Awards and Accolades

UBC Science faculty have won numerous esteemed awards, identifying our researchers among the best in the country and worldwide.

Nobel Laureate

  • Carl Wieman, UBC Science Education Initiative
  • Michael Smith, Biochemistry

Royal Society of London, Fellows

  • Gordon Slade, Mathematics
  • Stephen Withers, Chemistry
  • Ian Affleck, Physics and Astronomy
  • Martin Barlow, Mathematics
  • Julian Davies, Microbiology and Immunology
  • David Dolphin, Chemistry
  • Edwin Perkins, Mathematics
  • Loren Rieseberg, Botany
  • George Albert Sawatzky, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry
  • Dolph Schluter, Zoology
  • Anthony Sinclair, Zoology
  • William Unruh, Physics and Astronomy
  • Colin Clark, Mathematics

National Academy of Sciences

Established by an Act of Congress, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, the NAS is charged with providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. Scientists are elected by their peers to membership in the NAS for outstanding contributions to research

  • Catherine Johnson, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2023)
  • Dolph Schluter, Zoology (2017)
  • Philip Hieter, Medical Genetics, Michael Smith Labs (2016)
  • Julian Davies, Microbiology & Immunology (2014)
  • Sarah P Otto, Zoology (2013)
  • Michael Smith, Biochemistry (1996)
  • Carl Wieman, Science Education Initiative (1995)

American Academy of Arts & Sciences

One of North America's most prestigious honorary societies, AAAS bestows membership on some of the world's most accomplished leaders from academia, business, public affairs, the humanities, and the arts.

  • Catherine Johnson, Earth, Oceans and Atmospheric Sciences (2022)
  • Margo Seltzer, Computer Sciences (2021)
  • Sarah P Otto, Zoology (2016)
  • Michael Whitlock, Zoology (2013)
  • Phil Hieter, MIchael Smith Labs (2012)
  • Dolph Schluter, Zoology (2012)
  • Loren Rieseberg, Botany (2004)
  • William Unruh, Physics and Astronomy (2003)

American Association for the Advancement of Science

AAAS bestows membership to those whose efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications in service to society have distinguished them among their peers.

  • Rashid Sumaila, Atmospheric and Hydrospheric Sciences (2023)
  • Shawn Mansfield, Botany (2022)
  • Jesse Brewer, Physics and Astronomy (2020)
  • Julian Davies, Biological Sciences (1990)
  • Beverly Green, Biological Sciences (2012)
  • Steven Hallam, Biological Sciences (2013)
  • Patrick Keeling, Biological Sciences (2013)
  • James Kronstad, Biological Sciences (2006)
  • Hongbin Li, Chemistry (2020)
  • Daniel Pauly, Agriculture, Food, and Renewable Resources (2013)
  • Loren Rieseberg, Biological Sciences (2003)
  • Laurel Schafer, Chemistry (2014)
  • Geoffrey Wasteneys, Biological Sciences (2012)
  • Michael Whitlock, Biological Sciences (2011)

Royal Society of Canada, Fellows

The highest academic accolade in the sciences, humanities and arts bestowed in this country. More than 50 UBC Science faculty members have received this honour.

  • Kevin Leyton-Brown, Computer Science (2023)
  • Leah Edelstein-Keshet, Mathematics (2023)
  • Catherine Johnson, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2023)
  • Diane Srivastava, Zoology (2023)
  • Mark Van Raamsdonk, Physics and Astronomy (2023)
  • Jiahua Chen, Statistics (2022)
  • Villy Christensen, Institute of Oceans and Fisheries (2022)
  • Marcel Franz, Physics and Astronomy (2022)
  • Alejandro Adem, Mathematics (2021)
  • Curtis Berlinguette, Chemistry (2021)
  • Raymond Ng, Computer Science (2021)
  • Amanda Vincent, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (2020)
  • Alla Sheffer, Computer Science (2020)
  • Mark Halpern, Physics and Astronomy (2020)
  • Patricia Schulte, Zoology (2019)
  • Rashid Sumaila, Institute of Oceans and Fisheries (2019)
  • Juncheng Wei, Mathematics (2019)
  • Michael Whitlock, Zoology (2019)
  • Shawn Mansfield, Botany (2018)
  • Andreas Damascelli, Physics and Astronomy (2018)
  • Uri Ascher, Computer Science (2018)
  • Laurel Schafer, Chemistry (2017)
  • Gary Hinshaw, Physics and Astronomy (2017)
  • Dominique Weis, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2016)
  • Joerg Bohlmann, Botany (2015)
  • Anthony Peter Farrell, Zoology (2015)
  • Roger François, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2015)
  • Gail Murphy, Computer Science (2015)
  • Mark MacLachlan, Chemistry (2014)
  • Harvey Richer, Physics and Astronomy (2014)
  • Doug Oldenburg, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2013)
  • Anne Condon, Computer Science (2012)
  • Patrick Keeling, Botany (2011)
  • Wayne Maddison, Botany, Zoology (2011)
  • Chris Orvig, Chemistry (2010)
  • Loren Rieseberg, Botany (2010)
  • David Kirkpatrick, Computer Science (2009)
  • Alan Mackworth, Computer Science (2009)
  • Curtis Suttle, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2008)
  • Ivar Ekeland, Mathematics (2008)
  • David Brydges, Mathematics (2007)
  • Donald Douglas, Chemistry (2007)
  • Sarah P Otto, Zoology (2006)
  • John Hepburn, Chemistry (2005)
  • Douglas Bonn, Physics and Astronomy (2005)
  • James Zidek, Statistics (2003)
  • Marc Bustin, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2003)
  • John Schrader, Microbiology and Immunology (2003)
  • Steven Withers, Chemistry (2002)
  • John Scheffer, Chemistry (2002)
  • George Sawatzky, Physics and Astronomy (2002)
  • Brett Finlay, Microbiology and Immunology (2001)
  • J Thomas Tiedje, Physics and Astronomy (2001)
  • David Dolphin, Chemistry (2001)
  • Dolph Schluter, Zoology (2001)
  • Gordon Slade, Mathematics (2000)
  • Gordon Semenoff, Physics and Astronomy (2000)
  • Raymond J Andersen, Chemistry (2000)

Royal Society of Canada, College

The RSC College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists is Canada’s first national system of multidisciplinary recognition for the emerging generation of intellectual leadership.

  • Christoph Ortner, Math (2022)
  • William Cheung, Institute of Oceans and Fisheries (2018) 
  • Kai Chan, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (2017)  
  • Joanna McGrenere, Computer Science (2017) 
  • Roman Krems, Chemistry (2016) 
  • Philippe Tortelle, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Botany (2016) 

Order of Canada, Officers and Members

The Governor General of Canada recognizes lifetime achievements, dedication to the community and service to the nation with membership in the Order of Canada. UBC Science faculty have been appointed, including:

  • Walter Hardy, Department of Physics and Astronomy
  • Curtis Suttle, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
  • James Zidek, Department of Statistics
  • Nassif Ghoussoub, Department of Mathematics
  • David Dolphin, Department of Chemistry
  • Brett Finlay, Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Microbiology and Immunology
  • Jaymie Matthews, Department of Physics and Astronomy
  • Gordon Semenoff, Department of Physics and Astronomy
  • Peter Zandstra, Michael Smith Laboratories

Sloan Research Fellows

Identifies some of the most promising young faculty on the continent. Recent recipients include:

  • Dr. Alannah Hallas, Physics and Astronomy (2023)
  • Ben Matthews, Zoology (2021)
  • Russ Algar, Chemistry (2017)
  • Mark Schmidt, Computer Science (2017)
  • Katherine Ryan, Chemistry (2016)
  • Stephanie Waterman, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2015)
  • Mary O'Connor, Zoology (2013)
  • Nicholas Harvey, Computer Science (2013)
  • Young-Heon Kim, Mathematics (2012)
  • Andrew Warfield, Computer Science (2012)
  • Omer Angel, Mathematics (2010)
  • Joshua Folk, Physics and Astronomy (2010)
  • Robert Raussendorf, Physics and Astronomy (2009)
  • Scott M Oser, Physics and Astronomy (2008)
  • Andrea Damascelli, Physics and Astronomy (2007)
  • Laurel Schafer, Chemistry (2007)
  • Ruth Signorell, Chemistry (2007)
  • Mona Berciu, Physics and Astronomy (2006)
  • Jozsef Solymosi, Mathematics (2006)
  • Vlada Limic, Mathematics (2005)
  • Steven S Plotkin, Physics and Astronomy (2005)
  • Mark Van Raamsdonk, Physics and Astronomy (2005)
  • Fei Zhou, Physics and Astronomy (2005)
  • Marcel Franz, Physics and Astronomy (2002)
  • Vinayak Vatsal, Mathematics (2002)

Guggenheim Fellows

  • Michael Doebeli, Math, Zoology (2015)
  • Sally Otto, Zoology (2011)
  • Patrick Keeling, Botany (2011)
  • Brian R James, Chemistry (1983)

EWR Steacie Prize for Natural Sciences

Canada's top honor for young scientists and engineers in the natural sciences.

  • Mary O'Connor, Zoology (2020)
  • Mark MacLachlan, Chemistry (2014)
  • Sarah Otto, Zoology (2007)
  • NCJ Strynadka, Biochemistry (2002)
  • Brett Finlay, Michael Smith Laboratories (1998)
  • Ian Affleck, Physics and Astronomy (1988)
  • Bill Unruh, Physics and Astronomy (1983)
  • DW Boyd, Mathematics (1978)
  • Walter N Hardy, Physics and Astronomy (1978)
  • HJ Greenwood, Geology (1968)
  • Myer Bloom, Physics and Astronomy (1967)
  • Neil Bartlett, Chemistry (1965)

NSERC Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships (previously EWR Steacie Memorial Fellowship)

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships honour young Canadian researchers.

  • Mark Schmidt, Computer Science (2023)
  • Mary O’Connor, Zoology (2020)
  • William Cheung, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (2020)
  • Curtis P Berlinguette, Chemistry (2016)
  • Kevin Leyton-Brown, Computer Science (2014)
  • Mark MacLachlan, Chemistry (2012)
  • Andrea Damascelli, Physics and Astronomy (2011)
  • Ruth Signorell, Chemistry (2011)
  • Diane Srivastava, Zoology (2010)
  • Joerg Bohlmann, Michael Smith Laboratories, Botany (2006)
  • Gail Murphy, Computer Science (2006)
  • Michael Doebeli, Biology, Mathematics (2005)

Prix Galien

The most prestigious award in the field of Canadian pharmaceutical research and innovation. Referred to as the Nobel Prize of pharmaceutical research, it recognizes the efforts and achievements of pharmaceutical research and development.

  • Brett Finlay, Microbiology and Immunology (2014)
  • Robert Hancock, Microbiology and Immunology (2012)

Recent Disciplinary Distinctions

2024 CAP/DCMMP Brockhouse Medal, Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP)
Marcel Franz

2023 Crafoord Prize in Biosciences, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Dolph Schluter

2022 Global Environmental Change Early Career Award, American Geophysical Union
Sean Michaletz

2020 Volvo Environment Prize
Claire Kremen

2018 Carlyle S Beals Award
Mark Halpern

2018 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics
Gary Hinshaw

Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology
Bill Mohn

2017 John G FitzGerald Award, Canadian Association for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Bob Hancock

Fellow, American Mathematical Society
Jim Bryan

President's Prize, Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
Susan Allen

Foreign Associate of the French Academy of Science
Ian Affleck

2016 Varnes Medal, International Consortium on Landslides
Oldrich Hungr

2016 Chemical Institute of Canada Medal
Steve Withers

Parsons Medal for Excellence in Ocean Science
Christopher Harley

Sewall Wright Award, American Society of Naturalists
Sarah Otto

Peter Benchley Ocean Award
Daniel Pauly

Outstanding Paper Award, NA Manufacturing Research Conference
Alla Sheffer

John Patterson Medal, Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
William Hsieh

Centre de recherches mathématiques-SSC Prize
Matías Salibián-Barrera

Prix Jacques Tacussel, International Society of Electrochemistry
Dan Bizzotto

Guggenheim Fellowship
Michael Doebeli

Norman R Farnsworth Award, American Society of Pharmacognosy
Raymond Andersen

Clara Benson Award, Canadian Society for Chemistry
Laurel Schafer

Jeffery-Williams Prize, Canadian Mathematical Society
Alejandro Adem

3M National Teaching Fellowship
Sara Harris

Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers
Parisa Mehrkhodavandi

Adrien Pouliot Award, Canadian Mathematical Society
Mark MacLean

Fellows, American Physical Society
Philip Stamp, Marcel Franz, Andrea Damascelli

Coxeter-James Prize, Canadian Mathematical Society
Dong Li

Billings Medal, Geological Association of Canada
Paul Smith