University of Guelph Prof. Amar Mohanty has been nominated for an RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award for 2019. He is among 75 finalists. Presented by Canadian Immigrant magazine, the award recognizes the professional and personal contributions immigrants make to Canadian society.

Mohanty holds appointments in the Department of Plant Agriculture and the School of Engineering. He holds the Premier’s Research Chair in Biomaterials and Transportation and is director of U of G’s Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre.

An international leader in the field of biomaterials, he engineers sustainable materials such as bio-based composites for a variety of applications. His formulations can be used for durable applications in the automotive industry, and in short-term use as biodegradable polymers. He and his team invented the world’s first certified, fully compostable single-serve coffee pod, now on the market.

The prestigious Canadian Immigrants Award has recognized distinguished business leaders, Canada Research Chairs, scientists, entrepreneurs and celebrities.

“We are very fortunate that Professor Mohanty has made U of G his academic home,” said Malcolm Campbell, U of G vice-president (research). “He has been shortlisted for the Canadian Immigrants Award from a pool of hundreds in recognition of his efforts and achievements in transforming the research and innovation landscape of our country.”

Voting for the top 25 award finalists continues until May 16. Anyone can vote for up to three candidates at the following link.

Mohanty has been named a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Society of Plastic Engineers and the Royal Society of Chemistry. His numerous honours include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the BioEnvironmental Polymer Society.