Robert Burrell

Biography

Dr. Burrell was a 2-term Canada Research Chair in Nanostructured Biomaterials and is a Professor and Chair of Biomedical Engineering in the Faculties of Engineering and Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta. He is the past Vice President, Science and Technology and Chief Scientific Officer, for Nucryst Pharmaceutical Corp. He is one of the world’s leading experts on the use of advanced metallic films for therapeutic applications including: the control of microbial growth on devices and the control of the inflammatory responses after injury. He is the inventor of various devices and processes and named on more than 300 patents worldwide, including the Acticoat dressings which are the world’s first commercial therapeutic application of nanotechnology. Along with antimicrobial films, Dr. Burrell has also researched and lead commercialization of numerous medical products in visual immunoassays, submicron superparamagnetic particles, and single cell protein production. He has received many awards as recognizing his work on nanostructured materials in medicine as follows.
Awards
2019 Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence. The highest honour the Province of Alberta can bestow on a citizen. Members come from all walks of life. The one thing all members have in common is that they have made an outstanding provincial, national, or international impact. The Alberta Order of Excellence is about recognizing Albertans who have made a difference, who have served Albertans with excellence and distinction.
2018 Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Election to NAI Fellow status is the highest professional distinction accorded solely to academic inventors. The program has 1060 Fellows worldwide representing more than 250 prestigious universities and governmental and non-profit research institutes.
2016 Meritorious Service Cross (M.S.C.) The Civil Division Cross recognizes a deed or an activity that has been performed in an outstandingly professional manner, or with uncommonly high standards; the activity is often innovative, sets an example for others to follow, improves the quality of life of a community and brings considerable benefit or honour to Canada.
2016 Governor Generals Innovation Award, which recognizes and celebrates outstanding Canadian individuals, teams and organizations— trailblazers and creators who contribute to our country’s success, who help shape our future and who inspire the next generation.
2013 Fellow, The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). CAHS works in partnership with the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Engineering to form the three Member Academies of the Council of Canadian Academies. Election to Fellowship in the Academy is considered one of the highest honours for individuals in the Canadian health sciences community and carries with it a covenant to serve the Academy and the future wellbeing of the health sciences irrespective of the Fellow’s specific discipline.
2010 Jonas Salk Award which is a lifetime achievement award presented annually to a Canadian scientist, physician or researcher who has made a new and outstanding contribution in science or medicine to prevent, alleviate or eliminate a physical disability. It is jointly presented by sanofi pasteur and March of Dimes.
2010 ASTech Award for Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology was presented for the development of nanocrystalline wound dressings.
2010 – 2017 Canada Research Chairs CRC Tier I. Nanostructured Biomaterials
2009 ENCANA Principal Innovation Award, The Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation. This is Canada’s highest award for technical innovation and recognizes Canadians who have demonstrated recent innovative talent in developing and successfully marketing a new concept, process or procedure.
2009 ASM International - ASM Engineering Materials Achievement Award “For the development of technology and manufacturing methods for silver based nano-structured anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory coatings with significant and wide ranging clinical and patient benefits.” The ASM Engineering Materials Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding achievement in materials or materials systems relating to the application of knowledge of materials to an engineering structure or to the design and manufacture of a product
2008 World Union of Wound Healing Society Lifetime Achievement Award for recognition of contributions to wound healing around the world
2007 Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry – Spotlight on Achievement
2006 BioAlberta Award for Scientific Achievement and Innovation
2005 Alberta Centennial Medal
2005-2006 MEDEC Award for Medical Achievement
2005 Finalist for ASTech Outstanding in Alberta Science Award
2004 Finalist for ASTech Leadership in Technology Award
2003 – 2010 Canada Research Chairs CRC Tier I. Nanostructured Biomaterials
1998 Peak Achievement Award, Westaim Corporation
1997 University Industry Synergy Award, NSERC and Conference Board of Canada