J. Gordin Kaplan Award for Excellence in Research
Feature Articles
Dr David Marples and Dr John Vederas have both spent countless hours in libraries and laboratories around the world trying to shed light on their fields of study. Marples, a professor of history, and Vederas, a professor of bio-organic chemistry, have been named winners of the 2003 University of Alberta J. Gordin Kaplan Award for Excellence in Research, the U of A's most prestigious research prize. A specialist in Eastern European studies, Marples rose to prominence by studying the many aspects of the 1986 nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. Vederas’ work on how proteins function has led to an array of promising new products, processes, and drugs. Applications developed from his research range from cholesterol-lowering drugs and natural food preservatives to medicines for combating viral infections and preventing premature births.
Original: ExpressNews
Edmonton Protocol Pioneer Earns Kaplan Award
“Just surround yourself with bright young people” is Dr Ray Rajotte’s explanation for his world-renowned research success. Rajotte heads the University of Alberta’s Islet Transplantation Group and is a member of the team that developed the Edmonton Protocol procedure for islet cell transplant. In 2002, Rajotte and the other members of his research team were working on developing a diabetes research centre on campus. In 2007, this goal has been achieved, and the Alberta Diabetes Institute will be moving into a brand new building sometime in 2008.
Original: ExpressNews
 is the Director of the now-famous Islet Transplantation Group that developed the Edmonton Protocol, a surgical and pharmacological procedure for transplanting islet cells, the cells that are responsible for producing insulin. He is pictured with Dr Robert A. MacBeth, who from 1960 to 1975 was professor and chairman of the Department of Surgery and Director of Surgical Services at the University of Alberta Hospital.', 'Image Copyright University of Alberta Archives. Photographer: Richard Siemens', 'images/people/UACS-2007-0013_det.jpg', 3); "Dr. Ray Rajotte")
The J. Gordin Kaplan Award for Excellence in Research, the most prestigious University of Alberta research award, was originally called the University Research Prize and was first presented in 1982. The award was renamed in 1988 in honour of J. Gordin Kaplan, the first Vice-President (Research) at the University of Alberta.
Two awards, consisting of an engraved plaque and a $5000 cash prize, are presented annually in recognition of outstanding work in distinct fields of research: excellence in the general area of humanities, social sciences, law, education, and fine arts, and excellence in the sciences or engineering.
Past recipients of the J. Gordin Kaplan Award for Excellence in Research include:
2007
Paul W. Armstrong, Medicine, Division of Cardiology
Lewis N. Klar, Law
2006
Norman C. Beaulieu, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Royston Greenwood, Strategic Management and Organization
 and a professor in the Department of Chemistry. His research team developed the first crystal structure of a single chain antibody in complex with its antigen.', 'Image Copyright University of Alberta Archives. Photographer: Richard Siemens', 'images/people/UACS-2007-0014_det.jpg', 3); "Dr. David R. Bundle")
2005
Wiktor (Vic) L. Adamowicz, Rural Economy
David R. Bundle, Chemistry
2004
R. Chris Bleackley, Biochemistry
Miriam Stewart, Nursing
; "Dr. Chris Bleakley")
2003
David R. Marples, History and Classics
John C. Vederas, Chemistry
2002
Raymond V. Rajotte, Surgery
Max van Manen, Secondary Education
2001
D. Jean Clandinin, Elementary Education
Richard B. Stein, Physiology
2000
C.R. (Bob) Hinings, Strategic Management and Organization
Nicole Tomczak-Jaegermann, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
1999
Susan A. McDaniel†, Sociology
David W. Schindler, Biological Sciences
1998
Edward G. Blodgett†, Modern Languages and Cultural Studies
David Lorne Tyrrell, Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
1997
Norman Dovichi, Chemistry
Linda Fedigan, Anthropology
1996
Isobel Grundy†, English and Film Studies
Robert Moody†, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
1995
Jacob Masliyah, Chemical and Materials Engineering
Douglas Owram, History and Classics
1994
Gary Kelly, English and Film Studies
Dale Vitt, Biological Sciences
1993
Chuji Hiruki†, Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science
Rowland McMaster, English and Film Studies
1992
Alice Nakamura, Finance and Management Science
Brian Sykes, Biochemistry
1991
William Graham†, Chemistry
Lyndal Osborne†, Art and Design
1990
James MacGregor†, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Brendan Rule*, Psychology
1989
Paul Kebarle, Chemistry
John Orrell*, English and Film Studies
1988
Michael James†, Biochemistry
Edward Mozejko†, Modern Languages and Cultural Studies
1987
Jagannath Das, Educational Psychology
Erwin Diener, Medical Microbiology and Immunology
1986
Juliet McMaster†, English and Film Studies
Donald Westlake†, Biological Sciences
1985
Duncan Fishwick†, History and Classics
Neil Madsen, Biochemistry
1984
Gerhard Krapf†, Music
Norbert Morgenstern†, Civil and Environmental Engineering
1983
Werner Israel†, Physics
Norman Page†, English and Film Studies
1982
Leslie Green†, Political Science
Raymond Lemieux*, Chemistry
† indicates Professor Emeritus
* indicates deceased