SCI Canada, the Canadian arm of the Society of Chemical Industry, is pleased to announce the 2026 SCI Canada Award Winners, recognizing outstanding achievements in chemical science, engineering, industrial innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact. The awards will be formally presented at the annual SCI Canada Awards Dinner on May 26 in Toronto, bringing together leaders from industry, academia, government, and the broader scientific community.
For more than a century, SCI Canada has celebrated individuals whose work advances chemical innovation, strengthens Canada’s industrial landscape, and supports the next generation of scientific talent. This year’s award recipients represent a wide range of scientific and industrial disciplines, reflecting the growing impact of chemistry‑driven innovation across Canada.
Celebrating Canada’s Leaders in Chemistry and Innovation
The 2026 SCI Canada Honourees include: Canada Medal Recipient – Dr. Donald F. Weaver
Awarded for exceptional leadership and contributions to chemical science and industry in Canada. This year’s recipient has advanced the design and commercialization of novel therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease, pioneering the use of large-scale computer simulations to develop disease-modifying agents and successfully guiding multiple drug candidates into Phase III clinical trials.
Other SCI Award Recipients
Additional honourees will be recognized for their achievements in research, industrial development, sustainability, early‑career excellence, and community outreach.
Kalev Pugi Award: Dr. Patrick Gunning
Purvis Memorial Award: Dr. Peter Zandstra
LeSueur Memorial Award: Dr. Jason Hein
International Award: Dr. Orlando Rojas
Julia Levy Award: Dr. Carl Hansen
Outreach Award: Dr. Lucio Gelmini
Full award citations and biographies will be released on the SCI Canada website.
Afternoon Lecture & Panel: Translating Scientific Discovery into Real‑World Innovation
Ahead of the awards dinner, SCI Canada will host an afternoon keynote lecture delivered by the Canada Medal recipient, Dr Donald F. Weaver, followed by a panel discussion featuring several award winners. The theme this year — “Translating Scientific Discovery into Real‑World Innovation” — highlights the vital role of Canadian scientists and innovators in advancing technologies that benefit society, industry, and the environment.
Science and industry celebrated their accomplishments at the CIC/SCI Canada Business Innovation Seminar and Awards Dinner. Photo credit: Krista Leroux
This year's programming aligns with the CSC x2026 theme of "Erasing Boundaries," bridging the gap between fundamental research and industrial application. A key highlight is the reinstitution of the joint CSC-SCI Canada industry mixer; a tradition rooted in the CIC/SCI 2015 Calgary seminar and awards dinner that serves as a pivotal reference for renewed professional connections. By bringing back this dedicated networking space, SCI Canada aims to foster a modern forum where academia and industry dissolve boundaries to drive future innovation.
The session will be free and open to students, early‑career researchers, professionals, and CSC conference attendees.
Strengthening Canada’s Scientific Community
“Our award winners represent some of the most inspiring innovators in Canada’s scientific community,” said SCI Canada Chair: Dr. Ravi Ramachandran. “We are proud to recognize their contributions and bring together leaders from across academia, industry, and government to celebrate their achievements.”
Continuing the commitment to the next generation, SCI Canada invests in youth as the leaders of tomorrow through the Canada Student Merit Awards. This mission is highlighted by the story of Bishop’s University alumnae Grace Belzil ‘21 and Deborah Niccol-Griffith ‘81, who's professional "chemical bonds" began as undergraduates. In addition to the 2026 honourees, the awards dinner will celebrate the 2025 winners, ensuring these leaders receive the recognition they deserve within a strong, lifelong network of peers.
In support of this mission, several organizations have already confirmed their partnership for the 2026 event, including Croda Canada, Syngenta Canada, Travis Corporation, University of Toronto, Department of Chemistry (University of Toronto), Woodbridge Corporation and the Prince Edward Island BioAlliance.
With this early momentum, table availability and sponsorship spaces are filling steadily. Organizations interested in joining this year’s cohort of supporters are encouraged to secure their participation soon. Detailed information on available sponsorship tiers is available upon request to help your organization find the best fit for engagement.
Event Details
Date: May 25, 2026
Location: Chelsea Hotel, Toronto, Ontario
Program:
2:00–3:45 PM – SCI Keynote Lecture & Award Winners Panel
5:30–6:45 PM – Networking Reception and CSC-SCI Canada Mixer (Sponsored by Piramal Pharma Solutions and ErythroPharma)
6:55 PM – SCI Canada Awards Dinner & Presentations
Attendance is open to award winners, guests, industry representatives, CSC conference attendees, academic partners, and invited members of Canada’s scientific community. Register early at the links below, with attendance at the afternoon panel and the CSC/CIC mixer complimentary. These activities are also featured as part of the off-site CSC x2026 social events.
SCI Canada Awards Networking Seminar
SCI Canada Pre-Gala Dinner 2026 Networking Event and CSC-SCI Canada Mixer
SCI Canada Awards Gala Dinner
About SCI Canada
SCI Canada Interest Group is part of the global Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), an international forum connecting scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and industrial leaders. SCI Canada promotes scientific excellence, facilitates industry–academic collaboration, and supports early‑career development through awards, scholarships, and networking events.
For more information on the SCI Canada Awards and a look at our past celebrations, please visit our 2025 and 2023 Photo Albums, or watch our award highlights on YouTube for 2022 and 2021.
Media Contact
Dr. Fiona Hess, SCI Canada Sponsorship and Outreach Coordinator
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