A world-renowned scientist and Bermuda’s first woman premier will receive honorary degrees at the first of this spring’s convocation ceremonies. Notable individuals from the business world will also address the May assemblies.

 Dr. Alan Bernstein 

Alan Bernstein is an internationally renowned biomedical scientist whose career has included significant contributions to the study of cancer, the cardiovascular system, stem cell biology and the formation of blood cells. A visionary leader in his field, Dr. Bernstein is the founding president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), a position that enabled him to triple Canada’s overall budget for health research services, supporting more than 11,000 researchers and 700 Canada Research Chairs. He is also the inaugural executive director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, an alliance of independent organizations around the world dedicated to the development of a preventative HIV vaccine. He is currently the president and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. Dr. Bernstein has been a faculty member with the Ontario Cancer Institute and served as head of the Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology and director of research at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. He also served a term as medical research visiting professor at Queen’s University. Dr. Bernstein is an Officer of the Order of Canada and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and currently serves as a senior research fellow of Massey College, University of Toronto.

Dr. Bernstein will receive his honorary degree (D.Sc) on Thursday, May 23 at 2:30 pm in Grant Hall.

 Dame Pamela Gordon Banks 

Dame Pamela Gordon Banks (EMBA ’98) was Bermuda’s first woman premier and the youngest person to ever hold that position in the country’s four-century-long status as a British colony. She has been an articulate voice for women, worker’s rights and racial desegregation, who also worked to strengthen economic development and international trade in her country. Before becoming premier in 1997, Dame Pamela served as minister of youth, sport and recreation and minister of the environment, planning and recreation. As a member of Bermuda’s Boundaries Commission, she also helped spearhead the drive for electoral reform. She supported a movement to construct a women’s history museum and currently works with the Montpelier Foundation and other charitable organizations in Bermuda to improve children’s health and educational opportunities. Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, she was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in recognition of her record of exceptional public service. Dame Pamela earned an Executive MBA from the Queen’s School of Business in 1998. She currently serves on the Queen’s School of Business Global Council.

Dame Pamela Gordon Banks will receive her honorary degree (LL.D) on Friday, May 24 at 2:30 pm in Grant Hall.

Mike Durland (PhD ’91) is the group head and co-CEO of Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets, a role that sees him sharing responsibility for the overall management of Global Banking and Markets’ operations worldwide. For the last 15 years, Mr. Durland has been actively involved in the development, execution and management of Global Captial Markets’ strategy, risk, operations and human capital management. He also represents Global Capital Markets on key internal bank committees. He completed a PhD in finance and operations research at Queen’s University in 1991, and also holds an honorary doctorate from Saint Mary’s University (2010). Mr. Durland is a member of the Advisory Board for Queen’s School of Business and the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto.

Mr. Durland will address the convocation assembly as a Guest Speaker on Thursday, May 23 at 10:00 am in Grant Hall.

Dino Trevisani’s (EMBA ’09) career in financial services and management has spanned nearly 20 years. He is currently the managing director of IBM’s Citigroup account where he is responsible for the global sales and solutions team, partnering with Citigroup to provide IBM products and solutions for Citigroup’s global businesses. Mr. Trevisani, who first joined IBM Canada in 1997, also sits on the company’s top executive leadership committee, the Integration and Values team. He has also served as the vice-president of IBM’s Financial Services Sector in a number of regions across North America. Mr. Trevisani holds an Honors Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster University, and earned a joint Executive MBA from the Queen’s School of Business and Cornell University in 2009.

Mr. Trevisani will address the convocation assembly as a Guest Speaker on Friday, May 24 at 10:00 am in Grant Hall.

Convocation ceremonies will continue through June. Biographies for the honorary degree recipients and guest speakers for the June convocation ceremonies will be featured on the Queen’s News Centre in the upcoming weeks.