(Merged with the former Genetics Society of Canada Award of Excellence 1976 – 2003; and William F Grant and Peter B Moens Award of Excellence 2004 – 2016)
(Merged with the former Genetics Society of Canada Award of Excellence 1976 – 2003; and William F Grant and Peter B Moens Award of Excellence 2004 – 2016)
This award is offered annually.
The award recognizes Canadian scientists who have demonstrated inclusive excellence across a breadth of activities including research, teaching and mentorship, leadership and outreach.
Note that nominations can be made for the same individual for this award and the Jeanne Manery Fisher Memorial Lecture . If the same nominee is the top ranked candidate in both award categories (CSP & JMF), they must select their preferred award to receive. The next ranked candidate will receive the award in the other category.
(1) Evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for CSMB are informed and updated according to best practices and in alignment with Canadian tri-council (NSERC, SSHRC & CIHR) standards. CSMB also supports the following statement (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/51732.html) and the DORA principles.
The quality and impact of research cannot be measured through journal publications alone. Research results and outcomes are multifaceted, can reflect multiple types of knowledge and ways of knowing and must be assessed on their own merit. High-quality research outcomes are achieved in many ways, including but not limited to: publishing research articles; reporting new knowledge (such as presenting at conferences and other venues); developing new technologies, producing software and intellectual property; sharing data; contributing to policy decisions; producing highly trained personnel and working in partnership with various sectors of society. Increasingly, funding agencies, research institutions, First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, citizens and patients, and researchers themselves, agree on the importance of including a broader set of research outcomes and adopting assessment processes that recognize their value.
The DORA principles are reflected in CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC’s overall approaches to research assessment, and in their shared commitment to continuous improvement in assessment practices. A number of the Agencies’ initiatives and policies support research excellence and align with the recommendations in DORA, including research data management practices, open access publishing, responsible conduct of research, ethical conduct of research involving humans; and the commitment to re-examine research excellence through the Tri-Agency Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan.
Nominations will be assessed on the following criteria:
- A record of Excellence in Research – 3 points
Nominees will have evidence of a strong record of research with significant contributions in the field(s) of Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology and/or Genetics.
Significant contributions can include (but are not limited to) peer-reviewed publications, presentations, intellectual property, other knowledge translation activities, etc., Awards, degrees, credentials, etc., clinical practice, policy development, specialized training, strategic employment positions, etc.
- A record of Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship – 3 points
Excellence in teaching and mentorship can include (but is not limited to) evidence of educational leadership (leading significant transformation in teaching and learning at an institutional, disciplinary, community, and/or societal level) as well as effective approaches to inclusive and universal design in teaching and experiential learning. Teaching excellence may also be demonstrated by the creation of exceptional learning environments through inclusive and/or universal design, innovative discipline-specific pedagogies, creative approaches to professional development and mentoring for next generation scientists and activities that maximize learning outcomes for all levels of members of the academy and society.
Taken from criteria for the 3M fellowship, (https://www.stlhe.ca/the-criteria-for-the-3m-fellowship/)).
- Excellence in Science leadership – 3 points
Evidence for excellence in science leadership can include (but is not limited to) academic leadership in science (as a director, dean, division leader, major project lead, etc.), deep engagement in communities of practice (e.g. science societies at the institutional, regional, national or international level), sustained engagement with policymakers (local, provincial, federal) and decision making bodies (e.g. serving and contributing to boards and councils in a capacity as a scientific leader, serving on advisory committees to government, industry, education, policy-makers in a capacity as an expert scientist, etc.)
- Outreach – 1 point
Evidence for excellence in outreach can include (but is not limited to) activities that seek to increase a public understanding of science through engagement across any media and mechanism (e.g. books, talks, science fairs, videos, etc.). Excellence in outreach may also be demonstrated by coordinated and sustained engagement and/or leadership in science communication activities, across diverse demographics, and through various media (traditional print/on-line, social media, etc.)
Criteria informed by RCIS https://www.rciscience.ca/the-sandford-fleming-medal-citation
(2) Eligibility
The nominee should be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident and there are no age restrictions. The nominee must have lived in Canada and have worked at a Canadian research institute (as defined by tri-council institutional eligibility criteria https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/063.nsf/eng/h_3D5FA603.html)) for the last 10 years in a senior investigator position. The nominee and nominator need not be a member of the CSMB.
Note: Members of the CSMB Board and committees (including at-large members) are not eligible for nomination for CSMB awards while they hold office.
(3) Nomination process
It is preferable that the nominator be at an equal or higher professional rank as the nominee. Chairs /Heads /Deans /Presidents are encouraged to nominate members of their faculty for this prestigious award. Self-nominations will also be considered.
Nominations shall consist of
- a letter from a nominator familiar with the nominee’s work, which summarizes the originality and significance of the nominee’s research and leadership contributions, as well as pertinent biographic data,
- the nominee’s curriculum vitae.
The awardee will deliver a lecture at the CSMB Annual Conference and submit a manuscript or review of their related work/career path for publication in the journals Biochemistry and Cell Biology or Genome and in the CSMB Bulletin. Awardees are encouraged to become CSMB members.
View key dates for all CSMB awards here
Please address nominations to:
Dr. Tarik Möröy
General Secretary of the CSMB
Nominations should be submitted via the following form:
(updated 2024-02-27)
Previous winners of this award
| 2023 | Lori Burrows |
| 2022 | Katherine L.B. Borden |
| 2021 | Peter L. Davies |
| 2020 | Daniel Durocher |
| 2019 | Sylvain Moineau |
| 2018 | Richard Rachubinski |
| 2017 | Sergio Grinstein |
| 2016 | Gerry Wright |
| 2015 | Michael James |
| 2014 | James McGhee |
| 2013 | B. Chabot |
| 2012 | M. Bouvier |
| 2011 | Benjamin J. Blencowe |
| 2009 | Hans Vogel |
| 2007 | N. Sonenberg |
| 2005 | C. Bleackley |
| 2003 | V. Ling |
| 2001 | F. Doolittle |
| 1999 | G. Chaconas |
| 1997 | A. J. Pawson |
| 1995 | R.S. Hodges |
| 1993 | M. Chrétien |
| 1991 | J. Riordan |
| 1989 | D. Vance |
| 1987 | M. Gray |
| 1985 | H. Schachter |
| 1984 | N. Hozum |
| 1981 | M. Smith |
In 2004, the award was renamed the
William F Grant and Peter B Moens Award of Excellence
| 2016 | Verheyen, Esther |
| 2015 | Scoles, Graham |
| 2012 | Phillips, John |
| 2010 | Singh, Rama |
| 2009 | Golding, Brian |
| 2008 | Singh, Shiva |
| 2007 | Sokolowski, Marla |
| 2006 | Hegele, Robert |
| 2005 | Hilliker, Arthur |
| 2004 | Lasko, Paul |
GSC Award of Excellence Winners, first given in 1976
| 2003 | Morgan, Ken |
| 2002 | Baillie, David |
| 2001 | Hayden, Michael |
| 2000 | Culotti, Joseph |
| 1999 | Bussey, Howard |
| 1998 | Bernstein, Allen |
| 1997 | Griffiths, A.J.F. |
| 1996 | Walden, D.B. |
| 1995 | Cox, D.W. |
| 1994 | Kasha, K. |
| 1993 | Haynes, R.H. |
| 1992 | Scriver, C.R. |
| 1991 | Doolittle, W.F. |
| 1990 | Tsui, Lap-Chee |
| 1989 | Kuspira, J. |
| 1988 | Smith, Michael |
| 1987 | Kafer, E. |
| 1986 | James, A.P. |
| 1985 | Moens, P.B. |
| 1984 | Chown, B. |
| 1983 | von Borstel, R.C. |
| 1982 | Person, C.O. |
| 1981 | Mortimer, R.K. |
| 1980 | Fraser, F.C. |
| 1979 | Butler, L. |
| 1978 | Fredeen, H.T. |
| 1977 | Sears, E.R. |
| 1976 | Newcombe, H.B. |
