Achievements Rewarded — Carole Estabrooks and Paul Hayes celebrate their awards with Walter Dixon (centre), president of the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations, at a banquet in Edmonton Sept. 16.
Two professors have been chosen by the 4,000+ member Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations community to receive the 2010 Distinguished Academic Awards for “outstanding contributions to the wider community beyond the academy.”
Carole Estabrooks, a University of Alberta nursing professor and holder of the Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Translation, received the award for her innovative and influential approach in translating knowledge from the research setting into real-world applications for practical improvements in nursing and health services delivery, especially elder care. Her work on helping to move research into practice in health care and health systems decision making was credited with changing “the face of knowledge translation science in Canada and around the world” and for having “a major impact on care for the elderly.”
Paul Hayes, who joined the department of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Lethbridge in 2006, received the “early career” award in recognition of his promising research into ‘green’ molecules and non-toxic chemical processes. The science he’s investigating on catalysts and biodegradable polymers has applications for producing cost-effective, viable alternatives to many conventional materials, such as ‘green’ plastic for food packaging, and for uses in everything from automotive to consumer products to sutures to drug delivery devices. His research and discoveries in the field were cited for significant “industrial and environmental implications” and for great potential in “achieving sustainability.”
“The Distinguished Academic Award and the Distinguished Academic Early Career Award are special because the honorees are chosen by their peers,” said CAFA president Walter Dixon. “These awards highlight our colleagues’ exceptional research and scholarly contributions to society. This year we are proud to celebrate the outstanding work of Dr. Carole Estabrooks and Dr. Paul Hayes.”
Estabrooks and Hayes received their awards during a ceremony held in Edmonton last month.