The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal will be presented posthumously to Dr. Pari Basrur at the celebration of her life to be held Saturday.
Guelph MP Frank Valeriote will present the medal to Basrur’s husband Vasanth at the start of the ceremony, which will take place Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. in Rozanski Hall. The event will include a reception and tributes by colleagues and friends including U of G president Alastair Summerlee and Dr. Elizabeth Stone, OVC dean.
The medals commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne as Queen of Canada. The awards recognize Canadians who have made a significant contribution to other citizens, their community or their country.
Dr. Basrur died Nov. 10 at the age of 83.
A pioneer in the field of animal reproductive biotechnology, Basrur was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, scientist, mentor and friend. She began her distinguished career at OVC in 1959, and her work in the 1960s with Dr. John Gilman laid the foundation for the College’s renowned program in animal cytogenetics and reproductive technology.
For more, see the obituary and the story in the Guelph Mercury.