Given the array of awards and accolades he’s garnered at such a relatively young age, it’s hard to believe that theoretical chemistry hasn’t been Paul Ayers‘ passion since childhood.

His most recent honour is the coveted Steacie Prize, widely recognized as Canada’s most prestigious award for scientists and engineers under the age of 40.

The prize is awarded to an individual who has made notable contributions to research in Canada, and is administered by the Trustees of the E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fund — a private foundation dedicated to the advancement of science and engineering in Canada.

“When I first found out about the award, I was very flattered. Then, reading the list of previous recipients, I became intimidated,” said Ayers.

“Like all honours of this type, it really is a team prize: it reflects the hard work of the amazing students and postdoctoral scientists who work with me at McMaster, as well as the help I’ve received from my distinguished collaborators from abroad. I couldn’t work on, much less solve, the types of problems I’m interested in without their help.”

His path to research excellent in theoretical chemistry was not a direct one.

In high school, Ayers did internships in management and architecture, and then decided to become a writer. However, when it came time to apply for university, he settled on physics, adding math as his second major. After a summer research stint in theoretical chemistry with one of his parents’ colleagues, Ayers had a “transformative experience” and hasn’t looked back since.

“Paul Ayers leads one of the largest theoretical research groups in the country, inspiring more than 10 graduate, PhD and postdoctoral students with his innovation and creativity, and motivating countless undergraduates with his continued research excellence,” said Mo Elbestawi, vice-president, Research and International Affairs. “We are indeed fortunate to have a scientist of such high caliber doing his groundbreaking research right here at McMaster.”

Earlier this year, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) awarded Ayers the esteemed E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship, designed to boost the career development of outstanding and highly promising university faculty, especially those with a growing international following.

William Leigh, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, notes that soon after joining the department in 2002 as Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Ayers quickly gained international status as an exceptional research scientist, garnering two medals from prominent world associations.

“Recognized as one of the leaders in deriving, implementing and applying concepts of Density Functional Theory, Paul has the unique potential to make substantial contributions to the field of theoretical chemistry, and richly deserves the recognition of Canada’s Steacie Prize,” said Leigh.

Ayers is the third McMaster professor to receive the Steacie Prize.

Peter Maitlis, an organometallic chemist and a member of the Department of Chemistry from 1962-1972, received the award in 1970 for his research on the preparation of complexes of transitions metals with acetylenes. Jules Carbotte, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, was honoured twice in 1975 with both a Steacie Fellowship and Steacie Prize for his research involving electronic properties of metals, including superconductivity.