Dr. Raymond Lemieux O.C., D.Sc., F.R.S. was likely the most influential, well respected, and world-re-known carbohydrate chemist in the last fifty years. Many of his pioneering efforts in carbohydrate chemistry research were years ahead of their time and brought the field into the mainstream of organic chemistry. His research helped establish the rapidly growing field of glycobiology, the chemistry and biology of medically important cell surface carbohydrates; he revealed how carbohydrates bind to proteins, a phenomenon crucial to everything from immunology to cancer.

Dr. Lemieux received a B.Sc in honours chemistry from the University of Alberta, followed by a Ph. D. from McGill University, after which he did post-doctoral studies in Saskatchewan. He later joined the Prairie Regional Laboratory of the National Research Council, where he became the first scientist to successfully synthesize sucrose in the laboratory.

Among many presitigious recognitions, Dr. Lemieux was the first recipient of the Canadian Gold Medal for Science and Engineering. Dr. Lemieux's scientific achievements in scientific publications in carbohydrate chemistry were matched only by his leadership and commitment to the development of a viable research-intensive industry in Alberta. He founded three companies - R&L Molecular Research (1963), Raylo Chemicals (1966) and Chembiomed Ltd. (1977).

In July 2000, Dr. Lemieux passed away, leaving behind a legacy of accomplishments and accolades.