[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Capone_John4.jpg” caption=”John Capone, dean of the Faculty of Science, is the recipient of the Spirit of Ontario Award from the Hamilton District of the National Congress of Italian Canadians. Photo by Susan Bubak. “]We often hear about the impact that our researchers have on the world of academia, but we don't always hear about their influence on the community at large.

John Capone, dean of the Faculty of Science, epitomizes scholarly and citizen excellence. He is one of eight recipients to be awarded the Spirit of Ontario Award by the Hamilton District of the National Congress of Italian Canadians (NCIC).

The NCIC is an umbrella organization representing over one million Italian-Canadians (or Canadians married to or descendants of Italians) in Canada. It was established in Ottawa in 1974 to unify Italian-Canadians and give them a sense of strength in their community and across Canada.

The Spirit of Ontario Awards were established by the Ontario Region of the NCIC in 2007. They were created to recognize Italian Canadians who made a significant contribution in the areas of research and innovation, academia, social justice, community service, science, education, business and entrepreneurship, and the Arts. Capone is the recipient of the science award.

The Ontario Region leads five districts in the province. These awards will be presented every five years on a rotating basis amongst the districts of Hamilton, Ottawa, Toronto, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay. Hamilton will host the inaugural 2008 Awards Gala on Thursday, Oct. 2.

“We received the nomination of Dr. Capone from the Faculty of Science at McMaster and to those of us on the award committee, it seemed evident that he was an individual who embodied the spirit of this organization while simultaneously serving science and his community with excellence and integrity,” said Miriam Olivieri, president of the Hamilton District of the NCIC and a member of the award committee. “We are proud to bestow this award upon a valued and deserving member of the Italian community and I know that Dr. Capone is an ideal role model for the National Congress of Italian Canadians.”

Born in Hamilton in 1955, Capone is a first-generation Italian Canadian. He has been a strong advocate for the scientific community at McMaster as well as throughout Ontario and Canada.

As dean of Science, he has strengthened and moved the Faculty forward in many aspects of research, education and service. With his leadership and guidance, the Faculty has seen strategic growth in the areas of nanotechnology, neurosciences, molecular biology, biotechnology, nuclear science and environmental science initiatives through various federal, provincial and regional initiatives and international partnerships.

Capone has also committed to the creation of several new and innovative cross-disciplinary graduate programs that will train the next generation of scientific leaders. Examples of these include Master of Science (MSc) and PhD Programs in Neuroscience, MSc and PhD Programs in Chemical Biology, and MSc and PhD programs in Computer Engineering and Science.

When Capone became the dean of Science in 2005, he brought with him the vision of an interdisciplinary and solidly integrated research-based undergraduate program that targeted highly motivated and high-achieving undergraduate students. The new iSci program will be unique in North America and will accept its first class of students in fall 2009.

Capone continues to maintain an active, externally-funded research program focused on gene regulation of nuclear hormone receptors, cancer and molecular virology. He also maintains active research collaborations with a number of individuals with whom he has published numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Capone has brought to the Faculty of Science a sense of commitment to community. He is himself involved in many community organizations and volunteer activities, and he also encourages both faculty members and students to engage the community and promote scientific literacy and understanding through various public lectures, outreach to schools, hospitals and other public centres.

“Family, community and academia are the driving forces in my life,” said Capone. “I am extremely honoured to be chosen for this award and it means a great deal to be recognized in this manner by the National Congress of Italian Canadians.”