Medicine by Design Executive Director Michael Sefton and investigator Molly Shoichet have been appointed to the Order of Canada, Governor General Julie Payette’s office announced today.
Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Both Sefton and Shoichet have been named as Officers, one of three designations within the Order, recognizing national service or achievement.
Sefton is a University Professor — the University of Toronto’s highest academic rank — in the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBBME) and the Michael E. Charles Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry. He was cited “for his seminal contributions to the field of biomedical engineering and for his mentorship of the next generation of engineers.”
Shoichet, who also holds the rank of University Professor and is appointed to both the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry and IBBME, was cited “for her cutting-edge research in biomedical engineering and for her efforts to promote women in science and to advance scientific literacy.” Shoichet, who was appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2011, was also recently named Ontario’s first chief scientist.
Sefton and Shoichet are among 125 new appointments to the Order of Canada. They will receive their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date, according to the Governor General’s office.