November 23, 2023
Two UBC researchers have been awarded Commercialization and Exceptional Leadership awards by Mitacs. The Mitacs Awards celebrate Canada’s top talent — students, professors and business owners who are driving research and development and a thriving Canadian economy through their partnership with Mitacs and participation in Mitacs-funded programs.
Award recognizes of outstanding contributions to the advancement and accessibility of machine learning.
The distinction honours Canadians whose outstanding leadership and contributions to medicine and the health sciences have led to extraordinary improvements in human health. Dr. Cullis, a professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology at UBC, is recognized for developing the lipid nanoparticle delivery technology that enables mRNA vaccines, such as the highly effective COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, and other next-generation gene therapies.
Suzanne Richardson and Fred Woo have been awarded the President’s Staff Award for Collaborative Excellence for their work as the management team for the Animal Care, Biosafety, Radiation Safety, and Chemical Safety Committees.
Award recognizes Dr. Cranston's research expanding the use of nanocellulose, derived from sustainable bio-based resources like wood pulp, in technologies that offer environmentally-friendly alternatives to petrochemical-based materials and plastics.