University Professor Emeritus of Biology Ron Pearlman has been awarded a 2014 Life Sciences Ontario (LSO) Community Services Award. Pearlman is the associate scientific director of the Gairdner Foundation and president of the Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science.
Also recognized by the LSO is Schulich School of Business MBA grad Mark Lievonen (MBA ’87, BBA ’79), president of Sanofi Pasteur Limited, the Canadian vaccine division of Sanofi. Lievonen received the LSO Lifetime Achievement Award.
Andrew Yoshioka, president of life sciences management consulting company Sanbonki Inc., was awarded the LSO Volunteer Award.
The LSO Life Sciences Company of the Year Award went to DVS Sciences Inc., an equipment and reagents development company based in Unionville, Ont., which was co-founded by York science grad Scott Tanner (BSc. Spec. Hons. ’76, PhD ’80).
“As scientists, we need to make the effort to present our research in ways that help the public understand and digest it, since scientific concepts are a very real part of our everyday lives. Ron Pearlman is an outstanding example of this, his contribution to the community and his dedication to science outreach is inspiring,” said Faculty of Science interim Dean Don Hastie. “The Faculty of Science is delighted that Life Sciences Ontario has recognized Ron’s efforts and passion in bringing science into the mainstream in Ontario, and across Canada.
“I’m also thrilled to see that DVS Sciences, co-founded by York Chemistry PhD Scott Tanner, has been named Life Sciences Company of the Year, and that Mark Lievonen, a York MBA grad, is being acknowledged for his many significant efforts in strengthening the life sciences sector in Ontario and Canada,” said Hastie.
The announcement was issued Dec. 10 by LSO, a member-driven organization that represents and promotes the province’s life sciences sector. Each year, LSO recognizes outstanding achievements in the life sciences sector. The awards will be presented at the LSO Annual Awards Gala on Feb. 26, 2014, at the historic Liberty Grand.
“Life Sciences Ontario is proud to recognize the achievements of these award winners,” said LSO President and Chair Paul Lucas. “As the life sciences industry in Ontario continues to evolve as a strategic sector that provides both social and economic value to Ontarians, it’s important to pause to celebrate our successes and recognize the contributions of those who have helped get us to where we are today and continue to make meaningful contributions.”
For more information, visit the Life Sciences Ontario website.