Congratulations to Dr. Carlos Escobedo who was honored this weekend by the Embassy of Mexico in Canada with the “Mexicanos distinguidos en el extranjero” - Distinguished Mexicans Award for his significant contribution to science in Canada. The diplomatic reception, held at the Embassy in Ottawa on September 13th, was a led up to El Grito and brought together parliamentarians, senators and other dignitaries.
The Week of Mexico in Canada, along with the second edition of the Viva México on Sparks St Festival is a plethora of events from September 7 to 15, that was a backdrop for the commemoration of México's national day, bringing the best of Mexican culture, food, music, and traditions to Ottawa. Mexicans joined in the El Grito ceremony led by Ambassador Carlos Joaquín, marking the beginning of the commemoration of the 214th anniversary of México's Independence. El Grito is the commemoration of the original cry for independence from Spain on September 16, 1810.
Carlos Escobedo (right) receives the Distinguished Mexicans Award from the México Ambassador to Canada, Carlos Joaquín (left)
Csilla Volford (Global Engagement, Queen’s) attended the event on behalf of Dr. Sandra den Otter (Vice-Principal Global Engagement). Both have worked with the Embassy of Mexico in the past and hosted them when they visited Queen’s campus last month. During that visit, the embassy diplomats proposed partnering with Queen’s University in the MEX-CAN Study Hub. The Mexico-Canada Study Hub will be a pioneering initiative designed to create a space where researchers, professors, and students from both countries can share knowledge and collaborate.
Carlos received his BSc from UNAM (2000), Mexico, before coming to Canada to earn a Masters from the University of Toronto and his PhD from the University of Victoria. Carlos’ research involves the development of miniaturized technologies for analytical and diagnostic applications through the use and combination of microfluidics and optics. His group pursues the development of novel technologies for user-based applications of high socio-economic relevance and technologies with unique abilities that facilitate scientific advances in chemistry, biology and medicine. Early this year, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Mexico-Canada bilateral relations, Carlos Escobedo also shared insights into his bilateral research experience and current projects, which can viewed here.
In addition to numerous internal awards, Carlos received the prestigious Early Research Award (Government of Ontario) in 2018 and was recently recognized as a Fellow of the Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineering (CSME). Carlos was also selected as one of TD’s “10 most influential Hispanic Canadians” in 2018, which recognizes community members from across Canada.