Since 1981, the Killam prizes have recognized annually the career achievements of five Canadian scholars. Each receives a $100,000 award. Recipients come from health sciences, engineering, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences and are scholars and scientists actively engaged in research in industry, government agencies or universities. The prize was initiated with a donation by Dorothy J. Killam in memory of her husband, financier Izaak Walton Killam. The Killam estate also helped establish the Canada Council for the Arts.
This year's winners were announced yesterday in Toronto.
Ellen Bialystok - York University, social sciences
R. Mark Henkelman - University of Toronto, health sciences
The internationally renowned biomedical researcher is using state-of-the-art digital imaging technologies to research human diseases. He brought the first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment to Canada in the early 1980s. His research focuses on using imaging technology to diagnose cancer and other diseases.
Ming Li - University of Waterloo, engineering
For work in computer science and bioinformatics to investigate new ways to examine the sequence, structure and function of living cells. One of a handful of computer scientists whose research has had major impacts outside his own discipline.
Arthur McDonald - Queen's University, natural sciences
For two decades, he has been the scientific and operational leader of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory project, an experiment that has contributed to our understanding of the properties of neutrinos and energy generation in the sun's core.
James Tully - University of Victoria, humanities
The specialist in political theory is known for his writings on English philosopher John Locke, examining constitutional theory in an age of cultural and legal pluralism.