Canada awards Lister for his contributions to nuclear and safety

DEREK LISTER has been appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to nuclear energy research and improvements to occupational safety.

Lister is an IChemE member, Professor Emeritus in Chemical Engineering, and Research Chair in Nuclear Engineering at University of New Brunswick (UNB). He is a leader in corrosion and water chemistry of nuclear systems, and established the Centre for Nuclear Energy Research (CNER) at UNB’s Fredericton campus.

Lister said: “The Order is exceptionally prestigious and my induction was totally unexpected. I am delighted to be so honoured for work in science and engineering and I find it especially gratifying in the context of nuclear technologies as the world moves to alternatives to fossil fuels.”

The Queen established the honour in 1967. It recognises outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.

Lister studied chemical engineering in Manchester, UK, before going on to work in the UK atomic industry and later joined Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) at the Chalk River Nuclear Laboratory in Ontario. His work focussed on Canada’s CANDU pressurised heavy-water reactor and the chemistry and corrosion of high-temperature water cooling systems.

He has published extensively in this field. His work has helped model the production and transport of corrosion products around reactor circuits and how to manage the resulting risk of radiation exposure to workers.

Lister is a member of the Advisory Council to Canada’s Nuclear Waste Management Organization, which is working to select a site to store Canada’s used nuclear fuel.

He will receive his award at a formal ceremony at Canada’s Government House – Rideau Hall – later this year.