University of Lethbridge chemistry professor Dr. Paul Hayes has received the distinction of being named a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC).
“It’s a real honour, particularly given how highly selective the CIC is with their fellowships,” says Hayes.
Each year, between two and six people are elected as fellows, no small feat, considering there are thousands of chemists, chemical engineers and chemical technologists in the country.
CIC Fellowship is a prestigious honour that recognizes outstanding contributions of CIC members across multiple areas, including service to the CIC; teaching, mentorship and public awareness; scientific management; and scientific and technical contributions.
“There’s only been one other Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada at ULethbridge, Dr. Stacey Wetmore,” he says. “That’s humbling company to be in.”
Hayes completed a BSc Honours at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick and came west to do his doctoral degree at the University of Calgary. Following an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley, Hayes joined ULethbridge in 2006. He was promoted to the rank of Professor in 2015 and was a Tier I Board of Governors Research Chair.
“My success is largely due to my supportive environment,” Hayes says. “I work with a fabulous group of students in a remarkable building with incredible facilities. I’m extremely lucky to be surrounded by such great departmental colleagues who excel in teaching, service and research. I’m proud to be part of that team.”
Hayes, who has been the Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry since 2022, has received numerous accolades for his research program in organometallic chemistry and catalysis. An innovative teacher, promoter of access to education and international student exchanges, Hayes has given numerous talks to government officials and the public and always looks for ways to get school students excited about the chemical sciences.
Hayes will be honoured at the CIC’s annual conference in Toronto in May.