Lorne Babiuk, director of the Saskatoon-based Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, has been named an officer of the Order of Canada, the second highest rank in Canada’s most prestigious civilian honour system.
“Obviously, when you get an honour of this magnitude, it is not something you ever expect,” he said. “When it happens, it is a very humbling experience but it won’t change me.”
Governor general Adrienne Clarkson announced the honour Aug. 30 and will deliver it Sept. 9 at a Rideau Hall ceremony in Ottawa.
The Government House citation said Babiuk’s work at VIDO since 1993 has had “a profound impact on the health and productivity” of the Canadian livestock sector.
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He is a professor in the University of Saskatchewan’s department of veterinary microbiology and holds the Canada research chair in vaccinology and biotechnology at the university.
Babiuk said he hopes the announcement will help raise public and national awareness of the work VIDO does.
“Clearly, I think this elevates our profile,” he said. “An Order of Canada is not bestowed that frequently.”
Each year, 64 Canadians are named officers of the Order in recognition of “a lifetime of achievement and merit of a high degree, especially in service to Canada or to humanity at large.”
Babiuk was one of 48 Canadians honoured last week with appointments as companion, officer or member of the Order of Canada.
They range from architect Moshe Safdie to singer Susan Aglukark, Saskatchewan actor Gordon Tootoosis and newspaper columnist Roy MacGregor.
University of Saskatchewan president Peter MacKinnon, a member of the advisory committee of the Order of Canada, praised Babiuk for his contributions to research.
Under his direction, VIDO scientists have developed vaccines that have given the organization a worldwide reputation. It recently received close to $7 million from an American charity to develop vaccines for newborns, particularly in developing countries.
Babiuk has also received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.
