Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: November 20, 2014
• Invested on: November 18, 2015

For his contributions at the forefront of organic chemistry, which have led to the creation of new medicinal compounds with fewer side effects.

Mark Lautens is changing how the next generation of medicines will be made. A professor and industrial research chair in organic synthesis at the University of Toronto, he has made globally significant contributions to organic chemistry. He has simplified the steps needed to create complex compounds and invented chemical processes that enable the design of new medicinal molecules, ultimately reducing the environmental impact of pharmaceutical drugs. He is also known as a beloved mentor who is dedicated to training future leaders of academia and industry.