Awards and Accolades

Nobel Laureates

Eight Nobel Laureates are associated with UBC. Four have connections to UBC Science—most famously Dr. Michael Smith who won the prize in 1993 while at the University.

  • Michael Smith (1993, Chemistry) 
    Won for groundbreaking work in reprogramming DNA segments. Founder of UBC’s Michael Smith Laboratories.
     
  • Carl Wieman (2001, Physics) 
    Joined the University in 2007 to lead UBC Science’s efforts to transform undergraduate science education.
  • Bertram N Brockhouse (1994, Physics) 
    Graduated from UBC with BA in physics and math in 1947, before impressive career at McMaster University.
  • Hans G Dehmelt (1989, Physics)
    Conducted work at the Volkoff laboratory at UBC Physics and Astronomy, prior to a move to University of Washington.

Royal Society of London, Fellows

Fellowship in the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence is one of the greatest honours researchers can receive.

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

National Academy of Sciences

America's preeminent independent, objective science and technology academy. Scientists are elected for outstanding contributions to research.

  • Patrick Keeling, Botany (2024)
  • Catherine Johnson, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2023)
  • Dolph Schluter, Zoology (2017)
  • Philip Hieter, Michael Smith Labs (2016)
  • Julian Davies, Microbiology & Immunology (2014)
  • Sarah P Otto, Zoology (2013)
  • Michael Smith, Biochemistry, Zoology (1996)
  • Carl Wieman, Science Education Initiative (1995)

American Academy of Arts and Sciences

One of North America's most prestigious honorary societies, members are among the world's most accomplished leaders from academia 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)
  • Philip 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

Bestows membership to those whose efforts to advance science in service to society have distinguished them among their peers.

  • Rashid Sumaila, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (2023)
  • Shawn Mansfield, Botany (2022)
  • Jesse Brewer, Physics and Astronomy (2020)
  • Hongbin Li, Chemistry (2020)
  • Laurel Schafer, Chemistry (2014)
  • Steven Hallam, Microbiology and Immunology (2013)
  • Patrick Keeling, Botany (2013)
  • Daniel Pauly, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, Zoology (2013)
  • Beverly Green, Botany (2012)
  • Geoffrey Wasteneys, Botany (2012)
  • Michael Whitlock, Zoology (2011)
  • James Kronstad, Michael Smith Laboratories, Microbiology and Immunology (2006)
  • Loren Rieseberg, Botany (2003)
  • Julian Davies, Microbiology and Immunology (1990)

Royal Society of Canada, Fellows

The highest academic accolade in the sciences, humanities and arts bestowed in Canada. 

  • Margo Seltzer, Computer Science (2024)
  • 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)
  • Mark Halpern, Physics and Astronomy (2020)
  • Sabrina Leslie, Michael Smith Laboratories, Physics and Astronomy (2020)
  • Alla Sheffer, Computer Science (2020)
  • Amanda Vincent, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (2020)
  • Patricia Schulte, Zoology (2019)
  • Rashid Sumaila, Institute of Oceans and Fisheries (2019)
  • Juncheng Wei, Mathematics (2019)
  • Michael Whitlock, Zoology (2019)
  • Uri Ascher, Computer Science (2018)
  • Andreas Damascelli, Physics and Astronomy (2018)
  • Shawn Mansfield, Botany (2018)
  • Gary Hinshaw, Physics and Astronomy (2017)
  • Laurel Schafer, Chemistry (2017)
  • Dominique Weis, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2016)
  • Joerg Bohlmann, Michael Smith Laboratories, Botany (2015)
  • Roger François, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2015)
  • Gail Murphy, Computer Science (2015)
  • Anthony Peter Farrell, Zoology (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)
  • Ivar Ekeland, Mathematics (2008)
  • Curtis Suttle, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2008)
  • David Brydges, Mathematics (2007)
  • Donald Douglas, Chemistry (2007)
  • Charles Haynes, Michael Smith Laboratories (2007)
  • Sarah P Otto, Zoology (2006)
  • Douglas Bonn, Physics and Astronomy (2005)
  • John Hepburn, Chemistry (2005)
  • Philip Hieter, Michael Smith Laboratories (2005)
  • Marc Bustin, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2003)
  • John Schrader, Microbiology and Immunology (2003)
  • James Zidek, Statistics (2003)
  • George Sawatzky, Physics and Astronomy (2002)
  • John Scheffer, Chemistry (2002)
  • Steven Withers, Chemistry (2002)
  • David Dolphin, Chemistry (2001)
  • Brett Finlay, Michael Smith Laboratories, Microbiology and Immunology (2001)
  • Dolph Schluter, Zoology (2001)
  • Terrance Snutch, Michael Smith Laboratories, Zoology (2001)
  • J Thomas Tiedje, Physics and Astronomy (2001)
  • Gordon Semenoff, Physics and Astronomy (2000)
  • Gordon Slade, Mathematics (2000)
  • Raymond J Andersen, Chemistry (2000)

Royal Society of Canada, College

Canada’s first system of multidisciplinary recognition for the nation's emerging generation of intellectual leadership.

  • Marie Auger-Méthé, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, and Statistics (2024)
  • Andrea Reid, Centre for Indigenous Fisheries (2024)
  • Kayla King, Zoology and Microbiology and Immunology (2024)
  • Christoph Ortner, Mathematics (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

Recognizes lifetime achievements, dedication to the community and service to the nation. 

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

Sloan Research Fellows

Identifies some of the most promising young faculty on the continent. 

  • 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)
  • Nicholas Harvey, Computer Science (2013)
  • Mary O'Connor, Zoology (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

Prestigious US fellowships that recognize individuals who demonstrate exceptional capacity for productive scholarship.

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

The Steacie Prize

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

  • Mary O'Connor, Zoology (2019)
  • Mark MacLachlan, Chemistry (2014)
  • Sarah Otto, Zoology (2007)
  • NCJ Strynadka, Biochemistry (2002)
  • Brett Finlay, Michael Smith Laboratories, Microbiology and Immunology (1998)
  • Terrance Snutch, Michael Smith Laboratories, Zoology (1997)
  • 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

These fellowships honour Canada's top young researchers. Previously branded as the EWR Steacie Memorial Fellowship.

  • 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 Canadian pharmaceutical research and innovation--the 'Nobel Prize' of pharmaceutical research.

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

 

Musqueam First Nation land acknowledegement

We honour xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) on whose ancestral, unceded territory UBC Vancouver is situated. UBC Science is committed to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples so we can advance Reconciliation and ensure traditional ways of knowing enrich our teaching and research.

Learn more: Musqueam First Nation

Faculty of Science

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