Molly Shoichet facts for kids

Molly S. Shoichet is a Canadian professor who studies science. She specializes in chemistry, biomaterials, and biomedical engineering. She was the first Chief Scientist for the province of Ontario. Dr. Shoichet is famous for her work in tissue engineering. She is also the only person to be a member of all three National Academies in Canada.

Her Education Journey

Molly Shoichet went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She earned her first degree in chemistry in 1987. Later, she studied at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. There, she received her PhD in polymer science and engineering in 1992.

Her Amazing Career

After finishing her PhD, Dr. Shoichet started working at Brown University. She was an adjunct professor there. At the same time, she also worked in the science industry.

In 1995, Dr. Shoichet joined the University of Toronto. She still works there today. Her research focuses on tissue and polymer engineering. She works on how to deliver medicines to specific body parts. She also studies how to help damaged body tissues grow back.

Early in her career, she studied the blood–brain barrier. This is a protective layer around the brain. Her lab uses a special gel to deliver medicines. This gel helps drugs reach the central nervous system. It also helps them get past the blood-brain barrier. These medicines can include chemotherapy drugs. They can also be agents to help heal damage from a stroke.

This special delivery method is also being tested with stem cells. Stem cells are like blank cells that can become different types of cells. Dr. Shoichet's team uses hydrogels to deliver stem cells. These hydrogels help deliver stem cells to damaged retinas in the eye. The hydrogels are easy to inject into the body. Once inside, they form a support structure. This structure helps cells grow in the right 3D shape.

Sharing Science with Everyone

In 2015, Dr. Shoichet helped start Research2Reality. This group shares Canadian science research. They use easy-to-read blog posts and short videos. This helps more people understand science. She also helped create the "Artful Science" exhibit. This exhibit was shown at the Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Ontario's First Chief Scientist

In November 2017, Molly Shoichet was named Ontario's first Chief Scientist. This was by the Premier at the time, Kathleen Wynne. She led a team of six people. Their job was to connect the government, science, and business groups. They also worked to make sure decisions were based on scientific facts.

However, on July 3, 2018, her position was ended. This happened when a new government was elected in Ontario.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Molly Shoichet has received many awards for her important work.

In 2010, she was given the Order of Ontario. This is a high honor in the province.

In 2015, she won the North American L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science. She received this award for her work on nerve tissue repair. She also won for her new ways to deliver drugs directly to the spinal cord and brain. She often speaks up for women in science.

The University of Toronto named her a "University Professor" in 2014. This is a very special title. She is the only person to be a member of all three National Academies in Canada. In 2013, the University of Toronto also called her an "Inventor of the Year." She won the Kalev Pugi Award in 2017. She also holds the Canada Research Chair in Tissue Engineering. This means she is a top researcher in this field.

In 2017, she also received the Killam Prize for engineering. She was also made an Officer of the Order of Canada (OC). This is one of Canada's highest honors.

In 2020, she won the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering. This is a very important science award in Canada.

Other Special Honors

• Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2013)
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013)
• Member, Canadian Academy of Sciences of the Royal Society of Canada
• Member, Canadian Academy of Engineering
• Member, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) Senior Scientist Award (2014)
• Member, Royal Society UK

See also

• Women in chemistry
• In Spanish: Molly Shoichet para niños