Trent alumnus Dr. Jeffrey McDonnell '83 (Traill College), a world-renowned hydrologist whose research is critical to solving some of the world’s biggest water challenges, has received the nation’s highest honour by being appointed an officer to the Order of Canada.  

McDonnell is a distinguished professor of hydrology and associate director of the Global Institute for Water Security whose award-winning research has had a seminal scientific impact on the field including advancing water security and deepening the world’s understanding of the water cycle.  

“On behalf of the Trent University community, I congratulate Dr. Jeffrey McDonnell on his achievements that exemplify Trent’s values of excellence, innovation, and leadership in water research,” said Naomi Handley, director of Alumni Engagement & Services. “Dr. McDonnel’s remarkable contributions to hydrology not only advance scientific understanding but also serve as a profound source of inspiration for our students who, like him, are poised to lead in environmental sciences and shape the future of water research.” 

McDonnel’s appointment was announced by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada and Trent’s seventh chancellor (1995 to 1999, 2002). 

“Trent is where it all started for me,” McDonnell said. “My professors and peers all shaped me, and Trent provided the launching pad for my research career.” 

McDonnell’s research has led to new techniques for measuring and understanding how rainfall moves through landscapes, while also improving our understanding of how watersheds store and release water. His work has transformed the world’s understanding of the water cycle by quantifying the age of waters - in plants, soil, groundwater and streams - showing how the water cycle is less rhythmic and more compartmentalized than previously thought.  

“Understanding these issues is critical to solving some of the world’s biggest water challenges,” he says.  

McDonnell’s accolades include the 2016 International Hydrology Prize from the International Association of Hydrological Sciences, UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization; and prizes from the European Geosciences Union, American Institute of Hydrology, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

He has served as President of the American Geophysical Union’s Hydrology Section and the International Association of Hydrological Sciences International Commission on Tracers, while also being named a member of the Royal Society of Canada and a fellow of the Geological Society of America and the Royal Geographical Society.  

All Order of Canada appointees will be invited to an upcoming investiture ceremony to receive their insignia.