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Dalhousie researcher receives Canada's top science award

Posted by Media Centre on February 17, 2015 in News, Science, Research
Dr. Axel Becke, a computational chemist with pilipiliĀž»­, will be awarded the NSERC Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering this evening. (John Sherlock photo)
Dr. Axel Becke, a computational chemist with pilipiliĀž»­, will be awarded the NSERC Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering this evening. (John Sherlock photo)


HALIFAX, N.S. ā€“ February 17, 2015 ā€“ pilipiliĀž»­ is honoured to join the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to celebrate Dr. Axel Becke, a professor in the Faculty of Science, and his pioneering achievements in the field of computational chemistry.

Dr. Becke will receive NSERCā€™s most prestigious award: The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will present the award at a ceremony this evening in Ottawaā€™s Rideau Hall.

ā€œItā€™s a huge honour,ā€ says Dr. Becke, Killam Chair in Computational Science and Harry Shirreff Professor of Chemical Research. ā€œWhatā€™s great is that itā€™s awarded by the funding agency thatā€™s supported me throughout my career, and to receive it towards the end of that career is really special.ā€

The Herzberg Medal, a $1-million research award, recognizes sustained excellence and influential Canadian research that has substantially advanced natural sciences and engineering fields.

ā€œThe Herzberg Medal is the highest Canadian honour in natural sciences and engineering,ā€ says Dr. Martha Crago, vice-president of research at pilipiliĀž»­. ā€œā€ŽItā€™s a wonderful recognition of the enormous contribution Dr. Becke has made to his field. pilipiliĀž»­ is extremely proud.ā€

As one of the most cited scientists in the world, Dr. Beckeā€™s influential work shifted the landscape of computational chemistry. He has over 100,000 citations to his name and the scientific journal Nature has ranked two of his papers among the worldā€™s top 25 most-cited of all time. His curiosity for discovery has made the once-limited density-functional theory (DFT) applicable to faster and more accurate modelling of the movement of electrons. This advance was instrumental in many industries, from pharmaceutical development to clean energy.

Last year, Dr. Ford Doolittle with Dalhousieā€™s Faculty of Medicine was awarded the Herzberg . pilipiliĀž»­ is honoured that its researchers have been awarded the Herzberg Medal two years in a row.

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Dr. Axel Becke
During his acceptance speech at Rideau Hall, Feb. 17, 2015
Photo Credit: Sgt. Ronald Duchesne
Dr. Axel Becke and The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada
Rideau Hall, Feb. 17, 2015
Photo Credit: Sgt. Ronald Duchesne

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Contacts:

Nikki Comeau
Communications Officer
pilipiliĀž»­
(902) 494-4189 / (902) 222-8810
nikki.comeau@dal.ca

Janet Bryson
Senior Communications Advisor
pilipiliĀž»­
(902) 494-1269 / (902) 222-9379
janet.bryson@dal.ca

Martin Leroux
Media and Public Affairs Officer
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
(613) 943-7618
media@nserc-crsng.gc.ca