Honorary Degrees

Fred Van Goor has had a profound impact on the lives of people with cystic fibrosis through his groundbreaking research to develop a new class of treatments that can extend the life expectancy of those with the disease by decades.

He earned his bachelor of science and PhD in biological sciences from the U of A, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. National Institutes of Health before joining Vertex Pharmaceuticals in 2001, where he is now vice-president and head of cystic fibrosis research. At Vertex, he led a team that discovered and developed five licensed medicines for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, including Trikafta, an ingenious combination of three drugs that work in tandem to repair defects in a protein found in people with cystic fibrosis. Trikafta is suitable for about 90 per cent of people living with cystic fibrosis and is accessible in more than 50 countries. Van Goor is now working on a new treatment for those who don’t respond to current therapies.

He has published six book chapters on cystic fibrosis, ion channel drug discovery and endocrinology, and is the author of more than 40 research articles in major peer-reviewed journals. He is also highly regarded as a mentor and advocate who is inspiring the next generation of researchers and forging connections with patients and families. In recognition of his life-transforming work, he received a prestigious Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences in 2023 and was a co-recipient of a 2024 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the world’s richest award honouring scientific advances.

Anita Lum’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of purpose. A proud University of Alberta alumna, she built a distinguished career in public service on the global stage as a Trade Commissioner with the federal government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, developing new markets for Canadian agricultural products in Ottawa and representing Canada’s interests abroad. Anita later returned home to serve in Alberta as the Regional Manager, Policy, Planning and External Relations with Prairies Economic Development Canada, leading strategic initiatives that strengthen communities and drive economic growth across Western Canada.

But in November 2021, Anita’s life changed in an instant. A head-on collision left her with multiple injuries, including a traumatic brain injury that caused aphasia, a condition that impairs communication. Overnight, the confident, fast-paced leader who once spoke at government roundtables found herself struggling to express even simple thoughts.

Instead of strategic meetings and policy briefings, Anita’s days were filled with medical appointments and rehabilitation. She also faced misunderstanding from those who couldn’t see her invisible injuries. Yet, rather than letting the experience define her, Anita chose to rebuild—slowly, courageously, and with deep gratitude for those who supported her recover.

Her journey led her back to the University of Alberta, where she joined the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine’s Corbett Aphasia Rehabilitation and Education (CARE) program. There, among others living with aphasia, she found not only her voice again but a renewed sense of connection and purpose.

Through her extensive recovery, Anita has come to embody the lessons she now shares with new graduates: that resilience is built one step at a time, that our greatest challenges can become our greatest teachers, and that success is measured, not only by achievement, but by how we lift others along the way. Anita’s message to the graduating class is simple yet powerful: Work hard, stay humble, and leave the world better than you found it—because even when life changes in an instant, your strength, compassion, and authenticity can change the world in return.

David Lynch was born in the village of Minto, New Brunswick where coal-mining and electricity generation were the main industries. He received his Chemical Engineering degree from the University of New Brunswick (1977) followed by a PhD from the University of Alberta (1982) focused on the areas of catalysis and chemical reactor engineering. He is Professor Emeritus (Chemical Engineering) at the University of Alberta following 41 years as a faculty member including 21 years as Dean of Engineering (1994-2015).

During his tenure as Dean, undergraduate enrolment in engineering doubled, while graduate enrolment quadrupled, bringing the total number of engineering students to over 6,000. More than 18,000 engineering students graduated during this period. Over 270 new engineering faculty members were hired, and more than 50 endowed, industrial, and government-funded Chair positions were established. Five major new buildings were constructed to support engineering education and research. In total, over $950 million was raised to fund these transformative initiatives.

Dr. Lynch has served on more than 30 Alberta-based, national and international advisory, management, government and corporate boards and agencies. Most recently, he was on the Board of Directors of Engineers Canada (2016-2021) including a one-year term as President and Chair of the Board.

David Lynch has received numerous awards including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Alberta Centennial Medal, the AC Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, the APEGA Centennial Leadership Award, the ASTech Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Alberta Science and Technology Community, and he was named the “Resource Person of the Year” by the Alberta Chamber of Resources.

On his final day as Dean of Engineering, June 30, 2015, was officially proclaimed “Dr. David Lynch Day” in Edmonton by Mayor Don Iveson. In recognition of his contributions, the University of Alberta also established the “David and Joan Lynch School of Engineering Safety and Risk Management.” David Lynch was awarded an Honorary Degree (D.Sc.) from the University of New Brunswick in 2018, and he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada by the Governor-General of Canada in 2022.