Julia Levy Award

Established 2006

The Julia Levy Award is presented to an individual to recognise successful commercialisation of innovation in Canada, specifically in the field of Bio-medical Science and Engineering.

Award Information

2024 Recipient - Prof Christine Allen, University of Toronto

Prof Christine Allen is a full professor at the University of Toronto (U of T) and an internationally recognized leader with more than 160 publications in drug formulation and development. She is a member of the Scientific Leadership Team of the Acceleration Consortium, a strategic initiative at the University of Toronto awarded $200m in funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. She has received numerous awards, and is a distinguished fellow of prestigious societies including the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Lecture Details

The Julia Levy Award is normally presented at the annual SCI Canada Awards Dinner, typically held in early April, where the winner will be expected to attend and deliver a short acceptance speech. The winner may be invited to present a lecture at this event and will also receive a plaque.

2023 Recipient - Professor Pieter R. Cullis

Professor Pieter R. Cullis of University of British Columbia will receive the Julia Levy award at the SCI Canada Awards 2023. The award recognises successful commercialisation of innovation in Canada, specifically in the field of bio-medical science and engineering.

2022 Recipient - Professor Helen Burt

Professor Helen Burt, of the University of British Columbia, received the Julia Levy Award in 2022. As a professor in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Helen has world-leading expertise in the design and synthesis of biologically compatible polymers and polymer drug conjugates for controlled release drug delivery systems. She served as Director of Research for Angiotech Pharmaceuticals and developed the first polymeric nanomedicine for paclitaxel – a cancer chemotherapy drug that suffers from poor solubility.

Eligibility Criteria

    Background
    • Recognises successful commercialisation of bio-medical innovation in Canada, with a particular focus, where relevant, on the synergistic relationship between university and business.
    • New product development requires not only leading edge innovation but active management of the commercialisation step(s).
    • Award has been established to encourage innovators to give the commercialisation step sufficient attention.
    • SCI membership is not a prerequisite for receiving this award.
    Career stage
    • Mid to late career
    • Authority in the field
    Areas
    • Bio-medical innovation
    • Canada

Timetable

Frequency Annual
Nominations deadline 6 November

Additional Information

Code of Ethics for Members

Other SCI Awards

Canada International Award

The Canada International Award is presented to an individual in recognition of outstanding service and contributions in the international sphere to an industry that is based on chemistry for its processes and/or services.

Canada Student Merit Awards

The SCI Canada Student Merit Award is awarded annually to the student who has achieved the highest standing in the 4th and final year of a chemistry, biochemistry or chemical engineering undergraduate program.

Kalev Pugi Award

The Kalev Pugi Award acknowledges exceptional achievements in research and development by an individual or team, which is of benefit to Canada. The technical excellence can be developed in a university, industrial setting or a research institution in Canada.

Awards News