An ecosystem ecologist and researcher at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) who studies reclamation of industrial lands is this year’s recipient of the Life Sciences BC Genome BC Award for Scientific Excellence.
Dr. Lauchlan Fraser conducts research on ecosystem reclamation following industrial landscape disturbances, with a particular focus on biodiversity, climate change and grassland ecology. His work has resulted in over 100 peer-reviewed publications in the world’s leading scientific journals.
Fraser is a professor and Senior NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Ecosystem Reclamation. His expertise is internationally recognized through invitations to serve on national and international boards and committees including the Genome BC Extractive Industries Sector Steering Committee, BC Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation, International Association of Vegetation Scientists Global Sponsorship Committee and board of the Grasslands Conservation Council of BC. He also holds editorial positions with several international scientific journals and serves as a referee for more than 50 journals.
This is the 24th year the Life Sciences BC awards have been given to individuals, companies and organizations that have had advanced successful health innovations and contribute to BC’s life sciences ecosystem.
The 2022 Life Sciences BC award winners are:
Individual
- Don Rix Award for Lifetime Achievement in Life Sciences: Dr. Simone Pimstone
- Genome BC Award for Scientific Excellence: Dr. Lauchlan Fraser
Company
- Deal of the Year: Precision NanoSystems
- Emerging Life Sciences Company of the Year Award: Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals
- Medical/Digital Technology Company of the Year: Thrive Health
- Milton Wong Award for Leadership: adMare BioInnovations
- Strategic Life Sciences Partner of the Year: Genome BC
- Life Sciences Company of the Year: Acuitas Therapeutics
Impact
- Global Impact Award: Dr. Pieter Cullis
Quotes:
“LSBC’s Annual Life Sciences BC Awards, presented by Farris, is our moment to honour the efforts of many within our sector whose work is dedicated to advancing biological research and drug discovery to improve and save lives. We congratulate this year’s award winners, as they truly reflect the extraordinary talent within BC’s ecosystem, and the diverse ways our community continues to make its mark on the sector worldwide through pushing the boundaries of innovation to create life-changing treatments, therapies, and technologies.” — Wendy Hurlburt, President and CEO of Life Sciences BC
“The 2022 LSBC awards underscore why BC is known as a global leader in the life sciences sector, and the work and dedication of this year’s recipients showcases a new wave of innovation that can and will continue to positively impact health care and patient outcomes. We congratulate all of this year’s winners for the work ethic they consistently demonstrate in their day-to-day efforts to advance life-changing research, product development and technology, and clinical application.” — Scott Phillips, Life Sciences BC Board Chair and CEO of Starfish Medical
Fraser and other Life Sciences BC award winners are being recognized at a ceremony in Vancouver on Sept. 22.
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Contact:
Michele Young, Manager, Communications Content
University Relations, Thompson Rivers University
250-828-5361 | micyoung@tru.ca
About Life Sciences BC
Life Sciences BC is a not-for-profit, non-government, industry association that supports and represents the life sciences community of British Columbia through leadership, facilitation of investment and partnering, and promotion of our world-class science and industry.
Life sciences sectors, from biopharmaceuticals and medical technology to digital health and medical devices, are integrated into our organization and all that we do, ensuring that no life sciences sector is working in isolation — and that all sectors come together in a comprehensive, complementary, and coordinated fashion.
Throughout the year, Life Sciences BC undertakes numerous programs and projects in support of these sectors. These include public policy initiatives, facilitating linkages between global industry and our local organizations, raising the profile of our industry internationally and thus facilitating investment and global partnering opportunities, and helping nurture economic development in British Columbia through the life sciences industry.
