2012 Killam Prizes Ceremony

During the speech he delivered at the beginning of the ceremony, the Governor General said: "The Killam Prizes are known to scholars around the world for being among the most prestigious research awards in Canada. Dorothy and Isaac Walton Killam strongly believed in the importance of knowledge in our society, and they also understood the value of recognizing and supporting the work of our leading scholars and researchers. That is why we are gathered here today—to pay tribute to those who dedicate themselves to the pursuit of truth and understanding, and to encourage the spirit of discovery in Canada."

Mr. George T. H. Cooper, Managing Trustee of the Killam Trusts, also delivered an address.

Philosopher Jean Grondin (Université de Montréal – Humanities) is an internationally renowned specialist in hermeneutics (the study of the theory and practice of interpretation), German philosophy and metaphysics.

The contributions of Geoffrey Hinton (University of Toronto – Engineering) to the development of several of the most successful Machine Learning algorithms have had, among other things, a direct impact on how we use the Internet today.

Internationally known for his research on superconductors, Louis Lepage Taillefer (Université de Sherbrooke – Natural Sciences) is currently engaged in research that could launch a major technological revolution. With his team of students and post-doctoral researchers, he is working to find a superconductor that can work at room temperature. These materials conduct electricity perfectly, but so far only at extremely low temperatures.

The work of Mark A. Wainberg (Jewish General Hospital, McGill University – Health Sciences)resulted in the development of one of the most valuable drugs in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the novel compound 3TC. His studies served as the basis for this compound to enter clinical trials. He remains one of the most productive researchers in the field worldwide.

John Whalley (University of Western Ontario – Social Sciences) is Canada’s leading research economist and is the top ranking publishing economist in his discipline. He has worked on developing procedures to analyze tax reform options for Canada, the U.K., the U.S., and many other economies. His other fields of work include international trade and development.

The Killam Prizes are part of the Killam Trusts, established by Dorothy J. Killam in memory of her husband, Izaak Walton Killam. Reflecting the couple’s joint commitment to scholarship, the Trusts support advanced education and research through programs at four Canadian universities, the Montreal Neurological Institute and the Canada Council for the Arts. The Killam Trusts are valued at approximately $400 million, the income from which is largely applied to research fellowships and to prizes for career achievement.