The University of Lethbridge Alumni Association presents a special lecture by Lawrence Johnson - Nuclear Waste, What is the Solution? - at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014 at the Dr. Foster James Penny Building

Considered an international leader in the development of fuel waste technology, University of Lethbridge alumnus Lawrence Johnson (BASc (BSc) ’78) has been named the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association’s 2014 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.

Lawrence Johnson’s clear and innovative approach to fuel waste technology has established his position as an international leader in his field.

“We’re very excited to recognize Lawrence’s contributions to his industry with the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year honour,” says Grant Adamson, president of the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association. “Lawrence is at the top of his field, and he exemplifies the spirit and values of the University of Lethbridge through work that makes a real difference in the world.”

Johnson’s clear and innovative approach to fuel waste technology has established his position as an international leader in the field.

After graduating from the U of L in 1978, Johnson took advantage of the growing opportunities in the nuclear industry at that time and started his career at Atomic Energy of Canada. During his time with the company, he led Canadian studies for the development of engineered barriers for nuclear waste disposal that played a central role in the Canadian Environmental Assessment and Review Process conducted from 1994-97.

Currently working for the National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste in Switzerland, Johnson coordinates planning of research on repositories for radioactive waste, manages studies on spent nuclear fuel under disposal conditions and is responsible for developing design concepts for disposal canisters.

He is the author of more than 120 journals, reports and conference papers and acts as a consultant to numerous international waste disposal organizations.

“Our alumni, now numbering more than 37,000, are recognized as leaders in a variety of fields throughout the world,” says Maureen Schwartz, director of Alumni Relations at the U of L. “We’re pleased to recognize Lawrence with this honour and mindful of the many alumni who contribute to bettering their communities on a daily basis.”

Lawrence Johnson will be recognized for his outstanding professional accomplishments at the Fall 2014 convocation ceremony.