September 9, 2014
Professor Ted Sargent joined an illustrious group this week when his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) was announced Tuesday.
Professor Sargent of The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) was elected to the Academy of Science in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Division. His research has resulted in advances in nanotechnology and materials chemistry, which he has translated into novel engineered devices for energy harvesting, light sensing, and medical diagnosis. He pioneered solution-processed solar cells that absorb the sun’s full spectrum, including both its visible and infrared components. He has also created exceedingly sensitive light detectors to enable image acquisition in low light.
“It is a great privilege – particularly in light of the number of superb UofT scholars who have joined the ranks of FRSC, both from within and beyond the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering,” said Professor Sargent.
He and Professor Peter Zandstra of IBBME were the two engineers among 21 new Fellows from University of Toronto. Professor Sargent is the ninth ECE faculty member to be elected as a Fellow, joining Professors Aitchison (elected 2010), Cobbold (1976), Davison (1977), Eleftheriades (2009), Kschischang (2012), Rose (2012), Salama (2001), and Venetsanopoulos (2010).
Ninety new Fellows were named in 2014, including three Foreign Fellows, three Specially Elected Fellows, and one Honorary Fellow. [Read citations for all 2014 Fellows – PDF]
The society’s mission is to recognize scholarly, research and artistic excellence, to advise governments and organizations, and to promote a culture of knowledge and innovation in Canada. Membership in the RSC, which comprises the Academies of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences of Canada, is one of the highest honours a researcher can achieve, and the new Fellows join the nation’s most distinguished scholars, artists and scientists in an organization that dates back to 1882.
“The RSC warmly welcomes this year’s 90 newly elected Fellows. These outstanding scholars, artists and scientists will be joining the Society due to their outstanding work in the arts, humanities and sciences,” said Graham Bell, President of the RSC and a professor of biology at McGill University. “By promoting and recognizing these leading intellectuals and researchers, the Royal Society of Canada continues to be on the forefront of significant advances for the betterment of Canada and the world.”
The Fellows will be formally inducted at a ceremony in Ottawa on November 22, 2014.
More information:
Marit Mitchell
Senior Communications Officer
The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
416-978-7997; marit.mitchell@utoronto.ca