory, he was the first to observe bond cis-trans isomerization events at the single molecule level. Later introduction of photo-isomerizable units led to the development of photo-switchable ion channels, an area of chemical neurobiology that is now seeing widespread application in

Recognition reconnaissance the study of living nervous systems. Further work on photo-isomerizable protein modification reagents led to the development of photo-switchable protein helices that may permit control of a wide range of biochemical process with light. His work was recognized with the Rutherford Medal (Chemistry) in 2004 awarded by the Royal Society of Canada.

where he spent one year as an NSERC postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Mark von Itzstein, working on design and synthesis of new inhibitors of influenza virus sialidase. After a period of parental leave, Rich resumed his studies in the laboratories of Stephen Withers at UBC, where he is involved in the development of engineered carbohydrate processing enzymes for the production of glycoproteins.

Boehringer Ingelheim Award Prix Boehringer Ingelheim Sponsored by / Parrainé par Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. The Boehringer Ingelheim Award is awarded to a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant whose PhD thesis in the field of organic or bio-organic chemistry was formally accepted by a Canadian university in the 12-month period preceding the nomination deadline and whose doctoral research is judged to be of outstanding quality. Le Prix Boehringer Ingelheim est remis à un citoyen canadien ou à un résident permanent dont la thèse de doctorat dans le domaine de la chimie organique ou bioorganique a été officiellement acceptée par une université canadienne au cours des 12 mois qui ont précédé la date limite de mise en candidature, et dont les travaux de recherche en vue du doctorat se démarquent par leur qualité. Jamie Rich University of Alberta Department of chemistry Jamie Rich was born in Vancouver, BC, and was raised nearby on Bowen Island. He attended both the University of British Columbia (UBC) and University of Northern British Columbia. At the latter institution, a summer research opportunity in the lab of Kerry Reimer, MCIC, led him to pursue a degree in chemistry. In 2000, Rich began PhD studies at the University of Alberta with David Bundle, FCIC. His graduate work, supported by NSERC and AHFMR scholarships, focused on the synthesis and immunochemistry of hydrolysis resistant carbohydrate analogues. Following completion of his PhD, Rich moved to Australia

CCUCC Chemistry Doctoral Award Prix de doctorat en chimie du CDDCUC Sponsored by / Parrainé par Canadian Council of University Chemistry Chairs (CCUCC) / Conseil des directeurs de département de chimie des universités canadiennes (CDDCUC) The CCUCC Chemistry Doctoral Award is presented for outstanding achievement and potential in research by a graduate student whose PhD thesis in chemistry was formally accepted by a Canadian university in the 12-month period preceding the nomination deadline. Le prix du doctorat en chimie du CDDCUC est présenté à un étudiant des cycles supérieurs dont la thèse de doctorat en chimie a été formellement acceptée par une université canadienne au cours des 12 mois précédant la date d’échéance des mises en candidatures. Ce prix souligne une contribution et un potentiel en recherche exceptionnels. Vivian L. Y. Yip University of British Columbia Department of chemistry Vivian L. Y. Yip was born in Hong Kong and moved to Vancouver, BC when she was ten years’ old. Her participation in the co-op program during her undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC) gave her a number of research opportunities in academic labs, including those of Anthony Merer, FCIC, David Perrin, MCIC, and Thomas Fyles, FCIC. After dabbling in physical, organic, and bio-organic chemistry,

she embarked on her PhD studies in 2002 under the supervision of Stephen Withers, FCIC, at UBC. Her thesis project focused on the mechanistic investigation of a special group of glycosidases. Ultimately, the thesis work resulted in the first unveiling of a completely novel redox-elimination mechanism to the glycosidases, which for over 50 years were thought to employ only nucleophilic displacement-type mechanisms. Yip was funded by NSERC.

Clara Benson Award Prix Clara-Benson Sponsored by / Parrainé par Canadian Council of University Chemistry Chairs (CCUCC) / Conseil des directeurs de département de chimie des universités canadiennes (CDDCUC) The Clara Benson Award is presented to a woman in recognition of a distinguished contribution to chemistry while working in Canada. Le Prix Clara-Benson est décerné à une femme pour souligner sa contribution remarquable au domaine de la chimie alors qu’elle oeuvrait au Canada. Cornelia Bohne, MCIC University of Victoria Department of chemistry Cornelia Bohne was born and educated in Brazil where she obtained a PhD from the University of São Paulo. She worked as a post-doctoral fellow with Tito Scaiano, FCIC, in Ottawa, ON, and started her independent career in 1992 at the University of Victoria. Bohne developed a comprehensive research program aimed at understanding supramolecular dynamics. Her lab has made major contributions through the development of specialized techniques that led to a deeper understanding of supramolecular chemistry, in particular for cyclodextrins, bile salt aggregates, and proteins as host systems. Bohne has served in several peer review capacities, such as a member of the Inorganic-Organic GSC at NSERC. She is currently associate editor of Photochemistry and

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News 37

Recognition reconnaissance Photobiology and is a past physical-organic editor for Canadian Journal of Chemistry. Other scholarly activities include her involvement in the Inter-American Photochemistry Society where she currently is president of the society. She is also involved in IUPAC as a member of the Canadian National Committee for IUPAC and as a member of the group of specialists reviewing the recommendation for standards in fluorescence. Bohne is a founding member of the Reactive Intermediate Student Exchange program.

Fred Beamish Award Prix Fred-Beamish Sponsored by / Parrainé par Eli Lilly Canada Inc. The Fred Beamish Award is given to recognize individuals who demonstrate innovation in research in the field of analytical chemistry, and whose research is anticipated to have significant potential for practical applications. Le Prix Fred-Beamish vise à reconnaître les chercheurs qui font preuve d’innovation dans le domaine de la chimie analytique et dont les travaux de recherche laissent entrevoir des possibilité d’applications concrètes considérables. Aaron Wheeler, MCIC University of Toronto Department of chemistry Aaron Wheeler began as a faculty member at the University of Toronto in July 2005, with a primary appointment in the department of chemistry and cross-appointments at the Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME) and the Banting and Best Department of Medical Research (BBDMR). During his short time in Toronto, Wheeler has been awarded the Canadian Society of Chemistry’s Fred Beamish Award in Analytical Chemistry, and the Canada Research Chair in Bioanalytical Chemistry. Prior to coming to Toronto, Wheeler completed his PhD in chemistry working with Dick Zare at Stanford University, and then spent two years as a post-doctoral fellow at UCLA, working with Robin Garrell (chemistry

38 L’Actualité chimique canadienne maI 2008

and biochemistry), C. J. Kim (mechanical engineering), and Joe Loo (biological chemistry). While at Stanford, Wheeler developed the first microchannel-based single-cell analysis platform; a paper describing this work (Anal. Chem. 2003, 75, 3581–3586) has become canonical in the field, having been cited nearly 100 times since being published in 2003. For this and other accomplishments, Wheeler earned fellowships from the American Chemical Society and the NIH.

John C. Polanyi Award Prix John-C.-Polanyi The John C. Polanyi Award is presented to a scientist for excellence in research in physical, theoretical, or computational chemistry or chemical physics carried out in Canada. Le prix John-C.-Polanyi est décerné pour souligner l’excellence en recherche effectuée au Canada dans les domaines de la chimie physique, théorique ou numérique, ou de la physicochimie. Jacek Lipkowski, FCIC University of Guelph Department of chemistry Jacek Lipkowski, FCIC, PhD (1974) and DSc (1978), University of Warsaw, Poland, has been a member of the faculty in the department of chemistry, University of Guelph since 1983, CRC Tier I since 2001, and was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2004. He is author of about 175 papers and recipient of a number of national and international awards including the 2007 Killam Research Fellowship, 2004 Gold Medal of the International Society of Electrochemistry, 2004 Zawidzki Medal of the Polish Chemical Society, 1998 Alcan Lecture Award of the Canadian Society for Chemistry, 1996 Jaques Tacussel Prize of the International Society of Electrochemistry, and the 1995 A. V. Humboldt Research Award. His research covers a broad area of surface electrochemistry. He combines electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques to study adsorption of ions and neutral molecules at electrified interfaces. His major achievements were the development of chronocoulometry to measure charge

density at solid electrode surfaces and in situ photon polarization infrared reflection spectroscopy to study thin organic films at electrode surfaces. He also was one of the first to apply neutron reflectometry to study monolayers and bilayers formed by lipids at electrode surfaces. He and his students employ these techniques to study the influence of the electric field on the structure of model biological membranes as well as peptides and protein adsorption at electrified interfaces.

Keith Laidler Award Prix Keith-Laidler The Keith Laidler Award is presented to a scientist who has made a distinguished contribution in the field of physical chemistry while working in Canada. The award recognizes early achievement in the awardee’s independent research career. Le Prix Keith-Laidler est décerné à un scientifique pour sa contribution remarquable dans le domaine de la chimie physique alors qu’il travaillait au Canada. Le prix souligne les réalisations précoces dans la carrière indépendente en recherche du récipiendaire. Albert Stolow Steacie Institute for Molecular Science National Research Council Canada Albert Stolow is a principal research officer within the Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences, National Research Council Canada and Program Leader of the Molecular Photonics Group. He is adjunct professor of chemistry and adjunct professor of physics at Queen’s University and adjunct professor of physics at the University of Ottawa. His group’s research interests include ultrafast molecular dynamics and quantum control, biophotonics, non-linear optical spectroscopy, strong field phenomena, and non-linear microscopy of live cells. Stolow studied chemistry and physics at Queen’s University and then obtained his PhD degree in physical chemistry from the University of Toronto in 1988, studying under Nobel Laureate John C. Polanyi, HFCIC. Stolow was an NSERC post-doctoral fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1989–1992

Recognition reconnaissance where he worked with Nobel Laureate Yuan T. Lee. In fall 1992, he joined the National Research Council Canada where he established laboratories and research programs for the study of femtosecond molecular dynamics and quantum control.

Research Fellowship in 1996; the W. A. E. McBryde Medal from the CSC in 1998; and the International Ion Chromatography Achievement Award in 2002. He is on the editorial boards of seven journals including the Canadian Journal of Chemistry.

Maxxam Award

Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research Award

Prix Maxxam Sponsored by / Parrainé par Maxxam Analytics Inc. The Maxxam Award is presented to a scientist residing in Canada who has made a distinguished contribution in the field of analytical chemistry while working in Canada. Le Prix Maxxam est décerné à un scientifique résidant au Canada qui s’est distingué dans le domaine de la chimie analytique alors qu’il travaillait au Canada. Charles A. Lucy, FCIC University of Alberta Department of chemistry Charles A. Lucy, FCIC, grew up in southwestern Manitoba. He received his BSc (co-op) from the University of Victoria and his PhD from the University of Alberta under the direction of Fred Cantwell, FCIC. After an NSERC post-doctoral at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) with Pete Carr, Lucy worked as a research scientist at Atomic Energy of Canada’s Chalk River Laboratories for three years. He joined the University of Calgary in 1992, and he moved to the University of Alberta as a full professor in 1999. Lucy has co-authored over a hundred papers on fundamental and practical aspects of capillary electrophoresis and ion chromatography, but has also written on eclectic topics such as analytical chemistry in fiction, the use of humour in teaching, and professional skills for analytical chemists. He has given talks inspired by Shakespeare’s Seven Ages of Man and the nose jokes from the movie Roxanne, but will try to restrain himself. Seven graduate students currently work in his lab. Lucy’s awards and honoraria include: a University of Calgary Faculty of Science

Prix du Centre de recherché thérapeutique Merck Frosst Sponsored by / Parrainé par Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. Merck Frosst Canada Ltée. The Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research Award is presented to a scientist residing in Canada, who shall not have reached the age of 40 years by April 1 of the year of nomination and who has made a distinguished contribution in the fields of organic chemistry or biochemistry while working in Canada. Le Prix du Centre de recherché thérapeutique Merck Frosst est attribué à un scientifique résidant au Canada qui n’a pas atteint l’âge de 40 ans au 1er l’année de mise en nomination qui s’est distingué dans les domaines de la chimie organique ou de la biochimie alors qu’il travaillait au Canada. Dennis Hall, FCIC University of Alberta Department of chemistry Dennis Hall was born in Baie-Comeau, in northeastern Québec. Upon completion of high school and CÉGEP, Hall enrolled in the BSc chemistry program of Université de Sherbrooke, and spent co-op terms at DuPont Central Research (Wilmington, DE) and BioMéga/Boehringer Ingelheim (Laval, QC). He pursued PhD studies at Sherbrooke in synthetic organic chemistry under the direction of Pierre Deslongchamps, FCIC. After graduating in 1995, Hall spent two years as an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow in the labs of Peter Schultz at the University of California, Berkeley, where he focused on bio-organic and combinatorial chemistry. In 1997, he began his independent career in the department of chemistry at the University of Alberta. The unifying theme

of his research program is the development of new synthetic and biological applications of boronic acid derivatives, with topics including stereocontrolled catalytic allylboration methodology, multicomponent reactions, natural product synthesis, solid-phase organic synthesis, combinatorial chemistry and oligosaccharide recognition. Hall is on the editorial advisory board of the Journal of Combinatorial Chemistry, and served as editor of a major book project (Boronic Acids: Preparation, Applications in Organic Synthesis and Medicine, Wiley-VCH, 2005). He has authored 54 research publications as an independent scientist, and he has received other awards and prizes, including the AstraZeneca Award in Chemistry (2003), the Martha Cook Piper Research Prize (University of Alberta, 2004), and was named a Humboldt Research Fellow (2006), and a JSPS Visiting Fellow (2007). As a true organic chemist, he is the proud father of two young daughters.

R. U. Lemieux Award Prix de R.-U.-Lemieux Sponsored by / Parrainé par The CIC Organic Chemistry Division Le Division de chimie organique de l’ICC Merck Frosst Canada Ltée. The R. U. Lemieux Award is presented to an organic chemist who has made a distinguished contribution to any area of organic chemistry while working in Canada. Le Prix R.-U.-Lemieux est remis à un chimiste organicien pour souligner sa contribution remarquable dans toutes les sphères de la chimie organique alors qu’il travaillait au Canada. J. Peter Guthrie, FCIC The University of Western Ontario Department of chemistry J. Peter Guthrie, FCIC, was born in rural Ontario (Port Elgin) in 1942. His university education began at The University of Western Ontario, where he now serves as professor. Following his BSc from Western in 1964, Guthrie went to Harvard and obtained his PhD in 1968 under the direction of Frank Westheimer. After a post-doctoral fellowship

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News 39

Recognition reconnaissance at Princeton University, he joined the faculty at Western in 1969 as an assistant professor, becoming a full professor in 1978. Among his many honors, Guthrie has held the Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, the E. W. R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship, the Syntex Award (CSC), the Alfred Bader Award (CSC), a Killam Fellowship, and has been made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Chemical Institute of Canada. Guthrie has always been an active member of the Canadian chemical community, serving as a member of the NSERC Grant Selection Committee, Chair of the Biochemistry Division of the CSC, and a member of the CSC Accreditation Committee. He has organized and participated at countless CSCCE and POMS meetings.

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Strem Chemicals Award for Pure or Applied Inorganic Chemistry Prix de chimie inorganique pure ou appliquée de Strem Chemicals Sponsored by / Parrainé par Strem Chemicals, Inc. The Strem Chemicals Award for Pure or Applied Inorganic Chemistry is presented to a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant within ten years of their first professional appointment as an independent researcher in academic, government or industrial sectors, who has made an outstanding contribution to inorganic chemistry, demonstrating exceptional promise, while working in Canada. Le Prix Strem Chemicals de chimie inorganique pure ou appliquée est remis à un citoyen canadien ou un résidant permanent dans les dix années suivant sa première nomination professionnelle à titre de chercheur indépendant dans un environement universitaire, gouvernemental ou industriel au Canada. Le prix souligne une contribution exceptionnelle à la chimie organique et un avenir prometteur. George Shimizu, MCIC University of Calgary Department of chemistry George Shimizu is originally from Winnipeg, MB. After a BSc at the University of Winnipeg, he completed a PhD with Steve Loeb, FCIC, at the University of Windsor. This was followed by post-doctoral work with Fraser Stoddart at the University of Birmingham as an NSERC PDF and John Ripmeester, MCIC, and Dan Wayner, FCIC, at the National Research Council Canada as an NSERC visiting fellow/ associate research officer. In 1998, Shimizu took up a faculty position at Calgary. Currently, Shimizu is a full professor in the department of chemistry. His research concerns novel inorganic materials for fuel cell applications via supramolecular chemistry. He has received a Research Corporation Research Innovation Award, Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award, and a visiting professorship at Shizuoka University in Japan. He is on the

international organizing committee for the inaugural conference on Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) to be held in Germany in 2008. He and his wife, Lisa, spend much of their spare time chasing after one-year-old Ben.

W. A. E. McBryde Medal Médaille W.-A.-E.-McBryde Sponsored by / Parrainé par MDS Sciex The W. A. E. McBryde Medal is presented to a young scientist working in Canada who has made a significant achievement in pure or applied analytical chemistry. La Médaille W.-A.-E.-McBryde est attribuée à un jeune scientifique pour souligner une réussite importante dans le domaine de la chimie analytique pure ou appliquée alors qu’il travaillait au Canada. David D. Y. Chen University of British Columbia Department of chemistry David D. Y. Chen and his co-workers at the University of British Columbia have made significant contributions to the understanding of the principles of chemical separation and the effects of physical field and chemical interactions on the migration behaviour of analytes in column separation systems. With insights into how molecules migrate and interact, dilute samples can be concentrated and complex mixtures can be separated at the same time in a single capillary electrophoresis process. Using computer simulation in conjunction with experiment, his group characterized the various CE methods used to determine binding constants of molecular interactions. His group has also developed an atmospheric pressure ion lens technology for increasing electrospray stability and ion transport efficiency in ion sources to interface mass spectrometry with low flow rate separation methods. Among other important sources of support, operating grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada have been critical to establishing and maintaining the quality of Chen’s research program.

careers carrières

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News 41

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Canada Conferences May 22-24, 2008. 10th Annual LON-CAPA Conference and Workshop at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, www.sfu.ca/loncapaconference May 24–28, 2008. 91st Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Edmonton, AB, www.csc2008.ca May 26, 2008. Short Course in Industrial Oilfield Chemistry at the 91st Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Edmonton, AB, www.csc2008.ca May 29–31, 2008. Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWESTT) Conference, Guelph, ON, www.ccwestt2008.ca June 2–5, 2008. International Pulp Bleaching Conference, Québec, QC, www.paptac.ca June 15–18, 2008. 20th Canadian Symposium on Catalysis, Kingston, ON, www.20csc2008.ca

August 23–27, 2009. 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering incorporating the 59th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference and XXIV Interamerican congress of Chemical Engineering, Montréal, QC, www.wcce8.org

U.S. and Overseas June 15–19, 2008. World Hydrogen Energy Conference, South Brisbane, Australia, www.whec2008.com August 3–8, 2008. Chemistry in the ICT Age—the 20th International Conference on Chemical Education (ICCE 2008), Reduit, Mauritius, www.uom.ac.mu/20icce.htm August 4–6, 2008. 12th Asia-Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Meeting—the Chemical Engineering Exhibition, Dalian, China, www.apcche.org

June 16–18, 2008. Control Systems/Pan Pacific Conference, Vancouver, BC, www.paptac.ca

August 17–22, 2008. 25th Meeting of the International Society of Chemical Ecology, State College, PA, www.chemecol.org/ meetings/meetings.htm

July 14–18, 2008. IUPAC International Conference on Biodiversity and Natural Products—ICOB-6 and ISCNP-26, Charlottetown, PE, www.iupac-icbnp2008.com

August 24–28, 2008. 18th International Congress of Chemical and Process Engineering, Praha, Czech Republic, www.chisa.cz/2008

August 3–6, 2008. 54th International Conference on Analytical Sciences and Spectroscopy (ICASS), Montreal, QC, www.icass.ca

September 16–20, 2008. 2nd European Chemistry Congress–Chemistry: the Global Science, Torino, Italy, www.euchemstorino2008.it

August 13–16, 2008. 13th Symposium on the Latest Trends in Organic Synthesis, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, www. brocku.ca/chemistry/faculty/Hudlicky/ltos/ intro.html

October 20–22, 2008. LABTECH Conference & Exhibition 2008, Manama, Bahrain, www.lab-tech.info

June 16–18, 2008. Surface Canada 2008 (SC08), University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, www.chemistry.uguelph.ca/SC08 September 6–10, 2008. 6th International Symposium on Radiohalogens, Whistler, BC, www.triumf.info/hosted/6ISR

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October 19–22, 2008. 58th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, Ottawa, ON, www.csche2008.ca

November 16–21, 2008. 2008 AIChE Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, www.aiche.org/ Conferences/AnnualMeeting/index.aspx December 12–15, 2008. 10th European Meeting on Supercritical Fluids, Strasbourg, France, www.isasf.net/strasbourg

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The Chemical Institute of Canada Medal is presented as a mark of distinction and recognition to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the science of chemistry or chemical engineering in Canada. Sponsored by the Chemical Institute of Canada. Award: A medal and travel expenses. The Montréal Medal is presented as a mark of distinction and honour to a resident in Canada who has shown significant leadership in or has made an outstanding contribution to the profession of chemistry or chemical engineering in Canada. In determining the eligibility for nominations for the award, administrative contributions within The Chemical Institute of Canada and other professional organizations that contribute to the advancement of the professions of chemistry and chemical engineering shall be given due consideration. Contributions to the sciences of chemistry and chemical engineering are not to be considered. Sponsored by the Montréal CIC Local Section. Award: A medal and travel expenses.

Environmental Improvement Award is presented to a Canadian The

company, individual, team, or organization for a significant achievement in pollution prevention, treatment, or remediation. Sponsored by the Environment Division. Award: A plaque and travel assistance. The Macromolecular Science and Engineering Award is presented to an individual who, while residing in Canada, has made a distinguished contribution to macromolecular science or engineering. Sponsored by NOVA Chemicals Ltd. Award: A framed scroll, a cash prize, and travel expenses. The CIC Award for Chemical Education (formerly the Union Carbide Award) is presented as a mark of recognition to a person who has made an outstanding contribution in Canada to education at the post-secondary level in the field of chemistry or chemical engineering. Sponsored by the CIC Chemical Education Fund. Award: A framed scroll and a cash prize.

Deadlines

The deadline for all CIC awards is July 2, 2008 for the 2009 selection.

Nomination Procedure

Submit your nominations to: Awards Manager Chemical Institute of Canada 130 Slater Street, Suite 550 Ottawa, ON K1P 6E2 Tel.: 613-232-6252, ext. 223 Fax: 613-232-5862 awards@cheminst.ca

Nomination forms and the full Terms of Reference for these awards are available at www.cheminst.ca/awards.

may 2008 Canadian Chemical News 43

Nominations are now open for the

Canadian Society for Chemistry

2009AWARDSAct now!

Do you know an outstanding person who deserves to be recognized?

The Alcan Award is presented to a scientist residing in Canada who has made a distinguished contribution in the fields of inorganic chemistry or electrochemistry while working in Canada. Sponsored by Alcan International Ltd. Award: A framed scroll, a cash prize, and travel expenses. The Alfred Bader Award is presented as a mark of distinction and recognition for excellence in research in organic chemistry carried out in Canada. Sponsored by Alfred Bader, HFCIC. Award: A framed scroll, a cash prize, and travel expenses. The Strem Chemicals Award for Pure or Applied Inorganic Chemistry is presented to a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant who has made an outstanding contribution to inorganic chemistry while working in Canada, and who is within ten years of his or her first professional appointment as an independent researcher in an academic, government, or industrial sector. Sponsored by Strem Chemicals Inc. Award: A framed scroll and travel expenses for a lecture tour. The Boehringer Ingelheim Award is presented to a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant whose PhD thesis in the field of organic or bioorganic chemistry was formally accepted by a Canadian university in the 12-month period preceding the nomination deadline of July 3 and whose doctoral research is judged to be of outstanding quality. Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. Award: A framed scroll, a cash prize, and travel expenses. The Clara Benson Award is presented in recognition of a distinguished contribution to chemistry by a woman while working in Canada. Sponsored by the Canadian Council 44 L’Actualité chimique canadienne mai 2008

The Maxxam Award is presented to a scientist residing in Canada who has made a distinguished contribution in the field of analytical chemistry while working in Canada. Sponsored by Maxxam Analytics Inc. Award: A framed scroll, a cash prize, and travel expenses.

The Fred Beamish Award is presented to an individual who demonstrates innovation in research in the field of analytical chemistry, where the research is anticipated to have significant potential for practical applications. The award is open to new faculty members at a Canadian university and they must be recent graduates with six years of appointment. Sponsored by Eli Lilly Canada Inc. Award: A framed scroll, a cash prize, and travel expenses.

The R. U. Lemieux Award is presented to an organic chemist who has made a distinguished contribution to any area of organic chemistry while working in Canada. Sponsored by the Organic Chemistry Division. Award: A framed scroll, a cash prize, and travel expenses.

The Keith Laidler Award is presented to a scientist who has made a distinguished contribution in the field of physical chemistry while working in Canada. The award recognizes early achievement in the awardee’s independent research career. Award: A framed scroll.

The Merck Frosst Cenre for Therapeutic Research Award is presented to a scientist

The W. A. E. McBryde Medal is presented to a young scientist working in Canada who has made a significant achievement in pure or applied analytical chemistry. Sponsored by Sciex Inc., Division of MDS Health Group. Award: A medal and a cash prize.

of University Chemistry Chairs (CCUCC).

Award: A framed scroll, a cash prize, and travel expenses.

residing in Canada, who shall not have reached the age of 40 years by April 1 of the year of nomination and who has made a distinguished contribution in the fields of organic chemistry or biochemistry while working in Canada. Sponsored by Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. Award: A framed scroll, a cash prize, and travel expenses.

The Bernard Belleau Award is presented to a scientist residing in Canada who has made a distinguished contribution to the field of medicinal chemistry through research involving biochemical or organic chemical mechanisms. Sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. Award: A framed scroll and a cash prize. The John C. Polanyi Award is presented to a scientist for excellence in research in physical, theoretical or computational chemistry or chemical physics carried out in Canada. Award: A framed scroll.

Deadline The deadline for all CSC awards is July 2, 2008 for the 2009 selection.

Nomination Procedure Submit your nominations to: Awards Manager The Canadian Society for Chemistry 130 Slater Street, Suite 550 Ottawa, ON K1P 6E2 Tel.: 613-232-6252, ext. 223 Fax: 613-232-5862 awards@cheminst.ca Nomination forms and the full Terms of Reference for these awards are available at www.chemistry.ca/awards.

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