André E. Lalonde Explained

André E. Lalonde (1955–2012) was a Canadian geologist and former dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Ottawa.

Early life and education

Lalonde was born in Ottawa in 1955. He studied geology at the University of Ottawa, getting his BSc in 1978. He then completed his MSc and PhD at McGill University under Robert F. Martin.^[1]

Career

After getting his degree, he took a position at McGill, but soon returned to teach at the University of Ottawa, beginning in 1985. He was known for being a very good teacher, being named teacher of the year by the Faculty of Science on multiple occasions. He was named dean of the Faculty of Science in 2006.^[2] As dean, Lalonde lobbied heavily to get the Advanced Research Complex built, and oversaw the hiring of 30 additional professors.

He served as associate editor of Canadian Mineralogist from 2003 to 2006. The mineral lalondite (a phyllosilicate) is named after him.^[3]

Lalonde died in 2012 of cancer. The André E. Lalonde Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Laboratory is named after him.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Rocks and Minerals Magazine -- May-June 2013. Rocks and Minerals Magazine - Taylor & Francis. 9 May 2013. rocksandminerals.org. 27 June 2015.
2. Web site: André E. Lalonde appointed dean of Faculty of Science - Media releases and announcements - University of Ottawa. Communications Directorate, University of Ottawa. uottawa.ca. 27 June 2015.
3. Web site: Lalondeite. mindat.org. 27 June 2015.
4. Web site: Tribute to André E. Lalonde. uottawa.ca. 27 June 2015.