Awards
summit award® recipients
The Alberta Ingenuity Fund
Research Excellence Award
Dr. GErard Lachapelle, P.Eng.
The award recognizes professionals in academia or industry who have conducted innovative research in engineering, geology or geophysics that has been successfully applied to improve our economic and social well-being.
Dr. Gérard Lachapelle, P.Eng., has performed pioneering and internationally recognized work related to the development of new technologies and novel applications of the Global Positioning System (GPS), a complex satellite system used for precise location, navigation and positioning. He is a leader in the development, dissemination and commercialization of these technologies in Alberta and internationally.
After receiving his doctorate from the Technical University at Graz, Austria, in 1975, Dr. Lachapelle returned to Canada and worked in the field of geodesy with the Federal government. His involvement with GPS development and applications began in the 1980s when he moved to Calgary and became involved with the very early GPS research and development efforts in Alberta that led to the growth of this technology in the province. In 1988, he joined the University of Calgary, where he is currently a Professor in the Department of Geomatics Engineering and holds a Canada Research Chair/iCORE Chair in Wireless Location. Under his leadership and direction, his research team has developed numerous innovative GPS applications, algorithms and signal processing methods, many of which are now embedded in GPS software and commercialized around the world.
Over the past 18 years, more than 15 invention disclosures have been made to the University of Calgary. These inventions consist of advanced and complex algorithms to improve navigation satellite signal tracking and the major performance parameters of navigation and wireless location: accuracy, availability and reliability. Dr. Lachapelle’s research projects directly contribute to a wide range of commercial applications across industrial sectors, ranging from natural resource management, agriculture and multi-model transportation, to wellness and recreational activities.
Dr. Lachapelle has also played a major role in the mentoring, training and education of engineering students, scientists and professionals in state-of-the-art GPS technology. Many high-quality researchers are attracted to Alberta to study in his research group. He has also taught over 2,500 professionals through short courses in North America and many European countries during the past 20 years. Dr. Lachapelle’s sustained, significant and innovative leadership has resulted in Alberta becoming one of the world’s industrial and academic centres of excellence in GPS and related geomatics technologies.
Honours, Awards and Distinctions
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Alberta Centennial Medal (2005)
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Schulich School of Engineering Graduate Education Award, U of C (2005)
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Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology, The Alberta Science and Technology (ASTech) Leadership Foundation (2004)
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Research Excellence Award, Faculty of Engineering (now the Schulich School of Engineering) U of C (2004; 1998)
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Research Excellence Award in Geomatics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering (now the Schulich School of Engineering) U of C (2004; 1998; 1995)
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APEGGA Frank Spragins Technical Summit Award® (2000)
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Terra Award, Canadian Institute of Geomatics (1994)
Professional Affiliations and Activities
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Fellow, Royal Institute of Navigation, U.K. (2006)
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Fellow, The Institute of Navigation, U.S. (2003)
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Fellow, Canadian Academy of Engineering (2003)
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Fellow, Royal Society of Canada (2002)
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Canada Research Chair (2001-2008) and iCORE Chair (2001-2010) in Wireless Location
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Fellow, International Association of Geodesy (1991)
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Member, APEGGA (1984-present)