Dr. Suresh Narine, director of the Trent University Centre for Biomaterials Research and professor of Physics & Astronomy and Chemistry at Trent University, is one of “Canada’s Top 40 Under 40” for 2011, heralds a national report in the Globe and Mail, Thursday, April 28.

A Trent University alumnus, Professor Narine, originally from Guyana, is an internationally- renowned expert in biomaterials, whose work focuses on the utilisation of plant oils to create “environmentally-friendly” materials such as polymers, lubricants, adhesives and drug delivery matrices for everyday use. He is the author of two seminal textbooks in the area of lipid crystallization, and co-author of numerous scientific publications and patents.

"I had an opportunity to meet and learn about the other 39 recipients of this award, and am overwhelmingly humbled to be included in such an accomplished group,” said Prof. Narine.  “I am also deeply honoured to be so recognized in Canada - a country which seems to have equally adopted me as I have adopted it.  I believe that my being chosen as one of the award recipients is an endorsement of the value of global citizenship and of the kind of multi-stakeholder approaches to harnessing science for sustainable development that I have been involved with throughout my career.  I feel privileged to enjoy this type of recognition in Canada whilst still being actively committed to and involved in the promulgation of science and technology solutions for development in my home country of Guyana."

At Trent University in February 2010, Prof. Narine was awarded a $1.25 million Ontario Research Chair in Green Chemistry and Engineering from the Council of Ontario Universities, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. In November of that same year, he was awarded a $3 million senior industrial research chair in biomaterials from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in partnership with Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. and the Grain Farmers of Ontario.

Prof. Narine completed both his B.Sc. and M.Sc. at Trent University in Chemistry and Physics, and his Ph.D. in Food Science at the University of Guelph. After graduating and working as a research scientist with M&M Mars in New Jersey, Prof. Narine was recruited to the University of Alberta, appointed professor and named Alberta Value Added Corporation (AVAC) research chair by the age of 27. He went on to become the founding director of the Alberta Lipid Utilization Research Program. In 2005, he was awarded the prestigious Growing Alberta Leadership Award for Innovation. In 2006, he was honoured by his alma mater with the Trent University Distinguished Alumni award.

In his native Guyana in 2005, Prof. Narine accepted a presidential appointment as the director of Guyana’s Institute of Applied Science and Technology. There he introduced biodiesel technology and established a commercially-viable biodiesel production facility in the Northwest District of Guyana - a boost to Guyana's development - creating employment for 180 people. The Institute of Applied Science and Technology is now, six years later, among the leading applied science institutes in the region. Prof. Narine was recognized by the Guyanese Diaspora in Canada for his efforts, with the Special Achievement Guyana/Canada Award in 2007. Prof. Narine continues his volunteer work with the institution today.

In his current position at Trent University as the director of the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research, Prof. Narine’s work involves the research and commercialization of green chemistry and engineering while building networks with other researchers and research bodies in Canada and abroad, including industry and non-governmental organizations. Prof. Narine contributes to public understanding and policy development in the area of toxics reduction and trains highly qualified personnel while teaching undergraduate and graduate students.

Professor Narine is also the proud father of 10 year old triplets – Vandana, Rudra and Geetanjali.

The Top 40 under 40 awards recognize Canada’s most innovative and visionary young leaders. Recipients are selected for their outstanding vision and leadership, innovation and achievement, impact, community involvement and development strategy. Past winners of the Top 40 under 40 now represent a Who’s Who of leaders in business, science and social organizations.