CAP Medal and Award Winners
The Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) and its medal partners are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 CAP medals.
The 2024 medalists have been invited to give a plenary lecture as part of the 2024 CAP Conference program, and to receive their medals at the Medalists' Recognition Dinner in London, ON on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Please refer to the
Congress-at-a-glance for the schedule of plenary lectures by the CAP medal winners. If any of the medalists are unable to attend the conference, their medal will be presented at another mutually agreed upon time or sent to them separately after the conference.
Kirkby
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Laura Pankratz , Government of Alberta ,
in recognition of her service to both the CAP and to Canadian society through her exemplary work in education and outreach.
"Receiving the Kirkby Memorial Medal is an honour and a humbling experience. I especially value how this recognition reinforces that the physics community in Canada includes people working in both high school and post-secondary contexts." view the press release
Kirkby
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Henry M. Van Driel , University of Toronto ,
in recognition of to recognize his outstanding service to the Canadian physics community over a period of more than forty-five years, which has included international efforts, great service to the CAP, work with NSERC on behalf of Canadian physics, and editorial service to distinguished journals in North America.
"It is indeed an honour to be recognized for efforts to help the physics community in Canada. This represents a welcome bright spot this late in my career and and coming during this interminable pandemic. I thank my chair, Kimberley Strong, and John Sipe for initiating and preparing the nomination." view the press release
Kirkby
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Bela Joos , University of Ottawa ,
in recognition of for his tireless service and selfless devotion to strengthening the Canadian physics community. His service in the executive of the Canadian Association of Physicists, and his central role in supporting, transforming, and rejuvenating Physics in Canada as a national physics magazine during more than 30 years on the editorial board and more than a decade as editor, embody the ideals of outstanding service to Canadian physics that the Kirkby medal celebrates.
"This recognition touches me greatly. I found great satisfaction in serving the CAP, Physics in Canada, and the Canadian Physics community, as much at the local than at the national level." view the press release
Kirkby
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Jerry J. Battista , Western University ,
in recognition of for his outstanding and lifelong contributions to Medical Physics in Canada that have fundamentally altered worldwide practice. In addition to being an outstanding teacher, researcher, and mentor, Dr. Battista has steadfastly advocated for his field through his work on many professional and accreditation committees, his service as an advisor to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Cancer Care Ontario, and his coordination of Canada's largest residency training program in clinical physics.
"I am deeply honoured to receive the Kirkby memorial award. It spans the wide range of physics contributions to Canadian society, including radiation medicine. I follow in big footsteps of �Jack� Cunningham, an outstanding role model, and Erv Podgorsak, an educator and scientist with uncompromising attention to physics details. This is truly rewarding and inspiring." view the press release
Kirkby
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Gordon Drake , University of Windsor ,
in recognition of for the key role he played in preparing the case to NSERC for increased funding for physics in the 1990's, for his untiring promotion of Canadian physics through his participation or leadership in numerous international and Canadian physics organizations and committees, and for his effective communication of physics to the non-scientific community..
"Service to the profession of Physicist is the single most important thing that the CAP does, and the Kirkby Medal is the highest form of recognition for contributions to this objective. I feel deeply honoured to be selected to receive the Kirkby Medal for 2015. My contributions have not only brought me great personal satisfaction, but also brought me many friends from amongst the most interesting people in Canada" view the press release
Kirkby
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David Chettle , McMaster University ,
in recognition of for his dedicated service to the Canadian physics community which has strengthened and raised the profile of physics as a profession. He has enthusiastically mentored a generation of medical, health and radiation physics students and has made physics an attractive career option for many. His development, maintenance and expansion of vital multi-disciplinary programs and infrastructure raised the profile of Canadian physics internationally; he played a key role in the DMBP; and his leadership has led to active participation by many in the physics community.
"I was surprised, encouraged, grateful to receive a ‘phone call from the President of the Canadian Association of Physicists to tell me that I had been awarded the Peter Kirkby Memorial Medal. Recognition from the leaders in the Physics community in Canada is both an honour and a very great encouragement and I am particularly grateful to those who must have invested considerable hard work in putting forward my nomination." view the press release
Kirkby
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Ervin Podgorsak , McGill University Health Centre ,
in recognition of for his outstanding service to Canadian Physics reflected, in particular, by his leadership in developing and enhancing the Medical Physics profession at the national and international level. Known for his kindness and hospitality, he has served his community with wisdom, enthusiasm and integrity.
"Medical physics has an illustrious history in Canada and has during the past two decades become recognized as an important branch of physics. I am truly delighted to have received the 2011 Kirkby medal from the CAP and the COMP for my professional activities as a medical physicist." view the press release
Kirkby
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"Medical physics has an illustrious history in Canada and has during the past two decades become recognized as an important branch of physics. I am truly delighted to have received the 2011 Kirkby medal from the CAP and the COMP for my professional activities as a medical physicist."
Kirkby
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Peter Calamai , The Toronto Star ,
in recognition of for his exemplary communication of science to the public, for his dedication to the promotion of science through the media, and for his advocacy for science in Canada.
"When I squeaked out of McMaster University four decades ago with a B.Sc. in physics, it was beyond my wildest dreams that some day I might be so handsomely honoured by real physicists. I'll still be pinching myself on June 10." view the press release
