Two University of Guelph professors, one current and one retired, have received the highest civilian honour this year by being among 135 individuals appointed to the Order of Canada.
On Dec. 29, The Governor General announced the appointment of Alejandro G. Marangoni, a food and science professor at U of G as the officer to the Order of Canada and Barry Smit, a retired geography professor at U of G as a member of the Order of Canada.
There are three levels to the Order of Canada that are companion, officer and member.
Marangoni was appointed as an officer for his contributions to organic chemistry.
He won numerous awards in his career, served as editor in chief of Food Research International for 15 years and as research program director for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
According to the U of G, his research works toward ‘the development of novel structured emulsions as a fat replacement,’ which make it possible to remove trans fat and reduce saturated and palm oil use in food.
His innovations include oil gels, olegels, he has over 40 patents to his name, and was the co-recipient of the 2008 Guelph Partners of Innovation award.
Smit was appointed as a member for his contributions to the understanding of climate change impacts and adaptation, and ‘"or his mentorship of the next generation of climate change scientists."
Five years ago, he received the top senior honour for an academic in the country with his induction into the Royal Society of Canada.
With his decades long research in climate change, he was one of the first researchers to investigate human vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, a global expansion that he calls “an unnatural disaster.”
The appointees to the Order of Canada this year include two companions, 39 officers, one honorary member and 93 members.
