CIM

CIM Distinguished Lecturers

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CIM Distinguished Lecturers

For accomplishments in scientific, technical, management or educational activities related to the minerals industry

IMPORTANT CHANGES
Please note that the winners of this award will be recognized on screen during the CIM-Caterpillar Awards Gala.

Origins & Conditions (*NEW* nomination requirements)

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Beginning in 2021, the Awards Committee undertook a comprehensive review of the Distinguished Lecturer Award including a focus on the Quality of the Award. Please note the *NEW* nomination requirements below:

CIM Distinguished Lecturers are chosen from the CIM membership on the basis of their accomplishments in scientific, technical, management or educational activities related to the minerals industry, and invited to speak at CIM Branch and Student Chapter meetings across the country.

The CIM Distinguished Lecturers Award criteria and other information:

  1. Persons shall be selected as CIM Distinguished Lecturers on the basis of their distinguished service and accomplishments in scientific, technical or administrative activities related to the minerals industries.
  2. The candidate must have experience speaking to diverse audiences & the theme, content and message must reach a wide target audience within the diversity of CIM.
  3. The nomination must be made by a CIM Member and must be supported by three letters of recommendation (these do not have to be from CIM Members). The nomination form captures information regarding the title, abstract (100-400 words), theme, key messages, target audience and relevance of the lecture to the Mining & Minerals Industry in Canada.
  4. The nominations shall be submitted to a special CIM Distinguished Lecturers Selection Committee under the chairmanship of the CIM President-Elect with Awards Standing Committee Members.
  5. The Committee shall select the recipients, confirm their willingness to accept the honour and dedicate their time to give the Lectures, and inform the CIM Chief Executive Officer prior to the last meeting of Council preceding the Annual General Meeting.
  6. Not more than four (4) Distinguished Lecturers shall be selected in any Council year. Efforts will be made to have one of the Distinguished Lecturers able to present in French.
  7. The CIM Distinguished Lecturers are expected to give their lectures across the country as requested by CIM Branches, Technical Societies and Student Chapters. Universities may also request a lecture.
  8. In the case where the Distinguished Lecturer’s employer or the nominating body is unable to cover the expenses for a lecture, CIM National will cover the cost of air travel while the requesting body will cover local expenses (accommodation, transportation, etc.)

Recipients

This award is solely for individual nominations (no teams). There will be one lecture per Distinguished Lecturer.

Winners

2025

Nadia Mykytczuk

Nadia Mykytczuk is the president and CEO of MIRARCO (Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation), and serves as executive director of the Goodman School of Mines at Laurentian University. She brings over two decades of experience in environmental microbiology with a focus on mining systems, microbial ecology, and the development and application of biomining and bioremediation technologies. 

Her research program is centered on microbial approaches to mine waste valorization, critical mineral recovery, and site remediation. She has extensive expertise in bioleaching, cold-adapted microorganisms, and applied geomicrobiology, with a strong track record of translating fundamental research into scalable, pilot-ready technologies for the mining industry. 

Nadia currently holds the NOHFC Industrial Research Chair in Biomining and Bioremediation, leading a multidisciplinary team developing microbial solutions to legacy and emerging challenges in mine waste management. Since 2012, she has trained over 80 highly qualified personnel (HQP) across disciplines including biology, geology, biochemistry, and engineering, with an emphasis on applied, industry-relevant research training.

2025

Lesley Warren

Lesley Warren is an internationally recognized, innovative researcher delivering new water management and treatment technologies for the mining sector through novel discoveries of the mining microbiome. She moved to the University of Toronto to (UofT) take up the Claudette Mackay Lassonde Chair in Mineral Engineering in 2016 in the department of civil and mineral engineering, and became the first female director for the Lassonde Institute of Mining in 2018. She founded the Mining Futures Initiative at UofT in 2023.  She has established a pioneering, multidisciplinary research program investigating the roles of bacteria in key processes affecting mining and resource sector waste environments that pave the way for smart, nature-based technologies to improve environmental outcomes.

Member Spotlight

Aasin Mehmud, Director

Structured Finance at Caterpillar Financial

CIM has kept me connected with my mining family. People is the most important part of Caterpillar’s business, so getting our customers solutions is our goal. CIM is that bridge to our relationships with our customers and our friends and family in the industry.