Honorary Members of the NSIS

Dr. John Young has made outstanding contributions to science in Nova Scotia and beyond for more than 50 years. His academic contributions in mathematics and chemistry extend over 75 years! One of his many notable impacts was pioneering a computer-linked chemistry teaching laboratory at Saint Mary’s University and at the National Teacher Training Institute in The Gambia, West Africa in 1997. In addition to many years of successful and well recognized teaching, John has been a prolific researcher and publisher. In recent years his research has focused on improving standard chemical assessments and analytical tests; the results of which have been published in Chemistry Educator and widely read. He published three papers in his 95^th year (2023)! During his time at Saint Mary’s University, John has held a wide spectrum of administrative roles, including acting Academic Vice President and as a member of the Executive and Finance Committees of SMU’s Board of Governors. He is a member of the NSIS and was a member of the NSIS Council from 2011 to 2017.

Regarding his education and employment, John taught Mathematics during military service to the British Army’s Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in 1949-50. He received a BSc in Chemical Engineering (First Class Honours) in 1953 from the Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London, England; a PhD in 1956, also from Imperial College, and a MBA (with Distinction) in 1965 from New York University’s Graduate School of Business Administration.

John then worked as a Research Engineer for Courtaulds Ltd. in England on fibre chemistry and for the South African Industrial Development Corporation on pulp research before moving to Canada for Canadian Industries, Millhaven, on yarn fault detection. He was subsequently employed by the Esso Research and Engineering Company in Linden and Florham Park, New Jersey from 1961 to 1969. In 1970 he was appointed as Computerization Consultant to President Henry Labelle at Saint Mary’s University with an attachment to the Chemistry Department, where he soon became an Associate Professor. This was the start of his long academic career in Nova Scotia, during which he has received many awards for research, teaching and student development. John was promoted to the rank of full professor in 1980, became a Professor Emeritus upon his “retirement” in 1996 and received the SMU President’s Award for Excellence in Research in that year.