A message to the campus community from the chancellor and president
The honorary degree ― Doctor of Laws ― is the University of Calgary’s highest academic honour. It is bestowed on individuals whose notable achievements and community service merit recognition. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Ralph Brinster is the honorary degree recipient for May convocation. The honorary degree will be conferred on Dr. Brinster on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 2 p.m.
Dr. Brinster is one of the world’s top veterinary scientists. His ground-breaking research on the development of transgenic mice has significantly impacted the fields of human and veterinary medicine.
He has earned an impressive collection of awards throughout his distinguished research career, including the International Society of Transgenic Technology, Pioneer Award in 2011, the Canada Gairdner Foundation International Award in 2006 and the Wolf Prize in Medicine in 2003. Most recently, he was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Barack Obama in 2011, the first veterinarian in the country to receive this distinction in the medal’s 50-year history.
A Richard King Mellon Professor of Reproductive Physiology at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Brinster continues to perform cutting-edge research and is developing novel techniques for the culture and genetic modification of germline stem cells to restore fertility in male children undergoing cancer treatment.
Our honorary degree recipients are an integral part of convocation as inspirational role models for our graduates. Please join us in offering our congratulations and welcoming Dr. Ralph Brinster to our University of Calgary family.
Robert Thirsk Elizabeth Cannon
Chancellor President and Vice-Chancellor
The University of Calgary’s May convocation ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 7 in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium located in the Kinesiology Complex. The ceremony and honorary degree presentation will begin at 2 p.m. and is open to the public.