Distinguished Research Award - Research & Innovation

Distinguished Research Award (established 1986)

The Distinguished Research Award is the highest honour conferred by Trent University for research and scholarly activity. An award will be made annually to a member of the Trent Faculty, including Professors Emeriti, in recognition of a full career of internationally recognized intellectual contributions, including:

Consistency in the production of scholarly materials appropriate to the scholar’s discipline;
Significant contributions to research and scholarly activity as documented by organizations that advance research, professional technical committees, and/or professional, literary, and artistic associations;
Significant direct contributions towards the training of high qualified personnel (HQP);
Receipt of research funding, at levels appropriate to the scholar’s discipline.

Distinguished Research Award Terms of Reference

2022 DRA Recipient: Dr. David Patton, Physics and Astronomy

Arriving at Trent University in 2001 as a member of the Physics and Astronomy Department, Prof. Patton is an internationally renowned scholar and forefront leader in the field of galaxy formation, galaxy-galaxy pairs, and galaxy evolution. His significant contributions to knowledge creation with an innovative and creative approach have shaped Prof. Patton’s inspiring reputation in galaxy interactions and mergers research. These contributions, amongst others, have rightly earned him recognition both in Canada and around the world.

One of Prof. Patton’s most notable contributions to the field has been his work on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Utilizing this publicly available dataset, Prof. Patton developed a pipeline to assemble one of the largest samples of galaxy-galaxy pairs which has become the premier dataset to utilize for observational studies of galaxy mergers. This dedicated effort led by Prof. Patton has resulted in numerous collaborations and partnerships and a series of 15 papers. This paper series has been cited over 1,500 times and is recognized as a benchmark in understanding galaxy interactions.

In addition to his intensive, and impactful, publication output, Prof. Patton has received considerable funding to support his research, including several significant NSERC grants. Prof. Patton’s current NSERC Discovery involves a systematic study of interacting galaxies, multi-wavelength observations and analysis of two samples of galaxy pairs to provide a deeper understanding of the role that galaxy-galaxy interactions play in the evolution of galaxies.

Prof. Patton has a contributed significantly to the training of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP). He has developed an exceptional record of undergraduate and postdoctoral training at Trent University. Beyond his students at Trent, Prof. Patton has mobilized his extensive network of partners to play an active and critical role in the mentorship of students at other institutions. In total, Prof. Patton has mentor to approximately 70 students across all graduate levels; his research guidance and mentorship has launched a cascade of successful careers.

With significant career achievements and his significant contributions to the field of astronomy, Trent University is proud to award Prof. David Patton with the 2022 Distinguished Research Award.

Distinguished Research Award Past Recipients

2021 - Dr. Sally Chivers (English and Gender & Women's Studies)
2020 - Dr. Antonio Cazorla-Sanchez (History)
2018 - Dr. Erica Nol (Biology)
2017 - Dr. Stephen Bocking (School of the Environment)
2016 - Dr. David M. K. Sheinin (History)
2015 - Dr. Suresh Narine (Biomaterials)
2014 - Dr. Haroon Akram-Lodhi (International Development Studies)
2013 - Dr. Ian Storey (Ancient History and Classics)
2012 - Dr. Don Mackay (Chemistry)
2011 - Dr. Jacqueline Solway (International Development Studies)
2010 - Dr. Bryan Palmer (Canadian Studies)
2009 - Dr. Douglas Evans (ERS)
2008 - Dr. Stephen Katz (Sociology)
2007 - Dr. Jim Struthers (Canadian Studies)
2006 - Dr. Chris Metcalfe (Environment/Resource Studies)
2005 - Dr. Barbara Marshall (Sociology)
2004 - Dr. Leonard Conolly (English Literature)
2003 - Dr. Peter Dillon (Environment/Resource Studies)
2002 - Dr. John Topic (Anthropology)
2001 - Dr. Joan Sangster (Women's Studies)
2000 - Dr. Carlyle Smith (Psychology)
1999 - Dr. Alena Heitlinger (Sociology)
1998 - Dr. Michael Peterman (English Literature)
1997 - Dr. Tom Hutchinson (ERS/Biology)
1996 - Dr. Robert Paehlke (Political Studies/ERS)
1995 - Dr. Doug McCalla (History)
1994 - Dr. Ray March (Chemistry)
1993 - Dr. Paul Healy (Anthropology)
1992 - Dr. John Burbidge (Philosophy)
1991 - Dr. Gordon Winocur (Psychology)
1990 - Dr. Joan Vastokas (Anthropology)
1989 - Dr. John Fekete (English Literature/Cultural Studies)
1988 - Dr. Keith Oldham (Chemistry)
1987 - Dr. David Kettler (Political Studies)
1986 - Dr. John Gilchrist (History)