The BioFoundry at the University of British Columbia

Thank you for the honour! If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.

2021 Honouree Spotlight
PwC Canada

Dr. Vikramaditya Yadav with Biofoundry & University of British Columbia is one of Canada’s top biotechnologists and has made notable contributions to research, education, commercialization and regulation of synthetic biology.

Read Vikram’s bio here: https://canadastop40under40.com/honourees-2021.html

I am humbled and honoured to be recognized by Canada's Top 40 Under 40. I count Groucho Marx and Ralph Landau among my idols and both have made statements that aptly describe the true reasons for this accolade. Landau, arguably one of the greatest chemical engineers ever, once said “Luck beats brains all the time, and I have been a very lucky man”. My version of the quote has an addendum. “I have been lucky to be seated on the shoulders of giants, surrounded by great people”.

I owe an immense debt of gratitude to all my students, whose infectious enthusiasm to solve problems, often unconventionally, continues to invigorate and motivate me. To all my colleagues – a big thank you. You have provided me a stimulating environment to learn, grow and mature. Many individuals have shaped my thinking and work. My gurus, Prof. Gregory Stephanopoulos and Prof. Kristala Jones Prather, for teaching me how to formulate meaningful hypotheses and ask pertinent research questions. To my colleagues in the Chemical and Biological Engineering at UBC, notably Prof. Peter Englezos, Prof. Charles Haynes, Prof. Peter Zandstra, Prof. Naoko Ellis and Prof. David Wilkinson, for offering me advice and encouragement at every turn. To my teams at Metabolik Technologies, Tersa Earth and React Zero Carbon – thank you for joining hands to remediate the environment and reclaim the future. Excelsior!

I would also like to thank my family for their unwavering support and unconditional love. I am grateful to my parents, Prof. Ganapati Yadav and Dr. Vasanti Yadav, for inculcating a fearless curiosity in me. My brother, Dr. Gautam G. Yadav, for constantly pushing me and being a patient sounding board for my ideas. My beloved wife, Manali V. Yadav, for giving me strength during my lows and keeping me grounded during my highs. My two kids, Areen and Vivaan. You are my inspiration and motivation and you fill me with hope for the future.

And now, allow me to quote my second idol, Groucho Marx. The great sage is arguably history’s greatest fountainhead for unforgettable quotes. Here are two of my favourites. “If you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong” and “Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light.” Thank you for making my journey fun and putting up with my crazy ideas and whimsical solutions.

UBC Engineering's Vikram Yadav named one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40 Dr. Vikram Yadav, an associate professor of chemical and biological engineering and biomedical engineering at the University of British Columbia, has been named one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40 -- "the country's most coveted award for young business and ...

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