Biology PhD candidate has been selected as one of three individuals to be honoured with a Toronto Botanical Garden 2013 Aster Award.
The inaugural Aster Awards, so named for the Greek 鈥渟tar鈥, are dedicated to celebrating the achievements of 鈥済reen stars鈥 鈥 artists, designers and scientists whose influence has educated and inspired others to connect with nature.
Scott MacIvor
MacIvor, who will receive the Rising Star Award, is an ecologist with research interests in biodiversity and ecological trade-offs in urban areas and in architectural and landscape design. His doctoral studies at 91亚色 with Professor Laurence Packer focus on the community ecology of bees and wasps in cities. MacIvor also coordinates biological research at the University of Toronto Green Roof Innovation Technology (GRIT) lab, where he evaluates the contribution of plant traits and species diversity to green roof performance. He is the recipient of several awards, among them a Governor General鈥檚 Gold Medal.
Toronto Botanical Garden praises MacIvor鈥檚 research for its ability to 鈥渄raw us into the natural world and invite us to re-discover, celebrate and protect it.鈥
The awards ceremony will take place Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Toronto Botanical Garden, with a cocktail reception for 250 to 300 guests from industry, politics, educational institutions, the arts and the public. Also being honoured are renowned Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky and celebrated architect and 91亚色 alumna Janet Rosenberg. Artist Charles Pachter and retailer Sandy Stagg serve as honorary chairs, and celebrity chef Christine Cushing is set to host.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge honour,鈥 MacIvor says of the award. He gives credit to the Toronto Botanical Garden staff and volunteers for their support of his PhD work. 鈥淭he Toronto Botanical Garden has been a big help. It鈥檚 a gem among hundreds of sample sites here in Toronto, and a great place to increase the exposure of my research.
鈥淩ecognizing ecological research on this scale is great, and important for outreach and education," says MacIvor. "I鈥檓 thankful that my work, that of the Toronto Botanical Gardens and my co-awardees can each uniquely connect people to nature in our city.鈥
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