Premier's Medal of Innovation and Industry Research Chairs Announced

In a ceremony on June 29, 2009, Premier Robert Ghiz gave special recognition to individuals working in the field of research and development for their commitment to strengthen the innovative sectors of the PEI economy. A highlight of the ceremony included the presentation of the Premier's Medal for Innovation and the appointment of two Provincial Industry Research Chairs.

Dr. Russ Kerr, CEO of Nautilus Biosciences Canada Inc., was awarded the Medal for Innovation by Premier Robert Ghiz. Dr. Kerr received the award for his research work to further develop production methods and conduct pre-clinical trials for a marine-derived natural product known as desmethyleleutherobin. This compound is a highly promising cancer therapeutic whose development has been hampered by the lack of commercial supply.

Dr. Kerr is a Professor and Tier I Canada Research Chair in Marine Natural Products in the Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences at the Atlantic Veterinary College.

Premier Ghiz also announced the appointments of two Industry Research Chairs. UPEI researchers and industry leaders Dr. Larry Hammell and Dr. Greg Keefe were named to the 5-year appointments. The purpose of the Industry Research Chairs Program is to encourage stronger partnerships between research institutions and the private sector to support the development of new products and services that show potential for commercialization.

Dr. Greg Keefe is a professor of dairy production medicine at UPEI's Atlantic Veterinary College. He is an internationally recognized leader in milk quality research and the application of new information and diagnostic technologies to advance disease surveillance and food quality.

Dr. Keefe is director of the Atlantic Veterinary College's Maritime Quality Milk, a centre that has an integrated research and service capacity that is unparalleled within the Canadian dairy industry. The Research Chair position will focus on commercial opportunities developed out of the current and future Maritime Quality Milk Platform.

Dr. Hammell is Director of the AVC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences and a professor of epidemiology at UPEI's Atlantic Veterinary College. He is an aquatic species health expert who leads the Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences, one of the world's premier institutions for applied research on health management in aquatic food animals.

Dr. Hammell is a member of the OIE Group (World Health Organization for Animal's aquatic disease surveillance ), a leader of the Disease Technical Working Group for Salmon Aquaculture Dialogue with the World Wildlife Fund and a member of the National Aquatic Animal Health Program Management Committee.