Edwards Wins SCI Canada Award

Professor Elizabeth Edwards has been awarded the Kalev Pugi Award from the Society of Chemical Industry Canada for the development of KB-1, a microbial culture that dissolves chlorinated solvents commonly used in dry-cleaning and industrial degreasing.

Edwards has achieved international recognition for her pioneering research on how biological processes affect pollutants in the environment. In particular, she has made two major contributions to the field. The first deals with anaerobic biodegradation of monoaromatic hydrocarbons in groundwater. Edwards' research was largely responsible for disproving the belief that hydrocarbons such as benzene could not be biologically degraded under anaerobic conditions. Her second major contribution is the development of a culture called "KB-1", dominated by unusual chlororespiring bacteria called 'Dehalococcoides', for anaerobic biological reductive dechlorination of chlorinated solvents; an effective low-cost solution for clean-up of these pervasive pollutants that is now a commercial success. Edwards is a champion of interdisciplinary collaboration and an enthusiastic mentor for graduate students. She was recognized earlier this year with an NSERC Synergy Award for her collaboration with Geosyntec Consultants Inc.

The Kalev Pugi Award is presented to an individual or a team for specific R&D projects, performed during the previous 10–15 years, that embody the qualities of creativity and determination, good experimental design and project management, and which have had a significant beneficial impact on the sponsoring company or on society.

SCI Canada aims to reward excellence and promote public understanding in the entire field of chemistry and chemical industry. It accomplishes this by presenting awards to industry and academic leaders and to the best graduating students at Canadian universities.

The award was presented at the annual SCI Canada Awards Gala on March 25, 2010.