Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: May 3, 2007
• Invested on: April 11, 2008

Barry French has helped to build Canada's reputation as a leader in technological innovation. As a professor at the University of Toronto's Institute for Aerospace Studies, he developed specialized analytical instrumentation that was used on NASA's Viking space probe. His scientific insights and entrepreneurship led to the creation of Sciex Limited, a leader in the development of mass spectrometers, and one of the University's most successful transfer technology initiatives. He is also known for having co-founded a company that is developing cutting-edge earth imaging technology. Along-time proponent of university-industry collaboration, he has been a role model to many young scientists.