Internationally recognized as one of Canada's leading metallurgical engineers, Dr. Indira V. Samarasekera advises clients on mining, oil and gas, and environmental matters.
Dr. Samarasekera has been awarded the E.W.R. Steacie Fellowship (1991), the Peter Lougheed award for leadership in public policy and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012). She is an Officer of the Order of Canada (2002) and a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Engineering (2014).
A former president and vice-chancellor of the University of Alberta (2005-2015), Dr. Samarasekera has honorary degrees from the University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo, Queen's University Belfast, University of Montréal and the University of Western Ontario.
Dr. Samarasekera is a member of the board of directors for Scotiabank and Magna International, and a member of the advisory board for Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year award. She serves on the boards of the Asia-Pacific Foundation and the Rideau Hall Foundation. Dr. Samarasekera is a Distinguished Fellow in Residence at the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University of British Columbia.