Our Alumni Award Winners

Beginning in 2017, the Department of Chemistry has solicited nominations for two UBC Chemistry alumni awards: the Alumni Award of Distinction Award and the Young Alumnus Award. Nominations are requested between September and October of each year and reviewed by the Alumni Awards Adjudication Committee in advance of our fall Alumni Event. Alumni Award winners are announced at our Fall Alumni event and the awards are presented at our Spring Alumni event.

All living UBC alumni are eligible. Posthumous nominations will not be considered.

Alumni Award of Distinction

This award recognizes an alumnus with an extended track-record of accomplishments that are of such excellence that they provide inspiration and leadership to students and other alumni. The recipient has shown significant leadership either in their professional career and/or community service.

Young Alumnus Award

This award recognizes a young alumnus whose accomplishments provide inspiration and leadership to students and other young alumni. The recipient has shown significant leadership either in their professional career and/or community service. To be eligible for this award, the nominee should be have received their BSc ≤ 15 years, their MSc ≤ 12 years, their PhD ≤ 10 years, or ≤ 5 years as a PDF (not including leaves).

UBC Alumni Builder Award

Created in 2017 as part of the 100th year of alumni UBC, the Alumni Builder Awards recognize a cross-section of alumni representing both campuses who have significantly contributed to the university and enriched the lives of others, and in doing so, have supported alumni UBC’s vision of a global alumni community for an exceptional UBC and a better world. The recipient has made significant contributions to the university; demonstrated leadership in the areas of volunteerism, philanthropy, advocacy, or community service beyond the performance of the individual’s normal duties or the exercise of the responsibilities of a profession to which that individual belongs; and in doing so, helped build stronger, more resilient UBC community through their contribution. The Department of Chemistry is proud to have two alumni members receive this award to date.

2025 Alumni Award Winners

Dr. Janet Ochola, PhD '18
Young Alumnus Award

Dr. Renata Oballa, BSc '89, PhD '95
Alumni Award of Distinction

Alumni Award of Distinction

Renata recently retired after 27 years as a Medicinal Chemist in the Pharmaceutical industry. Her last position was VP at Chinook Therapeutics, a company she co-founded and where she headed up the chemistry group, research operations and was the Vancouver site head. Chinook was acquired in 2023 by Novartis for their kidney assets. The research group at Chinook has recently spun out to form Borealis BioSciences and Renata is an advisor/consultant to this team.
Prior to Chinook, Renata was VP of Chemistry at Inception Sciences Canada where she and her team played a key role in the development of small molecule candidates for the treatment of AMD and oncology, including the acquisition of an HtrA1 development candidate by Iveric and the development of the EP2/EP4 dual antagonist TPST-1495 by Tempest. Previously, Renata was Director of Chemistry at Xenon Pharmaceuticals and Merck with expertise across multiple disease areas including pain, anti-infectives, diabetes and osteoporosis. She was a key contributor to the development of Odanacatib and the team lead responsible for MK-8245. Renata received her Ph.D. under the supervision of Dr. Edward Piers (UBC) and conducted post-doctoral research in the laboratory of Dr. Ian Paterson (University of Cambridge, UK).

Young Alumnus Award

Dr. Rispah Janet Ochola is a chemistry educator and researcher dedicated to inclusive and innovative approaches. Since 2018, she has been a Faculty Member in the Chemistry Department at Douglas College, teaching The Chemistry of Cooking, Introductory Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. Her research-based teaching strategies foster scientific literacy and critical thinking, while inspiring learners to view science as rigorous yet accessible and culturally relevant. Dr. Ochola earned her PhD in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia supervised by Dr. Michael Wolf, where her research advanced the understanding of photocatalytic reactions for organic synthesis and carbon dioxide conversion to fuels. Her current research continues to explore photocatalysis as a sustainable, light-driven approach to chemical processes. Beyond the classroom, she leads outreach programs that expand access to science education for underrepresented communities. She coordinates co-op placements for visiting secondary school students and organizes hands-on events, such as experiments with the Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS). As a BC Regional Node Ambassador for the Canadian Black Scientists Network (CBSN), she amplifies diversity in science through provincial engagement and national conferences. Through teaching, research, and community service, Dr. Ochola inspires and prepares the next generation of scientists.