Alumni Profile: Allan Carswell
Engineering Alumni Hall of Distinction Award | Allan Carswell | EngPhys 5T6
Allan Carswell, an internationally renowned researcher and entrepreneur, has pushed the frontier of knowledge in laser applications.
A pioneer in lidar (laser radar), Allan has worked in the field since its budding days in the early 1960s. In 1974, he founded Optech Inc. to develop commercial systems based on lidar technology. Optech expanded under his leadership to its current position as the leading developer and manufacturer of commercial lidar systems worldwide. Allan’s expertise in lidar measurements led to his recruitment as Canadian Co-Investigator on the Science Team of NASA’s 2007 Mars PHOENIX mission that placed the first lidar on Mars.
In addition to his outstanding professional career, Allan’s involvement in community-related activities is equally impressive. An active volunteer in Scouts Canada and the Out of the Cold Program, he also served since 2001 as a board member for Toronto East General Hospital Foundation where he and his wife funded the construction of a 75-bed Complex Continuing Care facility. At Optech he also started the first fully licensed small business daycare in Canada. Other accomplishments include:
- Fellow of Royal Society of Canada, 1984
- Fellow of the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute, 1984
- President, Canadian Association of Physicists, 1985
- Vice President Canadian Academy of Science, 1998
- CAP-INO Medal for outstanding Achievement in Applied Photonics, 2002
- Member of the Order of Canada, 2005
- Town of Markham Achievement and Civic Recognition Award, 2005
- Canadian Space Agency John H. Chapman Award of Excellence, 2006
- Ernst & Young Ontario Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 2009
Engineering Alumni Hall of Distinction Award
The Hall of Distinction is an assembly of extraordinary alumni, with exceptional lifelong accomplishments. The careers of the Hall of Distinction members stand as examples and inspiration to successive generations of Engineering students. Located in the Sandford Fleming Building, the Hall is a familiar presence in the lives of students and is often visited by alumni and their families.
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