ONTARIO CELEBRATES HOMEGROWN INNOVATION WITH PRESTIGIOUS POLANYI PRIZE
Researchers recognized for driving groundbreaking, made-in-Ontario discoveries
in economy building sectors
March 02, 2026
Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and SecurityTORONTO – The Ontario government is honouring the province’s leading researchers
and their innovations with the annual John Charles Polanyi Prize, one of
Ontario’s most esteemed research awards. Named after the 1986 Nobel laureate,
the award recognizes discoveries that drive our economy, improve lives and
protect Ontario.
Today, Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and
Security was joined by the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of
Ontario and Dr. John Charles Polanyi to celebrate the recipients at a ceremony
at Queen’s Park. This year’s five recipients position Ontario as a leader in
chemistry, economic science, literature and physiology/medicine.
“Ontario researchers are saving lives and building a brighter, more prosperous
future for our province,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities,
Research Excellence and Security. “Congratulations to the 2025 winners of the
John Charles Polanyi Prizes for their outstanding achievements that continue to
cement our province as a world-class hub of research excellence.”
The 2025 Polanyi Prize researchers are recognized for their discoveries in
industries that drive Ontario’s economic success and prosperity, such as
advanced manufacturing, housing, health care and more.
“These awards recognize and encourage the achievements of Ontarians of high
promise,” said Dr. John Charles Polanyi. “This year’s recipients cover a huge
range of thought, encompassing many shared fears and hopes. They clearly
recognize the dangers in our period of rapid change, while acknowledging that
change should be cause for optimism.”
The 2025 Polanyi Prize winners are:
Dr. Katherine Marczenko, Carleton University, Chemistry
Dr. Katherine Marczenko’s research focuses on making traditionally toxic
energetic materials (EMs) safer and more environmentally friendly for real world
applications. To do this, she has designed a new class of EMs that only react
when exposed to light. Her work strengthens Ontario’s leadership in advanced
manufacturing and clean technology, while improving worker safety.
Dr. Fanwang Meng, Queen’s University, Chemistry
Dr. Fanwang Meng’s research uses machine learning to speed up drug discovery by
improving how computers analyze limited and imperfect data. His work advances
Ontario’s leadership in life sciences and health innovation, reducing the time
and cost needed to identify promising new treatments, such as therapies for
diseases like malaria.
Dr. Jeffrey Hicks, University of Toronto, Economic Science
Dr. Jeffrey Hicks studies homelessness to better understand its causes, impacts
and effective responses. By using detailed data to track housing insecurity,
health and social outcomes, his work strengthens evidence‑based decision‑making
and informs more effective prevention and support programs for vulnerable
populations.
Dr. Andrew Sargent, Huron University College, Literature
Dr. Andrew Sargent studies early Victorian poetry to deepen our understanding of
how societies make sense of uncertainty and large‑scale change. These insights
contribute to broader conversations about culture, history and how people
understand the challenges of the present.
Dr. David Cook, University of Ottawa, Physiology/Medicine
Dr. David Cook’s research focuses on how ovarian cancer cells change and adapt
during treatment to understand why some current therapies stop working. By
examining both common and rare forms of ovarian cancer using advanced laboratory
and data tools, this work advances new approaches to target treatment‑resistant
cancer cells, contributing to better outcomes for patients across the province.
“Ontario’s long-term prosperity depends on our ability to lead in discovery and
turn ideas into impact. This year’s Polanyi Prize winners are among the
province’s most exceptional researchers – individuals expanding the boundaries
of knowledge and tackling complex real-world challenges,” said Steve Orsini,
President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities. “Their achievements reflect
extraordinary talent and dedication, and demonstrate how research excellence
drives progress, strengthens Ontario’s competitiveness and delivers meaningful
impact well beyond the lab.”
Ontario’s groundbreaking innovation continues to create jobs, improve lives and
advance key sectors, making the province one of the most competitive places to
invest, grow and do business in the G7. The Polanyi Prizes recognize the
leadership of Ontario’s top researchers and postsecondary institutions,
reinforcing the province’s position as a research powerhouse on the global
stage.
QUICK FACTS
* Established in 1987, the Polanyi Prizes were created in honour of Dr. John
Charles Polanyi, winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in chemistry
.
* Ontario is investing a historic $6.4 billion
in additional funding to colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes
through a new funding model.
* Since taking office, the government has invested over $2 billion into the
research sector, including support for over 1,800 critical, economy-driving
research projects.
* In January 2026, Ontario invested more than $47 million in 195 research
projects at universities, colleges and hospitals across the province through
the Ontario Research Fund.
* In November 2025, Ontario provided $19.5 million to establish the Centre for
Fusion Energy, advancing clean energy research.
* In September 2025, Ontario invested $18 million to boost the production of
life-saving medical isotopes at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor.
QUOTES
“We are incredibly proud to see Kate Marczenko recognized for her impactful work
with the prestigious Polanyi Prize. As the pace of innovation accelerates
worldwide, awards like this enable researchers to advance discoveries that
address critical global issues.”
– Wisdom Tettey
President and Vice-Chancellor, Carleton University
“Congratulations to Dr. Fanwang Meng on receiving the Polanyi Prize for
Chemistry. His research is reshaping the field of drug discovery, accelerating
the identification of new medicines, and contributing to the development of
safer, more effective treatments for Ontarians. Through the open-source release
of his models and datasets, he is enabling collaboration across the global
research community and exemplifying Queen’s University’s commitment to
innovation in service of society.”
– Patrick Deane
Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Queen’s University
“On behalf of the University of Toronto, I am delighted to congratulate
Professor Jeffrey Hicks on his winning the 2025 Polanyi Prize in Economic
Science. Professor Hicks is poised to make major contributions in understanding
the causes of homelessness and in shaping public policy to address it. He
exemplifies the highest standards of research and innovation in service to
individuals and society. We are proud of his accomplishments so far, and excited
to see his career unfold in the years to come.”
– Melanie A. Woodin
President, University of Toronto
“Dr. Andrew Sargent is one of those remarkable academics, who conducts research
at the highest level and still manages to hold the attention of undergraduate
students in the classroom. As a scholar of literature, his boundary crossing
work also speaks to our time and its needs, exploring ecology and environmental
issues. His course on “Ecology and Catastrophe” is wildly popular at Huron.”
– Dr. Barry Craig
President and Vice-Chancellor, Huron University College
“The University of Ottawa is very proud to congratulate Dr. David Cook on this
well-earned recognition of his groundbreaking research that has unlocked
lifesaving insights into ovarian cancer treatments. Dr. Cook’s drive to innovate
and discover new knowledge is helping people access better treatments and lead
healthier lives. As the second consecutive University of Ottawa researcher to
receive the prestigious John Charles Polanyi Prize in Physiology and Medicine,
Dr. Cook’s leadership demonstrates how our partnerships with internationally
recognized hospitals and health-care organizations are pushing the boundaries of
health-care innovation in Ontario and around the world.”
– Marie-Eve Sylvestre
President, University of Ottawa
