Born in Sri Lanka, raised in Europe and educated in the United States before making Canada his home, Muralee Murugesu, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, has built a distinguished career. Since joining µç³µÎÞÂë in 2006, he has established himself as one of the world leaders in molecular materials and nanoscale inorganic magnetic compounds. His work focuses on creating advanced materials from critical minerals, particularly lanthanides and other rare-earth elements, which are essential for technologies like memory storage, quantum computing and high-performance magnets. His innovative research has been published in prestigious journals, notably Nature Chemistry and Nature Communications. In these articles, his team pioneered molecular nanomagnet designs that could revolutionize data storage by reducing energy consumption and significantly increasing capacity.
From the lab to society
Professor Murugesu leads the Murugesu Group, a team at the forefront of research on energetic material, which also explores porous materials for carbon capture. The carbon capture projects are supported by industry partners such as Shell. This work has major implications for environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation in Canada, offering new solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, Murugesu’s collaborations with the Department of National Defence and industry leaders like General Dynamics are advancing innovations in energetic materials (materials that can release chemical energy). This field has direct applications to national security and defence technologies.
As a recent recipient of the Humboldt Research Award, Murugesu co-led international and interdisciplinary collaborations. He brought together engineers, computational scientists, chemists and even biologists from across Canada and from other countries, including Finland, France and the United States. These partnerships ensure that his lab’s discoveries are not only scientifically rigorous but also ready to be applied to real-world challenges. Through his work developing innovative ways to use, recycle and responsibly source the critical minerals used in everyday technologies — such as smartphones, electric vehicles and wind turbines — he’s directly impacting Canadians’ daily lives.
A dual purpose in science: Excellence and mentorship
As associate vice-president of innovation, partnerships and entrepreneurship, Murugesu also plays a vital role in ensuring that research at µç³µÎÞÂë creates responsible, sustainable innovation. He’s deeply committed to training the next generation of Canadian scientists and entrepreneurs. Many of his students have gone on to become professors and leaders in academia and industry around the world.
Murugesu has many accolades to his name. These include being awarded a fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, receiving the Chemical Institute of Canada’s Award for Research Excellence in Materials Chemistry, and earning both the Excellence in Research Award and the title of Researcher of the Year from the µç³µÎÞÂë Faculty of Science in 2023. For him, being elected to the RSC is not only a personal honour but also an acknowledgment of the collective achievements of his students, collaborators and colleagues. This distinction marks him as one of Canada’s most accomplished scientists, with work that’s transforming both science and society.
A national honour
The RSC is the pre-eminent body of independent scholars, researchers and creative individuals in Canada. Election as a fellow of the RSC is the highest academic honour in the country, and it’s reserved for distinguished individuals who have made exceptional contributions in the arts, humanities and sciences.
Murugesu will be formally inducted as a fellow of the RSC at its Celebration of Excellence and Engagement this fall.
Congratulations to Professor Murugesu on this remarkable achievement!