Dr. Cyril M. Kay

Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry,
Department of Biochemistry
University of Alberta
Vice President, Research
The Alberta Cancer Board

As a pioneer in biochemistry, Dr. Cyril Kay, a Member of the Order of Canada (1995), has had an impact on many researchers and universities in Canada and around the globe. His distinguished career at the University of Alberta spans almost five decades. Both within and outside of the science and technology community he has earned a solid reputation as a skilled scientist, a visionary and a builder. 

A Calgary native, Dr. Kay graduated from McGill University in 1952 with a B.Sc. in Biochemistry, earned his Ph.D. in 1956 from Harvard University and trained with a post doctoral fellowship in Biochemistry at Cambridge University. In 1958, he started at the University of Alberta as an Assistant Professor. By 1967 he was a full Professor. His research work is in the area of physical biochemistry and has focused mainly on the structure-function relationships of muscle and calcium binding proteins.  

From 1974 until 1995, Dr. Kay was Co-Director of the Medical Research Council (MRC) Group on Protein Structure and Function. This collaborative research group achieved many notable research accomplishments including contributions to the understanding of the chemistry, structure and function of proteins in both muscle and non-muscle systems. For this role Dr. Kay earned the Distinguished Scientist award from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta on the 75th anniversary of the medical school. 

Dr. Kay was also a founding member of the Protein Engineering Network of Centres of Excellence (PENCE), a scientific alliance of more than 60 researchers from across Canada. These leaders were brought together for their expertise in protein chemistry and their ability to interact with industry, government and academe.