UVic honours five top researchers

by Valerie Shore

Developing new drugs to fight cancer, defining the science behind climate change, and communicating the wonders of chemistry to the public—these are some of the outstanding achievements of this year's winners of Craigdarroch Research Awards.

The five awards were presented at a special luncheon at the Fairmont Empress on Feb. 23. The annual awards honour research excellence at UVic and are named for Craigdarroch Castle, home to the university's predecessor institution, Victoria College, from 1921-1946.

The 2005 Craigdarroch Research Award recipients are:

Coward

Dr. Harold Coward, winner of the Craigdarroch Gold Medal for Career Achievement in Research, is a world-renowned scholar in religious studies, with special emphasis on Hinduism. His work ranges from classical language theories in south Asia to modern ethical concerns of the survival of this planet. In the process, he has written 17 books, edited 33, has 57 chapters in books, and is author or co-author of 76 journal articles.

Coward is equally well-known for his leadership in bringing religious studies together with other disciplines to address major world policy issues, ranging from climate change and management of the environment to peace-building and health.

Coward is founding director of UVic's centre for studies in religion and society, co-chairs the national Coasts Under Stress project, and was recently elected president of the Royal Society of Canada's Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Weaver

The recipient of the Craigdarroch Silver Medal for Excellence in Research is Dr. Andrew Weaver (earth & ocean sciences), one of the world's leading climate researchers and the Canada Research Chair in atmospheric science.

At UVic, Weaver has built one of the most sophisticated climate modelling facilities on the planet and has tackled subjects as diverse as the physics of sea ice formation, past abrupt climate change and the physics of El Niño.

Weaver's impact on climate science extends far beyond his lab and office doors. He's one of a handful of scientists working on the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's next climate assessment, due in 2007, which will direct international policies related to global warming. He's also a prominent and vocal advocate for science-based public discussion of climate change.

Weaver currently serves as chief editor of the Journal of Climate, the world's premier journal for climate research published by the American Meteorological Society.

Littlepage

For the last 16 years, biologist Dr. Jack Littlepage (centre for global studies), winner of the Craigdarroch Award for Societal Contribution, has been a driving force behind programs to establish a community-based mariculture industry in coastal Brazil.

In partnership with several Brazilian universities and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Littlepage and his team have provided mariculture training and research opportunities to countless faculty members, technicians, graduate students, undergraduates and extension personnel in Brazil and Canada.

Today, Brazil's flourishing mariculture industry provides direct and indirect employment for thousands of people. There is greater concern for environmental protection and more emphasis on sustainable community development. And several Brazilian cities now hold community festivals based on shellfish culture.

The success of these programs, and the sweeping impact they've had at all levels of Brazil society, earned Littlepage and UVic an Award of Excellence from CIDA in 2002.

Mitchell

The Craigdarroch Award for Research Communication goes to Dr. Reg Mitchell (chemistry). Whether he's dazzling schoolchildren as his mad chemist alter-ego, "Dr. Zonk," organizing the annual Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair, or talking on the radio about chemicals in everyday life, Mitchell is a born communicator.

Since joining UVic in 1972 Mitchell has dedicated himself to demystifying science, and chemistry in particular, for generations of university and high school students, as well as the general public. "I get across to students by cutting through all the garbage and showing them what's relevant in real life," he once told The Ring. "I'm a natural showman—just give me a microphone and a crowd."

Mitchell's many honours include the Eve Savory Award for Science Communication from the Science Council of B.C., the Academic of the Year Award from the University Faculty Associations of B.C. and the UVic Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award.

Buckley

Developing and marketing a new cancer therapy is the goal of Dr. Tom Buckley (biochemistry & microbiology), winner of the University of Victoria Innovation and Development Corporation Entrepreneurship Award.

In partnership with UVic's Innovation and Development Corporation, Buckley founded the spin-off company, Protox Pharmaceuticals Inc., in 2002 after he genetically engineered aerolysin, a naturally occurring bacterial toxin that can selectively target and kill cancer cells but leave "bystander" cells and tissues intact.

Now called Protox Therapeutics Inc., the Vancouver-based company is focused on developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of various cancers. Protox made history last fall when it became the first UVic spin-off company to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Buckley continues to work with medical researchers across North America to further develop aerolysin and this year hopes to begin a phase one trial in humans with Protox's first drug, designed to treat prostate cancer.