Recognized as an outstanding lecturer for his enthusiasm and teaching skills, Normand Voyer is a chemistry professor at Université Laval. In addition to his research into potential new therapeutics in the Arctic, he inspires young people to take up careers in chemistry.
Professor Voyer’s research focuses on organic, bioorganic and supramolecular chemistry. His current projects aim to discover new bioactive molecules derived from plants, lichens and northern micro-organisms. His numerous articles in prestigious journals have been widely cited, and his work is recognized internationally. He also serves on several evaluation committees and is a member of the editorial board of Supramolecular Chemistry.
As a radio and television commentator, Dr. Voyer has produced over 500 features on topics ranging from rust to mosquitos to snowflakes. He has presented his highly popular lecture, The Chemistry of Love, hundreds of times to some 65,000 people. He has also founded or co-founded various travelling activities to promote chemistry to the public.
Dr. Voyer received his PhD in organic chemistry from Université Laval in 1985, at which time he joined Professor D. J. Cram’s bio-organic chemistry research group at UCLA as a postdoctoral researcher. In 1988, he began his academic career at the Université de Sherbrooke, before returning to Laval in 1996, where he is currently a full professor and scientific director of the Centre for Northern Studies.
Professor Voyer has earned numerous awards and accolades for research excellence, including the ACFAS Urgel-Archambault Prize in 2019 and the 2023 SUMMA Research Prize from the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Université Laval. He was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Commemorative Medal in 2025.