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2012 winners of the Distinguished Academics Awards

Meet the winners and learn how their work is making an impact in the non-academic world, demonstrating the vitality of university-based research and scholarly activity.

The Distinguished Academics Awards promote the value of university research in advancing the public good. Nominees hail from various institutions and disciplines, often working in very different domains—yet they’re united by a passion for meaningful research that fuels our economy, democracy, and intellectual life.

WINNERS

  • Early in Career Award

    Dr. Cigdem Eskicioglu

    University of British Columbia - Okanagan

    UBC-Okanagan’s Dr. Cigdem Eskicioglu received the 2012 Early in Career Award for her groundbreaking work on processing organic waste into energy (in the form of methane gas) and organic fertilizer. Her work diverts waste from landfills, protecting our environment and creating valuable resources.

  • Ehor Boyanowsky Academic of the Year Award

    Dr. Christopher Opio

    University of British Columbia

    UBC’s Dr. Christopher Opio received the 2012 Academic of the Year Award for his work establishing sustainable clean water resources in Northern Uganda. He founded the Northern Uganda Development Foundation in Prince George to support his work and to date has established 42 wells providing clean water to more than 50,000 people.

  • Paz Buttedahl Career Achievement Award

    Dr. Eric Sager

    University of Victoria

    UVic’s Dr. Eric Sager received the 2012 Paz Buttedahl Career Achievement Award for his lifelong commitment to connecting his historical research to contemporary issues. His is also dedicated to making his research available to the wider community, through newspaper articles, websites and public presentations.