On behalf of His Excellency The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, Governor General of Canada, The Right Honourable Chief Justice of Canada, Antonio Lamer, today presented the Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering to Ottawa resident Keith Ingold. Dr. Ingold, a scientist at the National Research Council of Canada, was honoured for pioneering a new field of chemistry and discovering the importance of Vitamin E in medicine and health.
"Keith Ingold is the undisputed world leader in the chemistry of organic free radicals and a true giant of Canadian science," said Dr. Thomas A. Brzustowski, President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the award sponsor. "If you took a vitamin E supplement this morning, you should definitely know about him. He revolutionized the way we look at vitamins, being the first to recognize Vitamin E as a powerful agent that targets free radicals and neutralizes their harmful effects."
Dr. Ingold's achievements were also praised by Dr. Ron Duhamel, Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development). "In transforming this branch of chemistry into a rigorous modern study of great medical and industrial importance, Dr. Ingold exemplifies the very best in Canadian research. His achievements are an inspiration to all Canadians. It is hoped that through this award they can become much more widely known."
The Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering honours outstanding, sustained, lifetime contributions to Canadian research. Individuals in all sectors concerned with the advancement of research - university, business, industry and government - may be nominated for the award. The selection is made by an NSERC award committee on the basis of an international peer evaluation.