Dr. John Gunn Honoured with Sudbury Community Builders Award

November 13, 2026 — Laurentian University is proud to celebrate Dr. John Gunn, Professor Emeritus in Stressed Aquatic Systems and former Canada Research Chair, who received the Environment award at the 2026 Sudbury.com Community Builders Awards on November 5. The awards recognize individuals and organizations making a lasting impact across Greater Sudbury.

Dr. Gunn arrived in Sudbury in 1978 to work for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. He moved onto Laurentian’s campus as a government scientist through a cooperative research partnership in 1989 before joining the University as a Canada Research Chair in 2003.

“I’ve been fortunate to have a varied career that is always dealing with building partnerships,” said Dr. Gunn.

His research helped bring Sudbury’s environmental recovery story to the world. A paper published in Nature in 1990 provided evidence that fish populations and lakes could recover following reductions in industrial emissions. Dr. Gunn recalls that research from this period helped inform discussions leading to the 1991 Canada–United States Air Quality Agreement.

He also brought together 18 faculty and other staff members to contribute to Restoration and Recovery of an Industrial Region (1995), documenting Sudbury’s environmental recovery, and helped lead the development and fundraising for Laurentian’s Vale Living with Lakes Centre.

For Dr. Gunn, helping train hundreds of students through freshwater research is among his most meaningful contributions. Many became wonderful teachers and researchers at many schools and universities, including at Laurentian. Student photographs and theses displayed at the Centre reflect generations of research and collaboration.

Although retired, he continues to support faculty recruitment and community initiatives, including a mayoral task force focused on land and water protection and efforts to carry forward Dr. Jane Goodall’s messages of hope in Sudbury.

His advice to future researchers and community builders is to share their talents, pursue opportunities, and build connections beyond familiar circles.

“Don’t hide your talents,” said Dr. Gunn. “Talk to the leadership.”

He also sees celebrating students’ and colleagues’ achievements as essential to strengthening the university community.

“The more that we can promote excellence, the better for everybody.”